TONI SAYS: Fraud alert: June’s $600 Social Security tax hike is bogus

By Toni King

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 and I have not received any information by mail or email as to what day in June that increase will occur. Do you know who I need to contact at Social Security to answer my question? Thanks, Toni

— James from Atlanta, GA

James:

Good question, because on June 14, the Social Security Office of the Inspector General warned the public: “You should be aware of attempts by individuals seeking 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 tinyurl.com/yzu52jt2.

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 everyone, especially scammers, not to 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!

For a Medicare checkup, call the Toni Says Medicare call center at 832/519-8664 or email (email protected)Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition is available at tonisays.com. Toni’s Medicare Moments articles were just published at familytalktoday.com/medicare-moments.

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