5 Lies Scammers Tell (And How to Shut Them Down)

Social Security scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick people into giving away their money and personal information. They rely on fear, confusion, and urgency to make their lies believable. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to fall for their schemes! By learning these tips for avoiding Social Security scams, you can protect yourself and help others do the same.

This Slam the Scam Day (March 6), take a few minutes to empower yourself with the knowledge to spot fraud. Below, we’ve outlined five lies scammers often use and tips for shutting them down.

Lie #1: “You owe a fine or unpaid debt to Social Security, and you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay now.”

Scammers love to use fear as a weapon. They may call pretending to be an official from the Social Security Administration (SSA), claiming you owe money due to unpaid fines or debts. Their call might even sound legitimate, with fake case numbers and threats of legal action or arrest.

How to Shut It Down

• Don’t panic. The SSA will never threaten you with arrest or demand immediate payment.
• Hang up immediately. Do not stay on the line to argue or explain yourself.
• Report the call. You can report suspicious calls directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.

Lie #2: “Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity.”

This scam works by creating a sense of urgency. The caller might say your Social Security number (SSN) is compromised and that you need to verify it to avoid further problems.

How to Shut It Down

• Know this: SSNs do not get suspended—this is a scare tactic.
• Do not share your SSN or personal details. Legitimate agencies will never ask for this information over the phone.
• Verify independently. If you’re concerned, contact the SSA directly at their official website.

Lie #3: “You need to pay a fee to reactivate your Social Security benefits.”

Scammers often try to convince people that their benefits will be stopped unless they make a payment. They’ll claim the payment is necessary to “fix” the issue and may ask for credit card information, gift cards, or wire transfers.

How to Shut It Down

• Remember: The SSA does not charge fees for handling benefits—period.
• Refuse to pay. Don’t send money or provide your banking details to anyone claiming this.
• Report the scam. Learn how to avoid these tricks by visiting the SSA’s page on protecting your benefits.

Lie #4: “We’re calling from the SSA and need to verify your information to process a problem with your account.”

This type of scam targets those who might not know how the SSA operates. The scammer might use a faked caller ID showing “Social Security,” making their pitch seem authentic.

How to Shut It Down

• Decline to provide sensitive information. The SSA does not request full SSNs or bank details over the phone.
• Verify independently. Hang up and call the SSA directly at their official phone number to confirm if there’s a real issue.
• Educate others. Share tips with family and friends to avoid falling for similar schemes. You can also visit the SSA’s fraud prevention page for more guidance.

Lie #5: “You’ll lose your benefits if you don’t respond immediately.”

Scammers love to create pressure by making you think you’re running out of time. They may claim your benefits are at risk unless you act right away.

How to Shut It Down

• Take a breath. The SSA communicates official information through mailed letters—not urgent phone calls, emails, or texts.
• End the call. Don’t give in to their sense of urgency.
• Spread awareness. The more people know about these tactics, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed. Direct them to resources like StopFraud.gov.

Tips for Avoiding AI Scams

Scammers are now using AI to make Social Security fraud more convincing and harder to spot. From fake voices to realistic emails, their tricks are getting more advanced. Here are some common tactics they use:

• Voice cloning to sound like real officials.
• Realistic phishing emails, texts, or deepfake videos to gain trust.
• Fake websites and chatbots to steal personal information.
• Spoofed caller IDs to make scam calls look official.

Be Part of the Solution

Scammers are relentless, but they thrive on a lack of awareness. The more informed you are, the more equipped you’ll be to counter their lies—and help others do the same. Remember, reporting suspicious activity to the SSA and sharing these tips for avoiding scams on Slam the Scam Day are small steps that can make a big difference.

Stay safe, stay informed, and don’t give scammers a chance! By the way, did you see last month’s scam tip, Los Angeles Fires Lead to Scam Risk. Check it out and spread the word!

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