New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a warning to residents about Social Security-related scams in conjunction with National Slam the Scam Day. This initiative, supported by the Social Security Administration (SSA), aims to raise awareness about fraudulent activities targeting Social Security recipients.
Attorney General James highlighted the vulnerability of Social Security recipients to these scams, which often involve deceptive tactics to obtain sensitive information such as Social Security and bank account numbers. She urged New Yorkers who suspect they may have fallen victim to such scams to report their experiences online or via phone at 800-771-7755.
"Taking advantage of vulnerable seniors to steal their hard-earned Social Security is downright cruel," stated Attorney General James. "On National Slam the Scam Day, I urge everyone to stay informed, recognize the warning signs, and take steps to protect themselves. If you receive an unexpected call, email, or message asking for your Social Security or banking information, hang up, report it, and slam the scam."
Scammers commonly pose as SSA officials, claiming that a recipient's Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity or requiring confirmation of personal details under threat of arrest or benefits loss. Other tactics include demanding fees via wire transfer, prepaid gift card, or cryptocurrency; promising prizes contingent on upfront payments; pretending to be distressed relatives in need of urgent financial assistance; and pressuring victims into immediate action.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) advises individuals to verify unexpected requests by contacting relatives using known numbers and warns against trusting caller ID numbers without verification. They also caution against wire transfers and gift cards for payment since scammers favor these methods due to their difficulty in tracing. Additionally, it's important to note that government agencies like the IRS and SSA do not accept gift cards as payment.
Typically, the SSA does not make unsolicited phone calls. Therefore, any callers claiming association with this agency should be treated with suspicion. The OAG urges those who suspect fraudulent activity not only to refrain from providing personal information but also to report any suspected scams immediately through an online complaint with OAG's Bureau of Consumer Frauds.