Social Security scams

Social Security identified nearly 63,000 likely fraudulent online benefit applications in fiscal 2018. Meanwhile, there has been huge growth in Social Security imposter scams, in which fraudsters claiming to be Social Security staffers contact victims--often via robocalls--and try to extract money or personal details. More than 35,000 people reported such scams in 2018, according to the Federal Trade Commission, up from 3,200 a year earlier. What should current and future beneficiaries do? Although it's not a 100% fix, register your My Social Security account before somebody else does it for you. Log on regularly to check for suspicious activity. For an additional layer of protection, add "extra security" to your My Social Security account. This process ties the account to your address and credit card or other financial information, and it is the best defense available at this time. You can also block electronic access to your Social Security record at www.socialsecurity.gov/blockaccess. This prevents anyone--including you--from viewing or changing your personal information through Social Security's website or automated phone line. If you later need to access your information, you can remove the block after confirming your identity with Social Security.

When being approached on the phone, hang up and call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a real Social Security representative.