• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
  • ChatGPT
    • Does ChatGPT Save Data?
AskCyber Home » News » News » Social Security Scam Spoofs Government ID

Social Security Scam Spoofs Government ID

2021-03-08 by Michelle Dvorak

SSA Text Message Scam

SMS Text Used as New Tactic for Government Imposters Says IG

Note: We may earn a commission from products or services when you click on a link and make a purchase.

The Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA) says that a new Social Security scam is making the rounds. In this scam, fraudsters use fake government ID badges to trick victims into sending them money.

The fake badges spoof government employee access badges used to get into buildings. They may use official logos and current employee names.

This scam involves fraudsters sending SMS text messages to victims to convince them that they are government employees working for SSA. The text messages contain an image of the imposter government badges.

RELATED FTC Impersonation Scam Steals Money from Consumers

“The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received reports of phone scammers creating fake versions of the identification badges most Federal employees use to gain access to Federal buildings,” says Gail S. Ennis the Inspector General for SSA in a press release.

Part of makes this Social Security scam scary is that the forged ID badges may use names and photos of actual government employees.

Scammers glean real employee names from government websites. They can then use social media sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, or other public websites to grab a photo to use on the ID badge.

SMS Text Scams

According to SSA, the agency does use SMS text messages as a form of communication, but only when someone has opted into receiving texts. And even then, they are used for two-factor authentication (2FA) and for updates and notifications.

Potential victims are informed that there is a problem with their Social Security number or account.

Scammers often scare benefit recipients or even threaten them to get them to send money. They may tell the victim that their Social Security number will be suspended unless they pay a fine immediately.

READ IRS Warns of Tax ID Number Scam

Scammers often demand payment with gift cards are prepaid debit cards to make their schemes hard to trace.

The US Social Security Administration does not take payment over the phone. The agency also does not accept wire transfers or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

How to Avoid a Social Security Scam

The US Social Security Administration will never suspend anyone’s Social Security Number.

US federal agencies, like SSA and the IRS, generally initiate contact using USPS Postal Mail. Government employees do not take payments over the phone.

  • Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited call informing you there is a problem with your Social Security number or another government account.
  • Never pay anyone with gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid payment cards, or cryptocurrency.
  • Do not send cash in the mail
  • Use an up-to-date antivirus app like Heimdel Security to help protect against phone phishing attacks.

“If there is a problem, we will mail you a letter. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us,” says SSA according to their website post.

If you receive a Social Security Scam call, hang up on the caller, and report it to the Office of the Inspector General.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Government

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version