September 21, 2026

Don’t Pay for Promises of Increased SSA Benefits

These scams usually begin with an unsolicited call, advertisement, letter,
text, or social-media message claiming someone can “boost,” “unlock,” or
“maximize” a person’s Social Security benefits for an upfront fee.

IMPORTANT: SSA will never ask you to pay a fee or provide personal
information in exchange for increasing your Social Security benefits.

How the Scam Works

You receive an offer appearing to be from SSA to boost your benefit amount.
The offer sounds legitimate, often asking you to verify the benefits you
receive. You may even be directed to an official-looking website or form.

These tactics are usually designed to collect personal information, bank
account details, or other personally identifiable information to activate
or process the increase.

The Problem

SSA does not offer to increase benefits in exchange for money. Benefit
amounts are calculated by law based on your earnings record and other
factors. They are not negotiated over the phone, and you never need to
claim the offer or pay processing or administrative fees.

Protect Yourself

SSA will never call to offer increased benefits in exchange for information or a fee from the claimant or beneficiary.
Go digital! Sign up for your personal my Social Security account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to access your information, verify your earnings, manage benefits andrequests online, and monitor for unusual activity.
If you have questions about your benefits, hang up and call SSA directly
at 1-800-772-1213.
Visit ssa.gov/scam to report Social Security-related scams and learn more.

Download the Full Scam Alert

Think you may have encountered this scam?

Report the Scam

Learn About More Scams

Visit OIG.SSA.gov for more updates.

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Dear Barbara, Handing over my case to Barbara was the best decision. Barbara approached my case in an all-encompassing manner, hiring experts in the field and top doctors. Clients are… read more
Dear Barbara, I want to take the time to thank you for representing me in my disability case. We were strangers when we first met. I realize that I was… read more
Dear Matthew, My experience with this law firm has been amazing. After years of illness I felt like I was at the end of the line. Matt Schreiks took over… read more
Dear, Barbara, I don't know what I would have done without Barbara & her amazing team. Always so professional & follows up with every question or concern! I was so… read more

Client Testimonials

Dear Barbara, Handing over my case to Barbara was the best decision. Barbara approached my case in an all-encompassing manner, hiring experts in the field and top doctors. Clients are in the most capable hands with Barbara and her team of attorneys. As an attorney myself, I have been most impressed by Barbara’s broad knowledge of the aspects of disability law and procedure. I always appreciated Barbara’s candor and her devotion to my interests. My disability benefits were reinstated, thanks to Barbara. Mary F.

Dear Barbara, I want to take the time to thank you for representing me in my disability case. We were strangers when we first met. I realize that I was impatient at times thru out this process, and a difficult person to deal with. But you always encouraged me to hold on and keep the faith and never give up. Your knowledge in the system and your caring attitude is second to none. You always made me feel that I didn’t have to walk this road alone. My family and I cannot thank you enough for helping me put my life back together. This was truly a blessing for us. I want to thank you for your patience, understanding and believing that we had a chance to win my case and we did. I wish you well in your practice and for the great legal service you and your firm provided for us. This was a very stressful and embarrassing situation for me. With your support, I made it thru it and we won! Just like you said. I cannot thank you enough. I know you and everyone in your office worked very hard and put a lot time on this case as well as me and were on top of every detail at all times. I want you to know that both my family and myself appreciate your hard work and diligence thru out this ordeal, our feelings are beyond words. We will always consider you part of our family. All the best, Joe B.

Dear Matthew, My experience with this law firm has been amazing. After years of illness I felt like I was at the end of the line. Matt Schreiks took over my case after I was thrown around through the system and given the run around. Matt took my case and all the nonsense stopped. Many times I felt like I was talking to a friend and not my lawyer. If you want someone to take over when you get too frustrated, call this firm because I truly believe they care . Posted by a Consumer on 09/29/14

Dear, Barbara, I don't know what I would have done without Barbara & her amazing team. Always so professional & follows up with every question or concern! I was so lost when I got sick. I thought everything was hopeless before I found Barbara. Posted by a Consumer on 09/18/14

Don’t Pay for Promises of Increased SSA Benefits

How the Scam Works

The Problem

Protect Yourself

Think you may have encountered this scam?

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