Throughout the year, AgeWell educates older adults about scams and helps provide the education and tools needed to prevent additional victims. This month, on National Slam the Scam Day, we share the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) tips for keeping your money and personal information safe. Slam the scam!

Four Basic Scam Signs:

• Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration. They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.
• Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase
• Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.
• Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

Ignore scammers and report criminal behavior. Report Social Security-related scams to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at secure.ssa.gov. 

Source: AgeWell Middle Tennessee