Slam the Scam 2024

March 7^th, 2024 is designated by Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General as “National Slam the Scam Day” to raise public awareness of government imposter telephone scams across the U.S.  Learn how to spot scams, identify red flags, and report suspicious activity.

These scams feature callers who pretend to be government employees to mislead victims into providing personal information or making payments. Scammers are counting on you being uninformed of their deceptive tactics so that you will fall prey to their ruses. Don’t let it happen. 

What to Watch For:

Phone Scammers May:

• Threaten arrest or legal action against you unless you pay a fine.
• Promise to increase your benefits or resolve identity theft if you pay a fee.
• Demand payment with retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
• Try to convince you by using spooked caller ID number or officials’ real names, or by emailing.

What to Do:

If you receive a suspicious phone call:

• Hang up!
• Don’t believe them!
• Don’t trust your Caller ID.
• Do not give them money or personal information!
• Never pay with a gift card or wire transfer.
• Report the scam at ssa.gov

Real government officials will NEVER:

• threaten arrest or legal action against you unless you immediately send money;
• promise to increase your benefits or resolve a problem if you pay a fee or move your money into a protected account;
• require payment with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfer, Internet currency, or by mailing cash; or
• try to gain your trust by providing fake “documentation,” false “evidence,” or the name of a real government official.

Report all the scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov