SAN FRANCISCO — Scammers using the Twitter handle “@blogssagove” are asking senior citizens for the phone number associated with their Social Security account — and promising big rewards if they do.
The scammers — operating with impunity on Elon Musk’s X — promise $3.000 in cold, hard cash if the seniors respond to the phony appeal within 24 hours.
Legitimate financial services businesses will never put an accelerated, artificial time deadline on a proper business deal, so senior citizens must ignore this bogus attempt to get your private information.
“Congratulations! You’ve been randomly selected as a #CurrentSSI $3,000 (party favor emoji). Please dm us with your phone number associated with your account in the next 24 hours,” the scammers wrote on X. “If you’re not an SSI account holder, you have 24 hours to sign up for an account at SSA.gov.com to claim your prize. If we don’t receive any dm from you in the next 24 hours, we’ll have to select another winner.”
Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use targeted, sophisticated tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money.
If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, do not respond. Social Security wants you to know how to identify a scammer and avoid becoming a victim.
Social Security will NEVER:
- Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
- Suspend your Social Security number.
- Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
- Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
- Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information.
Social Security only sends text messages if you have opted in to receive texts from them and only in limited situations, including the following:
- When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.
- As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.
If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights.
SSA encourages you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website. You can find more information about scams on our webpage Protect Yourself from Scams.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.