Scam callers often use clever tactics to steal Social Security benefits, causing significant harm to unsuspecting victims. These criminals pose as government officials, convincing people to share personal information by claiming there are issues with their Social Security accounts. They may threaten legal action or arrest, creating panic and urgency.
Understanding the common prompts and tricks they use is crucial to protecting your identity and benefits from these deceptive schemes. Taking some reference from AARP’s research report on how to avoid common social security scams, we’ve compiled a list of some usual prompts these scammers use to steal your benefits.
“This is the Social Security Administration Calling”
Scammers often pose as the Social Security Administration (SSA) and claim they have detected suspicious activity with your Social Security number to create a sense of urgency and fear. This prompt is designed to make you panic and act quickly without thinking. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this year more than 35,000 people in the US have actually reported scammers pretending to be from the SSA. These reports also indicate that nearly $10 million was lost due to these imposter scams. Always remember that the SSA will not call you out of the blue to ask for personal information or threaten you.
“Your Social Security Number Has Been Linked To a Crime”
Scammers frequently tell people that their Social Security number has been linked to a crime, aiming to scare them into sharing personal details or making payments. This tactic makes victims believe they are in serious legal trouble. Their usual prompt is, “To avoid arrest, you need to verify your identity”, which generally leads to a lot of identity theft. In 2023, The FTC received 5.39 million consumer reports of which 19% were for identity theft involving social security numbers.
“There is a Problem with Your Social Security Benefits”
Scammers often claim there’s a problem with your Social Security benefits to trick you into giving them your Social Security number. This prompt is designed to make you worry about losing your benefits, pushing you to respond quickly without verifying the caller’s legitimacy. In 2020, the Social Security Office (SSA) of the Inspector General received nearly 718,000 complaints about such fraudulent calls. Always remember, that the SSA will never ask for your Social Security number over the phone to fix an issue with your benefits.
“Your Social Security Benefits Will be Suspended”
Scammers often say your Social Security benefits will be suspended unless you confirm your personal information to create fear and urgency. They hope you will quickly share your Social Security number and other details to avoid losing your benefits. These prompts are designed to make you act without thinking. The SSA will never threaten to suspend your benefits or ask for personal information over the phone. If you receive such a call, it’s important to hang up and contact the SSA directly.
“We need to update your Social Security records, Please verify your details”
Scammers often claim they need to update your Social Security records and ask you to verify your details, aiming to steal your personal information. This tactic preys on the fear of having incorrect records, which could affect your benefits. These calls create a sense of urgency, making you feel compelled to respond immediately. If you receive such a call, do not provide any details and contact the SSA directly through official channels.
“To avoid interruption of your benefits, you need to pay a fee”
Scammers often tell people that to avoid interruption of their Social Security benefits, they need to pay a fee. This trick creates fear of losing essential income, pushing victims to act quickly and pay the supposed fee. Fraudsters using this tactic caused significant losses, with millions of dollars stolen each year. In reality, the Social Security Administration (SSA) never requires payment to maintain benefits. Always remember, if someone calls asking for payment to keep your benefits, it’s a scam.
“We have noticed unusual activity on your Social Security account”
This is one of the most common prompts used by the Scammers to trick you into revealing your personal information. This statement is meant to alarm you and make you think your account is at risk, pushing you to act quickly. There were nearly 1.4 million reports of such identity theft cases in 2021, many involving Social Security numbers, as per the FTC. These scammers might claim that your number has been used for fraudulent purposes, hoping to get you to provide personal details.
“You are Eligible For an Increase in Your Social Security Benefits”
Scammers sometimes tell people they are eligible for an increase in their Social Security benefits to trick them into sharing personal information. This promise of more money is designed to catch your interest and make you act quickly without verifying the caller’s legitimacy. These scammers often ask for your Social Security number and banking details, claiming they need this information to process the increase.
“Your benefits have been flagged for review. Verify your details now”
This tactic creates urgency and fear, prompting victims to share personal information quickly. Personal information on Social security numbers of common people are always at the risk of being misused by fraudsters or scamsters due to several breaches. As per a Cybersecurity magazine report, social security numbers were exposed in 69% of breaches in 2023. When you get a call like this, chances are you might end up confirming sensitive details related to your account.
“Reactivate Your Social Security number”
This scare tactic is designed to create a sense of urgency and panic, making you more likely to comply without thinking. On this call, they will try to convince you to provide your personal and financial details immediately for the re-activation process. The scammers use this ploy to steal your identity and financial information. SSA will never call you to reactivate your Social Security number.
“There is a Discrepancy in your Social Security Records”
Scammers frequently say there’s a discrepancy in your Social Security records, urging you to contact them immediately to avoid penalties. This strategy is designed to create anxiety and make you act fast without thinking. Their goal is to scare you into revealing personal details, like your Social Security number, which can be used for identity theft. Always remember, if there is indeed such a discrepancy, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will typically mail you for information.