Fraud alert: June’s $600 Social Security increase is WRONG! | Opinion

Reader alert: On Friday, June 14, Social Security posted the following statement on the SSA.gov website: “WARNING: Reports of a $600 increase in June payments are FALSE: There will be no COLA increase UNTIL January 2025.” I felt it was my duty to bring this announcement to your attention.

Hello Toni:

Since you are dealing with Social Security issues related to Medicare, perhaps you can help me. In April, I received an email saying my Social Security check would be increased by $600. I have not received this increase in the mail, nor an email stating what day in June this increase will occur. Do you know who I need to contact at Social Security to get my question answered? Thanks, Toni.

—James from Atlanta

James:

Good question, because on June 14, the Social Security Office of the Inspector General announced that this misinformation was spreading and warned, “Be aware of attempts by people who want to obtain your personal information in order to obtain a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from the SSA.”

The new COLA for 2025 will be announced in October. The 2025 COLA will begin with your new 2025 Social Security check amount, which is due in January 2025.

James, you have been given incorrect information. Visit SSA.gov to view the “Fraud Alert” on the SSA.gov website or go directly to the full statement at https://tinyurl.com/ppr577u6.

Inspector General Gail S. Ennis stated in the scam alert, “SSA’s annual cost-of-living increases are ALWAYS automatic. You do not need any additional information to receive the legitimate COLA increase.” Ennis warned recipients of the scams attempt to steal their identities or money, or both, to protect their personal information.

Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley advised Americans to “be alert and not fall for this trick.” O’Malley pointed out that the SSA sends notices directly to beneficiaries in early December about the SSA amount for the upcoming January payments. Visit SSA.gov/myaccount to view your COLA online once the new Social Security adjustment is announced.

Here are some tips to help protect yourself from Social Security, Medicare or IRS fraud:

Have a safety script ready for scam calls. Tell anyone who asks that you do not give out personal information over the phone. (Have your kids or a friend help you write the script.) Be sure to stick to the script!

Do not open or respond to fraudulent emails. Simply delete the fraudulent email. If you do not want to delete the email yourself or are not sure if it is genuine, show it to your children or friends who will help you protect yourself.

Never give out your Medicare or Social Security number to strangers who call, knock on your door, or ask for it in an email. Just like you tell your grandchildren not to talk to strangers or respond to emails from them, you don’t have to talk to them either. Play the Stranger Danger game yourself.

DO NOT accept “free” offers in exchange for your Medicare number. Remember, nothing is “free”. These scammers make Medicare pay for everything they offer and use your Medicare number to get it paid for!

Social Security, Medicare and IRS fraud is exploding, so please tell your friends and family what I just told you. Americans must stand together and stop those who just want to make a “quick buck” out of Medicare, your checking account/credit card, and most importantly, YOU!

Toni King is a writer and columnist on Medicare and health insurance topics. She has been a leading sales executive in the field for nearly 30 years. For a Medicare check, call the Toni Says call center at (832) 519-8664 or email [email protected] regarding your Medicare plans and options. Toni Says Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition is available at www.tonisays.com.