Slam the Scam Day is part of National Consumer Protection Week, an event that puts a spotlight on scam prevention.
Seniors are more likely to be targeted by scammers. They receive Social Security, which is a program that scammers attempt to game and exploit constantly. In addition, they may also have more in savings, making them a target for various forms of financial fraud.
This day of awareness is the perfect opportunity to discuss how scams typically work and how to protect yourself.
How to Slam the Scam: A Guide to Spotting and Preventing Fraud
Almost all Social Security and financial scams operate on the same premise. The goal is usually to get the victim to hand over personal information, money, or physical goods. Scammers orchestrate their efforts using a variety of cunning tactics, including:
- Using data they’ve gathered from you via social media or broker sites
- Spoofing identities using fake numbers, AI voices, or deepfake videos
- Threatening that you’re in legal trouble or owe taxes or other payments
- Claiming your Social Security number is suspended or compromised
- Saying you have unclaimed benefits or tax refunds they’re trying to give you
These are just some of the ways scammers try to defraud their victims. How can you protect yourself? As a general rule, never send money, goods, or information to someone you don’t know. What happens if you get a communication from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your bank, or another organization that you worry may be real?
End the communication first, and then contact the organization in question directly. This will allow you to determine whether the communication is legitimate. You can also report Social Security scam attempts at this link, or by phone at (800) 269-0271.
Here at The Seniors Center, we publish content every week spotlighting new scams, reminding you of old ones, and providing resources you can use to protect yourself and others.
Help The Seniors Center Protect the Future of Social Security
The Seniors Center is committed to finding solutions to strengthen and protect the Social Security Trust Fund. Social Security is a contract between citizens and the government. Money deposited in the Trust Fund should only be used to pay benefits to eligible recipients.
The Seniors Center is demanding Congress finally put a stop to the careless borrowing and spending by greedy politicians that has put our Trust Fund and our secure retirement in jeopardy.
At The Seniors Center, our goal is to help seniors, and we’re doing that by protecting the future of Social Security. Retirees shouldn’t have to worry about losing their hard-earned benefits to taxes or the agendas of greedy politicians. If you agree, we invite you to sign our petition today! And follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!
