Stay Alert: Protecting Yourself from Social Security Scams

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Scammers continue to impersonate government offices, threaten loss of benefits, and pressure individuals to quickly share personal information or send money. Your partnership is important in helping the people you serve recognize and avoid these scams. 

We encourage you to share two Social Security resources with your networks:  

Scam Awareness Materials for Groups and Organizations 

Our Scam Awareness Materials for Groups and Organizations webpage provides: 

• Examples of reported scams
• Tips for recognizing fraudulent communications
• Steps to take if someone has been targeted 
• Downloadable outreach materials for advocates and partners

my Social Security Accounts 

We also recommend reminding your clients about the benefits of creating and using a personal my Social Security account. A secure online account helps individuals:   

• Safely access their personal Social Security information 
• Review their earnings record and benefit estimates 
• Manage their benefits without relying on unsolicited contact
• Reduce their likelihood of engaging with fraudulent outreach or fake websites

By using an official my Social Security account, individuals gain a trusted, secure place to handle their information, making them less vulnerable to misinformation or impersonation attempts.  

How Advocates Can Help 

You can assist by:

• Encouraging people to rely on official SSA channels before responding to unexpected calls, emails, or texts
• Sharing SSA’s scam awareness webpage in your communications, workshops, and outreach
• Supporting individuals in setting up and understanding their my Social Security accounts
• Reporting suspicious activity to help strengthen nationwide monitoring

We appreciate all you do to protect the individuals we jointly serve. Your vigilance and outreach play a crucial role in ensuring beneficiaries remain informed and empowered.  Originally posted by York Region Chamber of Commerce via Locable