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New government imposter scam targets Social Security recipients

If you get a threatening letter from the Supreme Court, it’s not real

Updated:

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
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Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Key Insights

  • Scammers are circulating fake letters on counterfeit U.S. Supreme Court letterhead to impersonate government officials.
  • The letters falsely accuse recipients of criminal involvement and demand cooperation with the Social Security Administration.
  • Officials urge the public to report the scam and avoid sharing money or personal information.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Social Security Administration (SSA) is alerting seniors about a new and highly deceptive government imposter scam. The scheme involves fraudulent letters designed to look official, bearing the U.S. Supreme Court’s letterhead and forged signatures of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

According to the OIG, the scam letters are written to appear personal and urgent. Each letter is addressed directly to the recipient and claims that the individual is a “primary suspect” in criminal proceedings supposedly overseen by the Department of Justice and the SSA. To heighten the deception, the documents may include the real names of SSA executives and reference Attorney General Raúl Torrez of New Mexico.

The letters falsely claim that investigations by the SSA and the fictitiously named “Drug Enforcement Agency” have linked the recipient’s Social Security number to illegal activity or identity theft. The scam promises a new Social Security number — but only if the individual complies with instructions to “cooperate” with federal authorities, often by sending money or disclosing sensitive personal information.

Threats

In an effort to intimidate victims, the letters also allege that the Supreme Court has ordered banks to freeze all of the recipient’s assets. They go on to say that individuals cannot maintain balances exceeding $10,000 in any bank account or hold more than $80,000 to $100,000 in investments. The letter closes with a dire warning that any financial loss resulting from noncompliance will be the victim’s responsibility.

Michelle L. Anderson, Acting Inspector General for SSA, emphasized that the entire communication is fraudulent.

“On every level, this letter is completely false,” Anderson said. “Scammers continue to exploit fear and confusion by impersonating government agencies and officials. These criminals are falsely accusing individuals of crimes and using the names of federal agencies to scare and legitimize their scam. If you get this type of letter, rip it up and report it.”

Authorities warn that scammers may follow up the letters with text messages or phone calls to continue the fraud.

How to protect yourself

The SSA OIG urges the public to stay vigilant and take the following steps:

  • Be cautious of anyone claiming to be from the SSA or another government agency.
  • Pause before acting. Discuss any suspicious communication with a trusted friend or relative.
  • Report scams at ssa.gov/scam.
  • Stay informed by following SSA OIG on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates on scam trends.
  • Visit the Federal Trade Commission for more consumer protection advice.

The OIG emphasizes that no legitimate government agency will threaten arrest, demand money, or ask for personal details over the phone or by mail. Recognizing the signs of fraud can help prevent victims from falling prey to these increasingly sophisticated scams.