Beware of Direct Deposit Offers Tied to Prizes

If someone tells you you've won a contest and asks you to change your Social Security direct deposit information to claim it, it's a scam — and it can cut off access to your benefit payments and potentially leave your bank account vulnerable to theft.

How the Scam Works

A caller says you've won a prize or contest and, to receive it, asks you to switch your Social Security direct deposit from your bank to a different account, such as a prepaid debit card. To do this, they ask for your personal and banking information. Victims have found themselves without their own Social Security payments once the deposit is redirected — and the scammer may call back and grow hostile if the victim tries to undo the change.

No legitimate contest or prize requires you to redirect a federal benefit payment to claim it. The Social Security Administration will never offer to increase your benefits in exchange for information or for a fee.

Remember

• Never change your direct deposit information because of an unsolicited call, text, or prize notification.
• Keep your Social Security and bank account information private.
• You can review and change your Social Security direct deposit information yourself, safely, through your personal my Social Security account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
• If you think your direct deposit has already been changed without your permission, contact SSA immediately by calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213.

Report this scam to ssa.gov/scam. You can also report it to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Download a PDF of this press release here.