Won a Prize? Don’t Move Your Social Security Direct Deposit

Scammers have found another way to target Social Security recipients.

The Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General recently warned about scammers who tell people they have won a prize or contest. Then comes the catch: to receive the prize, the person is told to change where their Social Security benefits are deposited.

They may even tell you to redirect your benefits to a prepaid debit card.

How the Scam Works

The scammer contacts you and claims you have won money or a valuable prize. To collect it, you are instructed to change your Social Security direct-deposit information.

That should immediately raise a red flag.

A legitimate prize will never require you to redirect your Social Security benefits.

Changing your direct deposit could allow a scammer to interfere with your benefit payments and may expose sensitive personal or financial information.

What Should You Do?

If someone tells you to change your Social Security direct deposit to receive a prize:

STOP. Don't change anything.

Do not give them your Social Security number, banking information, passwords, or verification codes.

If you are concerned that your Social Security direct-deposit information may have been changed without your permission, contact the Social Security Administration directly at 1-800-772-1213 or use your official my Social Security account.

Pete's Bottom Line

You should never have to move your Social Security check to collect a prize.

If someone tells you otherwise, stop communicating with them and verify the situation yourself using an official Social Security contact.

And remember: when something doesn't feel right, STOP. CHECK. PROTECT.

Source: Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, September 9, 2026.

Read the official SSA OIG scam warning