A blond-haired man in a dark suit points with his finger as a red warning icon appears next to him. — The government and the SSA of the United States have just notified many Americans | en.elcierredigital.com, InstaStudio, Grok

Camara — The government and the SSA of the United States have just notified many Americans | en.elcierredigital.com, InstaStudio, Grok

Urgent alert from US Social Security: You could lose everything

The Social Security Administration sends a blunt message to Americans: You can't let your guard down at all

05/06/2025 18:02:00h

Miguel Cuartas Ortego

Social Security Administration (SSA) and the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued an important alert. It's about a concerning increase in fraud related to donations to charitable organizations.

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive citizens, posing as official entities or legitimate NGOs. Their goal is to steal money and personal information.

Social Security Warns All Americans of the Danger: Be Careful When Donating

The main risk lies in donation requests that arrive via phone calls, text messages, emails, or social media. Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly, using phrases like "limited time offer" to create a sense of urgency.

A young man in a denim jacket covers his face with one hand while holding a phone in front of a Social Security Administration building; to the right, a red circle with a red cross over an image of a person holding money.

Pay close attention to this from the United States SSA | PixaBay, en.elcierredigital.com, Getty Images Signature, Grok

Additionally, these criminals can spoof phone numbers and email addresses to make them appear as if they're coming from trusted sources, such as SSA or IRS. They can even send documents that look official to earn victims' trust.

What Should You Always Do When Donating Money?

To donate safely and keep your money protected, make sure the organization is officially registered. You can use tools like the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm their status.

Be wary of donation requests that require payments via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or sending cash by mail. Scammers prefer these methods because they're difficult to trace and recover.

Never provide your Social Security number, banking information, or credit card details unless you're absolutely certain of the organization's legitimacy. Be suspicious of pressure to act quickly; legitimate organizations won't force you to make immediate decisions. Take your time to research and decide.

A man in a dark suit and red tie holds bills while looking to the side in an office.

SSA and the US government don't take it as a joke | Grok

More Widespread Fraud

One of the most common scams is that of fake charitable organizations. Scammers create websites and social media profiles that mimic real NGOs to solicit donations. They take advantage of emergency situations, such as natural disasters or humanitarian crises, to appeal to people's solidarity.

In 2024, the FBI received more than 4,500 reports related to fake charitable campaigns, resulting in losses of approximately $96 million.

Why Should We Listen to SSA? You Can Report It Here

If you suspect you've been a victim of a scam related to donations or Social Security, you can report it to the appropriate authorities. Visit oig.ssa.gov/espanol or call 1-800-269-0271. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to file a complaint or check the scams section at irs.gov for more information.

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