California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert in recognition of the Seventh Annual Slam the Scam Day, warning residents to be cautious of Social Security-related scams and other government imposter schemes. These scams involve individuals pretending to be government officials, often seeking personal information or payments and sometimes making threats. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost over $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. Of these losses, more than $5.7 billion were attributed to investment scams and nearly $2.95 billion to imposter scams, including $789 million specifically related to government imposters.
“Scammers are relentless and emboldened by technological advancements and show few signs of slowing. My office is on it, sounding the alarm on cruel immigration scams, government imposter scams, scams targeting our military community, and fighting on in our war against robocalls, which are often a vehicle for harmful scams,” said Attorney General Bonta. “During National Consumer Protection Week, and every week, I urge Californians not to click on links in texts asking consumers for personal information, to visit only official websites, and to talk to friends and family who may be unaware of the dangers of scams.”
Scams can target individuals, businesses, or even government agencies by impersonating reputable organizations or officials. Tactics include claiming there is a problem with an account or offering fraudulent prizes or benefits. Scammers frequently pressure targets into quick action and request payment through hard-to-trace methods such as cryptocurrency or gift cards.
Attorney General Bonta’s office provided several tips for protecting against these types of fraud:
– Hang up immediately if you suspect a scam call.
– Safeguard your Social Security number by keeping your card at home and only providing it when necessary.
– Use strong passwords for online accounts and consider password managers.
– Avoid clicking suspicious links sent via text messages or emails.
– Never move money in response to unexpected calls or messages claiming it is needed for protection.
– Regularly review credit card bills and bank statements for unauthorized activity.
– Take advantage of free annual credit reports from each major bureau at www.annualcreditreport.com.
– Discuss potential scam interactions with friends or family before acting.
Real government officials will not threaten arrest or legal action for immediate payment nor request fees via gift cards or wire transfers.
The California Attorney General’s office operates statewide as part of the executive branch under the state constitution according to its official website. It serves as California’s chief law enforcement authority with responsibilities including enforcing state laws and advancing policies in civil rights, consumer protection, economic security, and environmental justice as outlined by the agency. Rob Bonta currently leads this office according to official records.
To report suspicious activity related to consumer protections within California contact local law enforcement or file a complaint through http://www.oag.ca.gov/report. Reports can also be made directly to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. Additional resources are available at ftc.gov/scams and https://www.oag.ca.gov/consumers.
