It’s a scam so convincing that it’s raked in millions from unsuspecting residents across Washington State, including one victim who lost a jaw-dropping $870,000.
Con artists posing as government agents are using high-pressure, fear-fueled tactics to trick victims into handing over huge sums. Many of the scams involve references to victims’ Social Security.
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At least 47 victims have come forward — 27 in King County alone. Authorities believe that’s just the tip of the iceberg and are asking anyone with information about the scam to come forward.
Patrick Hinds, who heads the Economic Crimes and Wage Theft Division at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is talking to local media to raise awareness of the problem.
“In a nutshell, this scam really works by playing on people’s fear,” he told Fox 13 Seattle.
Fake officials, real devastation
It begins with an ominous email, text, or computer pop-up that appears to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or a related agency that claims your identity has been stolen or your accounts hacked.
Victims are told to act fast and click on a link or call a number to connect with an official — when in fact they’re directed to a live con artist.
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The scammers tell victims their safest course of action is to liquidate all their accounts — storing their money as cash or gold — and hand it over to a courier, who will deliver it to a federal agency, for “safekeeping.”
“Of course none of that is true,” Hinds says.
Social Security scams are among the most common of the imposter scams in the U.S., and cost unsuspecting Americans $577 million in 2024 alone.
One Washington victim fell for just such a ruse when a scammer told him his Social Security Number had been compromised. He ended up losing more than $500,000 to the fraud.
He told KIRO 7 that the imposters are convincing and definitely instill fear.
“One of the first things they do is say, ‘We’ll have you electronically sign a non-disclosure agreement,’” he said. “They kept saying, ‘You can’t discuss this with anybody.’”
Hinds confirmed the scammers create a sense of urgency and secrecy to manipulate their victims and conceal their wrongdoing. They keep the con alive with fabricated letters confirming “receipt” of funds, and more calls with “officials.”
“They’ll bring in someone else who claims to be from a different agency, like your bank or the FBI,” said Hinds. “It’s all part of the trap.”
How to protect yourself
Of course, Washington isn’t the only state where this is happening. Across the U.S., imposter scams ranked first among all fraud types in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, accounting for $789 million in losses — an increase of $171 million from 2023.
Hinds urges the public to remember key ways to stay safe:
Watch for 3 Red Flags:
1. Fear: The message is meant to scare you.
2. Urgency: You’re told to act now, with no time to think or ask questions.
3. Secrecy: You’re warned not to tell anyone, not even your family or bank.
Gut check
Ask yourself, “Does this make sense?” If something feels a little off, your gut may be telling you something. Get a second opinion from family, friends and trusted advisors.
Keep in mind:
1. A real government agency would never use robocalls or texts to demand money via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. Hang up on suspicious calls and delete any such texts.
2. Con artists ‘spoof’ (fake) legitimate email addresses and caller IDs to trick you, so even if an email or phone number looks real, it could be fake. Moreover, in this era of deep fakes, fraudsters can forge convincing documentation, with authentic-looking signatures and government logos, so be wary.
3. You can always verify that communications are legitimate by cross-referencing with official government agency contact information.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you have fallen victim to a scammer, or suspect you have, here’s what to do:
- Stop all contact with the scammer immediately.
- Document everything including screenshots, messages and receipts.
- Contact your bank to freeze accounts, reverse transfers or flag suspicious activity.
- Contact local police.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and in the case of Social Security scams, the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov
It’s important to act fast.
Banks and card issuers may be able to reverse fraudulent charges. State and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reimbursement programs might help in limited cases.
Bottom line?
“If someone asks you to withdraw all your money and give it to a stranger ‘for safekeeping’ — don’t do it,” Hinds said. “Real agencies don’t work like that.”
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.