SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Today, March 6, is the sixth annual Slam the Scam Day, a part of National Consumer Protection Week. The public awareness campaign seeks to warn residents about government imposter scams.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams in 2023. Combined, these scams cost everyday people $1.1 billion – more than three times what consumers reported in 2020.
To protect yourself, it is important to know the tell-tale signs of a scam call, text, or email. These scams almost always include four features:
- Pretend to be from an agency or organization you know.
- Say there is a problem or promise a prize.
- Pressure you to act immediately.
- Tell you to pay in a specific way, often by gift card, cryptocurrency, or mailing cash.
Scammers might claim they are from the Social Security Administration, Department of Job and Family Services or another agency and tell you your benefits will end unless you pay immediately. Regardless of the exact details they give you, each scam situation is presented as an urgent problem that is solved by paying the scammer as soon as possible.
“These scammers are counting on you to be flustered and act quickly without thinking. They are often successful because we want to do what feels like the right thing,” said County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “But by pausing and hanging up the phone or stopping before you click on a link, you can easily foil their scam and protect yourself and your savings.”
Executive Shapiro urges residents to remember:
- Government agencies will not call, email, or text you for money or personal information.
- Law enforcement agencies will not call you if there is a warrant for your arrest.
- Never make payments with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or by mailing cash.
If you receive a suspicious call, report Social Security Scams to https://OIG.SSA.GOV and all other scams to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
