Scammers are clever, persistent, and unfortunately very good at what they do — especially when they’re pretending to be from the government. That’s why every year in March, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) leads National Slam the Scam Day to help people recognize and report fraud before it’s too late.
This year, Slam the Scam Day falls on March 5, 2026 — and we want to help spread the word.
How do scams typically work?
Whether it’s a call, a text, or an email, scammers tend to follow a predictable playbook. Watch out for these red flags:
- An unexpected problem or too-good-to-be-true offer — like a sudden issue with your Social Security number or a surprise benefit increase.
- Pressure to act immediately — scammers want you panicked and moving fast so you don’t stop to think.
- Unusual payment requests — if someone is asking you to pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, gold bars, or cash, that’s a major warning sign, no matter what reason they give.
What can you do?
First, learn the signs — and then share them with the people you care about. Older adults in particular are often targeted, so having a conversation with a parent or grandparent could make a real difference.
If something feels off, trust that instinct. The real Social Security Administration will never threaten you, demand immediate payment, or ask for unusual forms of payment.
If you suspect a scam, you can report it directly to the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report, or report other fraud concerns to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For more tips and resources, visit ssa.gov/scam.
This March 5th, join us in slamming the scam — share this post, talk to your family, and help protect your community and loved ones. 💙
