Protect Our Heroes Against Scams

A message from the Social Security Administration:

Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families have given so much to serve our country, but unfortunately, their patriotism can be an open door to their heart and wallet. Scammers target veterans, active-duty service members, and their families at a higher rate than they do civilians. They are 40% more likely than their civilian counterparts to lose money to scams and fraud.  From fake government calls and predatory entrepreneurship offers to financial scams and identity theft, scammers take advantage of veterans’ trust and service history.

Raising awareness is the first step in protecting our veterans. The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) designated March 6, 2025, as National Slam the Scam Day—an outreach campaign to raise public awareness of scams, including Social Security-related scams and other government imposter scams. This is part of National Consumer Protection Week, March 2-8, 2025.  

Protect yourself and the veterans in your life by recognizing the signs of a scam. Remember: 

• Scammers pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain your trust.
• Scammers say there is a problem or a prize.
• Scammers pressure you to act immediately.
• Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way.

How Veterans Can Protect Themselves

• Be skeptical. Hang up or delete suspicious messages from “government officials” calling about a problem with your Social Security number or account.
• Guard personal information.
• NEVER make payments with gift cards, cryptocurrency, gold bars, wire transfers, or by mailing cash.

Report Scams

• Visit VSAFE.gov or call the VSAFE fraud hotline at 833-38V-SAFE (8-7233)

Please check out our blog article and share this information with the veterans and military members in your life. If you are part of a veterans’ organization, consider hosting a discussion or posting information about scams.

For more information on protecting yourself from scams and other topics important to veterans, please visit www.ssa.gov/veterans. 

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