What You Need To Know About Misleading Advertising

Fraudulent and misleading ads

Countless consumers nationwide are victimized by misleading advertisers who use "Social Security" or "Medicare" to entice the public. Often, these companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from Social Security free of charge. These services include getting:

• A corrected Social Security card showing a bride's married name;
• A Social Security card to replace a lost card;
• A Social Security Statement; and
• A Social Security number for a child.

Some direct marketers suggest that Social Security is in dire financial shape and that people risk losing their Social Security or Medicare benefits unless they send a contribution or membership fee to the advertiser. Other companies give the false impression of a Social Security endorsement or affiliation by offering a "Social Security Update" or related benefit update. Typically, these companies solicit information from consumers and then resell the consumer's private information. These marketing practices clearly mislead and deceive the American public.

What has been done to combat misleading advertising?

The law that deals specifically with misleading Social Security and Medicare advertising prohibits people or non-government businesses from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising cannot lead people to believe that they represent or are somehow affiliated with or endorsed or approved by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Medicare).

In the case of a potentially misleading Social Security advertisement, Social Security's Office of the Inspector General reviews the ad. When questioned about their ads, many people and companies voluntarily agree to stop using them or change the ads to comply with the law. However, if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached, the Office of the Inspector General will fine the offending person or company up to $5,000 for each advertisement mailed. Misleading ads concerning Medicare should be referred to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services for review.

What to do if you receive misleading information about Social Security

Send the complete mailing, including the envelope, to:

Office of the Inspector General
Fraud Hotline
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235

Also, advise your state's attorney general or consumer affairs office and the Better Business Bureau in your area.

For more information

Check our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ or call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on business days and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. Our lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month so, if your business can wait, it’s best to call at other times. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.