⚠ We are a PRIVATE company — NOT affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any Government agency. Insurance offers are provided through licensed third-party carriers; benefit approval and rates are determined solely by the applicable agency or insurer. ⚠ We are a PRIVATE company — NOT affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any Government agency. Insurance offers are provided through licensed third-party carriers; benefit approval and rates are determined solely by the applicable agency or insurer.
Stay Safe, Stay Informed

Protect Yourself From Scams & Fraud

Scammers often pretend to be banks, government agencies (including the Social Security Administration), tech support, or delivery companies. This guide covers the warning signs so you never lose money or personal information to a fraudster.

I Think I've Been Scammed See Common Scam Types
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Scam Types Covered
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Step Verify Method
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Never Share Your OTP
Never Grant Remote Access
Stop, Check, Verify
Report Immediately
Personal & Financial Information

Never Share This Information

No legitimate bank, government agency, or company will ever need to ask you for these things over the phone, by text, or by email. If someone asks, it's a scam.

✕

Bank account number, routing number, CVV, PIN, or ATM/debit/credit card details

✕

One-time passcodes (OTP), two-factor authentication codes, or banking passwords

✕

Online or mobile banking username and password

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Social Security number, driver's license, or other ID documents with unknown people

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Full photographs of your cards or screenshots of your banking apps

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Payment app QR codes (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App) when someone asks you to scan one to "receive" money

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Screen recordings or screenshots that show your banking information

Device Security

Never Give Anyone Remote Access

Once a stranger controls your screen, they can see everything and move your money before you notice.

Person using a laptop and phone together

Never install or allow access through:

AnyDesk TeamViewer UltraViewer Remote Desktop apps Any unknown screen-share tool

A scammer may say something like:

"I need to check your computer to process your refund/payment/account."

Do not allow it. Legitimate banks and government agencies generally do not need an unknown caller to take control of your computer or phone.

Impersonation

Beware of Fake Calls & Messages

Be suspicious of anyone contacting you out of the blue and claiming to be from one of these organizations:

🏦Bank employees
🛡️Social Security Administration
🚔Police / Sheriff's office
🏛️Government officials
📋IRS agents
📶Phone/internet providers
📦Courier & delivery companies
☎️Customer-care representatives
📈Investment/crypto companies
💼Job recruiters
🛍️Online shopping companies
Never trust a caller simply because they know your name, address, or other personal details — scammers often already have this information.

Scammers evolve constantly — knowing their playbook is your best defense

Here are the most common tricks used to steal money and information.

Common Scam Tricks

Know the Playbook

Most scams fall into one of these categories. If a situation matches one of these, slow down before you act.

💳

Banking & Card Scams

Fake bank alerts or calls pushing you to "verify" card or account details.

📲

Payment App & QR Code Scams

Fraudulent QR codes or payment requests disguised as a way to receive money.

🔢

OTP & Verification Code Scams

Callers trick you into reading out a one-time code that actually authorizes a transaction.

🎧

Fake Customer Care

Fake "support" numbers found online that connect you directly to a scammer.

🪪

Account Verification Scams

Urgent messages claiming your account will be frozen unless you "verify" it immediately.

📊

Investment & Trading Scams

Promises of guaranteed, unrealistic returns on stocks, forex, or crypto.

🏠

Job & Work-From-Home Scams

Fake job offers requiring an upfront "training" or "equipment" fee.

💵

Loan Scams

Guaranteed loan approval in exchange for an upfront "processing fee."

🎉

Lottery & Prize Scams

You've "won" a prize you never entered, but must pay fees or taxes first to claim it.

📦

Package/Delivery Scams

Fake delivery texts with links asking you to pay a small fee to "release" a package.

⚖️

Police/Legal Threat Scams

Threats of arrest or legal action unless you pay immediately, usually by gift card or wire.

💡

Utility Disconnection Scams

Threats to cut off your electricity or gas today unless you pay right now.

💬

WhatsApp/Text Message Scams

Messages from unknown numbers, often impersonating a relative or delivery service.

🔓

Social Media Account Takeover

Fake login pages or "friends" asking you to click a link that steals your password.

💔

Romance Scams

An online relationship that eventually leads to urgent requests for money.

🎗️

Fake Government Benefit Scams

Callers claiming to be from Social Security or another agency asking for payment or personal data to "release" benefits.

🖥️

Tech Support Scams

Pop-ups claiming your device is infected, urging you to call a number and grant remote access.

↩️

Fake Refund Scams

A caller claims they overpaid you and needs remote access or bank details to "reverse" it.

🖱️

Screen-Sharing Scams

Any request to share your screen so a stranger can "help" you fix an issue.

🌐

Fake Website & Phishing Scams

Lookalike websites or emails designed to steal your login credentials.

🛡️

SSA/SSDI Impersonation Scams

Callers claiming your Social Security number is "suspended" or your SSDI claim needs urgent payment to proceed.

🚨

The Golden Rule

If someone creates urgency, fear, or pressure to make you pay, share an OTP, click a link, install software, or give remote access — STOP and verify independently.

Before You Pay

Stop – Check – Verify

Use this three-step method before you ever send money, share an OTP, or click a link from someone who contacted you first.

1

STOP

Don't act under pressure. Scammers rely on urgency to stop you from thinking clearly.

2

CHECK

Check the phone number, website, message, and payment request carefully for anything unusual.

3

VERIFY

Contact the organization using its official website, app, or helpline — never the number or link the caller gave you.

Person holding a credit card while using a laptop

A few extra seconds saves real money

Most successful scams rely on speed — getting you to act before you've had time to think. Before you enter card details, send a payment, or read out a code, pause and run through the Stop – Check – Verify steps above.

  • Hang up and call the organization back on a number you looked up yourself
  • Never use a phone number or link provided by the person who contacted you
  • When in doubt, don't send it — you can always verify and pay later
Everyday Habits

Website & Device Security

Simple habits that make you a much harder target for scammers and hackers.

Close-up of a circuit board
  • Don't click suspicious links in texts, emails, or social media messages
  • Check the website domain carefully — look for spelling mistakes in URLs
  • Don't download unknown APK or EXE files
  • Don't disable antivirus or security settings because someone on the phone tells you to
  • Don't share your screen with strangers
  • Don't let strangers control your phone or computer
  • Don't save banking passwords on unfamiliar websites
  • Use strong, unique passwords for every account
  • Enable two-factor authentication wherever it's available
  • Keep your operating system and apps updated
Emergency Steps

"I Think I've Been Scammed"

If you've already shared information or transferred money, act quickly. Every minute matters.

Do this right now:

  • Stop communicating with the suspected scammer immediately.
  • Do not send any additional money, no matter what they say.
  • Contact your bank or payment provider through its official app, website, or the number on the back of your card.
  • Secure your affected accounts and change your passwords right away.
  • If you installed remote-access software, disconnect the device from the internet and remove or disable the software.
  • Preserve evidence — screenshots, phone numbers, emails, transaction IDs, and any messages.
  • Report the incident to your local police and to the appropriate cybercrime or fraud reporting authority in your country (in the U.S., this includes the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov).
Think You've Been Scammed? See emergency steps below
Get Help