Staying alert and reporting suspicious activity helps protect state systems – and the North Carolinians we serve.
Today, March 5, is Slam the Scam Day – a reminder from the Social Security Administration about the growing threat of government impersonation scams. These schemes increasingly target individuals, businesses, and government agencies by creating urgency and demanding untraceable payments such as cryptocurrency, gift cards or wire transfers.
Losses continue to grow. In 2024, consumers reported more than $12.5 billion stolen through scams of all types, including nearly $3 billion from imposter scams. Criminals frequently pose as Social Security, IRS, Medicare, or law enforcement to obtain personal information or money.
How to Stay Vigilant
- Review the Social Security Administration’s Scam Prevention Tips.
- Verify unexpected requests for information or payment before responding.
- Report any suspicious emails to your agency’s security team.
- Report Social Security scams at oig.ssa.gov and other scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Watch the video below from the Social Security Administration to learn how to spot government impersonation scams.