Casey, Colleagues Warn Consumers About Scams Targeting Seniors’ Benefits

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and his Democratic colleagues on the Committee are warning consumers about the threat of scams that target seniors’ Social Security benefits. Following news from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that these scams are the most prevalent form of reported government imposter scams, the Senators sent a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) requesting information on the SSA’s work to prevent seniors from falling victims to such scams.

“For seniors, including many who live on fixed incomes, losing any amount of money to a scammer can force an individual to go without needed essentials, like groceries or medications,” wrote the Senators. “Based on the median loss reported by the FTC, the average retired Social Security beneficiary, who receives $1,477 per month, is likely to lose all of their monthly income to a Social Security scam. It is highly unlikely that victims will ever have the money returned.”

In their letter, the Senators urged the SSA to prioritize arming seniors with information to stop potential scams. Earlier this month, Senator Casey joined Aging Committee Chairman Susan Collins in sending a letter to the FTC Chairman expressing concerns about pervasive Social Security scams and requesting information about the steps the FTC has taken to protect seniors. In November, Senators Casey and Collins also sent a letter to the Social Security Administration Inspector General, urging her to review the SSA’s steps to address Social Security scams.

The following senators, who are the Aging Committee Democratic members, have signed on to the letter: Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Doug Jones (D-AL) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).

Read the letter to SSA here.