National “Slam the Scam” Day is designated by Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General to raise awareness of government imposter scams, which continue to spread across the United States. Victims shouldn’t be embarrassed if they shared personal information or suffered a financial loss. We are all vulnerable.
Slam the Scam Day is Thursday, March 6, 2025, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, which takes place from March 2-8. However, the information and tools are available any time on the SSA website.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers tools to recognize Social Security-related scams, to stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information, and to report scams as soon as possible.
Signs of a scam
- Offer to move your money to a “protected” bank account or other offers of a prize or benefit increase.
- Claim to need personal information or payment to activate a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or other benefit increase.
- An unexpected problem and/or pressure to take immediate action, including sharing personal information.
- Pressure to act immediately and even threaten you with arrest or legal action if you don’t agree to pay money immediately.
- Direct message you on social media.
- Demand secrecy.
- Requests for an unusual payment like cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, and wire transfers, even with the promise of keeping your money “safe.”
- Threaten to suspend your Social Security number or seize your bank account.
- More info: Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams | SSA and Scams | Consumer Advice
How to avoid a scam
- Remain calm. Talk to someone you trust.
- Hang up or ignore the message. DO NOT click on links or attachments.
- Be skeptical of a contact you didn’t initiate.
- Spread the word. Post on social media using the hashtag #SlamtheScam to share your experience and warn others.
- Share the SSA fact sheet: Protect Yourself from Government Imposter Scams (PDF)
How to report a scam
If you paid a scammer, gave a scammer your personal information, or a scammer has access to your computer or phone, Learn where to report a scam | USAGov
What to do if you are scammed
Recovering from a scam can be a long and difficult process. Above all, do not blame yourself and STOP contact with the scammer.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to add a fraud alert to your credit report.
- Protect your Social Security Number. Request a replacement SSN card or new SSN, if necessary.
- More info: What To Do if You Were Scammed | Consumer Advice
Event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.
Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.
You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)
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