Social Security Administration Press Release
Thursday, March 6, 2025
For Immediate Release
Social Security and OIG Partner for National Slam the Scam Day,
Collaborating to Warn about SSA Impersonation Scams
The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) join forces once again to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the sixth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 6. Social Security related scams–where fraudsters mislead victims into sharing personal information, or making cash, wire transfer, or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems –are an ongoing government imposter fraud scheme.
Social Security impersonation scams impact all age groups and remain one of the most common government imposter scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Social Security continues to make concerted efforts to address this issue, through extensive outreach and investigative initiatives.
“I strongly urge our citizens to be vigilant and protect themselves from criminal threats,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Scammers use fear and pressure to steal money or personal information and I implore Americans to hang up, ignore the messages, and report any scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.”
Social Security will never tell you that your Social Security number is suspended; will never contact you to demand an immediate payment; will never threaten you with arrest; will never ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone; will never request gift cards, wire transfers, gold, cash, or cryptocurrency; and will never promise a Social Security benefit approval or benefit increase in exchange for information or money.
Criminals use sophisticated tactics to trick potential victims into disclosing personal and financial information. Be skeptical and on the lookout for these red flags: typically, they use these P’s – Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, and Payment. For example, scammers pretend they are from Social Security in phone calls, texts, emails, websites, or direct messages on social media, and claim there is a problem with the person’s Social Security benefits or Social Security number. The scammer’s caller ID may be spoofed to look like a legitimate government number. Scammers may also send fake documents to pressure people into complying with demands for information or money. Other common tactics include citing “badge numbers,” using fraudulent Social Security letterhead, and creating imposter social media pages to target individuals for payment or personal information.
“Slam the Scam is one of our most effective anti-fraud measures and we are excited to spearhead the 6th National Slam the Scam Day. This campaign is just as significant as our first one because the losses are still too high and the number of consumers being scammed is still very concerning,” said Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General, Michelle L. Anderson.
Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
Beware of new scams related to the Social Security Fairness Act. For information, please visit Social Security Announces Expedited Retroactive Payments and Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions and Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) update .
To report a scam attempt, go to oig.ssa.gov.
For more information, please visit www.ssa.gov/scam and www.ssa.gov/fraud.
To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on X @SSAPress.
A “Code Blue” declaration will be in effect for Bucks County through Saturday, Feb. 22, in response to a forecasted stretch of cold weather.
Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will open Monday evening and will remain in operation through Saturday morning.
The following shelters have been activated for this “Code Blue” event:
Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
Doylestown Presbyterian Church
148 N. Church St
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.dtownpc.org
Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
Calvary Baptist Church (Inside gym)
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org
The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.
The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.
Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.
A ‘Code Blue’ declaration will be in effect for Bucks County through Friday, January 24, 2025, in response to several forecasted days of extreme cold.
Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will remain in operation nightly through Friday, Jan. 24.
The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:
Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
Our Lady of Guadalupe
5194 Cold Spring Creamery Road
Doylestown, PA 18902
www.olguadalupe.org
Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
Woodside Church
1667 Edgewood Road
Yardley, PA 19067
www.woodside-church.org
The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.
The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.
Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.
Republic Services closed on Monday, 1/20/25, due to the snow and will be operating on a one-day delay for the rest of week.