Scams targeting Social Security benefits are increasingly common, often preying on individuals who contributed to these systems. If you haven’t heard, you might be asking, what is the ‘Slam the Scam’ campaign? It’s an effort by the Social Security Administration to combat Social Security Scams by providing you with the knowledge and tools you need to combat fraud and safeguard your financial future. Let’s take a closer look.
The Vital Role of ‘Slam the Scam’
The Social Security Administration (SSA) began the Slam the Scam campaign in 2020 to empower individuals to identify, report, and prevent scams. The program uses collaboration with law enforcement and proactive measures to educate consumers. The program was launched in response to the escalating sophistication of scams that impact your finances and erode trust in vital safety measures.
A Day to Combat Social Security Scams
National ‘Slam the Scam’ Day has been celebrated on the first Thursday of March during National Consumer Protection Week for the past couple of years. The success of the program in raising awareness in previous years has resulted in an expansion of the program. This year, the program will include webinars and social media chat sessions to raise awareness of the program.
The battle to combat Social Security scams is an ongoing effort that evolves each year as scammers’ tactics evolve. The program now includes strategic collaborations to share intelligence and develop tailored educational content. The collaborations include other government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. The program’s primary purpose is to increase awareness about government imposter scams and help people avoid becoming a victim.
What’s the best way to avoid a scam?
Understanding how scammers operate is the first line of defense. From phishing for personal info to pressuring individuals into rash decisions, their methods hinge on exploiting human psychology. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution, according to Inspector General Ennis. “As we continue working with our law enforcement partners and partners from the private sector to combat these sinister schemes, I urge consumers to simply hang up the phone, or delete suspicious texts and emails, without responding to the scammers.”
By staying vigilant and informed, you can help in this nationwide effort to ‘Slam the Scam’ once and for all. If you find that you’ve become the victim of a scam, you can report Social Security scams and fraud online at https://oig.ssa.gov. You can report other government imposter scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
Did you miss last month’s scam tip? If so, you can find it at Not That Into You: Avoiding Romance Scams, Even If You’re Not Dating. Or, check out all my scam tips here.
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