Today is “Slam the Scam Day”

On a day called Slam the Scam the Social Security Administration calls attention to imposters who pressure their victims into making cash or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems or to avoid arrest.  The SSA’s office of inspector general believes progress has been made to combat the fraudsters; nevertheless, this scheme remains common.  The scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls or emails and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security number.  The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number.  Social Security will never tell you that your number is suspended; contact you to demand an immediate payment; threaten you with arrest; ask for your credit card or debit card numbers over the phone; request gift cards or cash; or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information or money.