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Beware of Social Security Scams: Protecting Yourself After Loss

For many widows and widowers, navigating Social Security benefits is already challenging during a time of grief. Unfortunately, scammers specifically target vulnerable individuals during major life transitions, making the newly widowed particularly susceptible to Social Security scams.

As part of National Consumer Protection Week and the 6th Annual Slam the Scam Day, we're highlighting how these scams work and sharing critical protection strategies for widowed persons.

How Scammers Target the Widowed

"Three months after losing my husband, I received a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security," shares Janet Williams, 67. "They said there was a problem with my survivor benefits and that I needed to verify my information immediately or my payments would stop. I was so scared—those benefits were my lifeline."

Fortunately, Janet remembered reading about government imposter scams and hung up before providing any information. Her experience highlights a common tactic: scammers create a sense of urgency around benefits that widowed individuals depend on.

Red Flags to Watch For

According to the Federal Trade Commission and Social Security Administration, scammers typically follow predictable patterns. Be alert if someone:

  1. PRETENDS to be from Social Security or another government agency
  2. Claims there's a PROBLEM with your benefits or account
  3. PRESSURES you to act immediately to avoid losing benefits
  4. Tells you to PAY in specific ways like gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash

"I got a text message saying my widow's benefits were suspended due to suspicious activity," recalls Michael Chen, 72. "They wanted me to click a link and enter my Social Security number and banking information to 'verify my identity.' Something felt off, so I called Social Security directly using the official number. They confirmed it was a scam."

The "Fraud Protection" Scam: A Growing Threat

One particularly harmful scheme targets people's life savings through what the FTC calls the "fraud protection" scam. Here's how it works:

  1. A scammer contacts you pretending to be from a company you know (like your bank)
  2. They claim they've detected fraud on your account and your money isn't safe
  3. They connect you with a "helper" who often claims to be from the government
  4. The "helper" is actually a scammer trying to steal your money by telling you to:
    • Put your money in a "secure account"
    • Transfer funds to cryptocurrency
    • Withdraw cash for a "driver" to pick up
    • Buy gold bars for "protection"

"After my wife died, I was overwhelmed managing our finances alone," says Robert Torres, 65. "When someone called saying they were from our bank's fraud department and that our accounts were compromised, I believed them. They transferred me to someone claiming to be from Social Security who said they could help protect my money. They almost convinced me to transfer everything to a 'safe government account.' My daughter stopped me just in time."

How to Protect Yourself

The Social Security Administration offers these critical safety tips:

  • Remain calm. Scammers want you emotional and off-balance. Talk to someone you trust before taking action.
  • Hang up or ignore unexpected messages. NEVER click on links in texts or emails claiming to be from government agencies.
  • Protect your money. Government agencies will NEVER ask you to send money via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash.
  • Guard your personal information. Be skeptical of any contact you didn't initiate.
  • Verify independently. If concerned about your benefits, contact Social Security directly using the official number (1-800-772-1213) or website (ssa.gov).

"The grief was still so raw when I got that call about my survivor benefits being in jeopardy," shares Elizabeth Johnson, 58. "They knew exactly which emotional buttons to push—fear of financial insecurity on top of losing my husband. I'm grateful my grief support group had warned me about these scams."

Report Scams Immediately

If you encounter a scam, report it to:

  • The FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • The SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov

Spread Awareness

Help protect others by sharing what you know about Social Security scams with friends, family, and community members. The Social Security Administration encourages using the hashtag #SlamtheScam on social media to raise awareness.

Remember: Government agencies won't call, email, or text asking for money or personal information. Only scammers do that. By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself during an already challenging time.

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Visit our Social Security Hub at wingsforwidows.org/social-security-benefits-guide-for-widows-and-widowers for resources on protecting yourself from scams, including informational PDFs from the Federal Trade Commission and Social Security Administration.

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