Did you know that there is a National Consumer Protection Week? Well I didn't either until I got an email from the Social Security Administration. Apparently, National Consumer Protection Week is the first week in March, every March. Who knew? As part of this National Protection week, the Social Security Administration published an article called Slam the Scam Day which is set for March 5th for the year of 2026.

So, what are these Social Security-Related Scams? Here's their list:

• Criminals try to impersonate SSA and other government agencies in an attempt to obtain personal information or money.
• Scammers might call, email, text, write, or message you on social media claiming to be from the SSA or the Office of the Inspector General. They even might use the name of a person who really works there and might send a picture or attachment as "proof".
• Know that Social Security employees do no contact the public by telephone for business purposes. If there is a problem with a person's Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.

How can you tell if you are being scammed or not? There are four basic signs of a scam:

• Scammers pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain your trust.
• Scammers say there is a problem or a prize.
• Scammers pressure you to act immediately.
• Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way.

What tactics have scammers been know to use?

• They might threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don't agree to pay money immediately.
• They indicate they will 'Suspend your Social Security number'.
• They might claim to need personal information or payment to activate a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or other benefit increase.
• They will pressure you to take immediate action, including sharing personal information.
• They might ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or by mailing cash.
• They might threaten to seize your bank account.
• They might offer to move your money to a 'protected' bank account.
• They most likely will demand secrecy.

How to avoid a scam!

• Remain calm! Sound simple, but it can be stressful when you receive that phone call. SSA recommends you take a deep breath and talk to someone you trust.
• Hang up or ignore the message. Also do not click on any links or attachments if you get an email message.
• Protect your money. Scammers will insist that you pay them with one of the tools indicated in the tactics section above (e.g. gift card, wire or money transfer, etc.)
• Spread the word that someone tried to scam you. Tell your extended family and closest friends.
• Report the scam to the Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.

What to do if you were or are scammed.

• Stop contact with the scammer. Do not talk to them or respond to their message.
• Co not blame yourself. Criminal behavior is not your fault.
• Notify the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
• Protect your social security number. Check out this document from the SSA located here: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf
• Request a replacement SSN card or new SSN, if necessary. Here's where: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card

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