Security Corner Blog

Your federal pension is a lifetime benefit earned through years of dedicated service — and unfortunately, that makes it a prime target for scammers. With fraud on the rise, protecting your retirement income and personal information is more critical than ever. Here’s what you need to know about Federal Pension scams and how to defend yourself.

What Is a Federal Pension Scam?

Federal pension scams typically involve fraudsters posing as government officials, financial advisors, or retirement benefit agencies. Their goal? To trick you into giving up sensitive information or redirecting your pension payments.

These scams can come in the form of:

1. Phishing Emails or Calls claiming urgent issues with your pension account
2. Fake Investment Opportunities promising to “maximize” your retirement benefits
3. Bogus Offers to Speed Up Payments for a fee or access to your login credentials
4. Requests to Verify Personal Information that sound legitimate but are designed to steal your identity

Common Red Flags

Watch out for these warning signs:

1. You’re asked to provide your Social Security number, bank account info, or login credentials via phone or email.
2. The caller says your benefits will be cut off or delayed if you don’t act immediately.
3. You’re told to pay a fee upfront to receive pension benefits or process paperwork.
4. The message contains misspelled words, incorrect agency names, or odd phrasing.

How to Stay Safe

1. Know Who You’re Dealing With. Legitimate agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will never call or email out of the blue asking for personal details.
2. Don’t Share Sensitive Info Never provide your Social Security number, bank details, or login credentials unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the recipient’s identity.
3. Check Official Sources. If you receive suspicious communication, hang up or delete the email and contact OPM directly through their official website or phone number.
4. Report Scams If you believe you’ve been targeted, report it to the OPM’s Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
5. Monitor Your Accounts Regularly check your federal pension statements and bank accounts for unusual activity. If you suspect a breach, consider signing up for identity theft protection services.

Fraudsters constantly evolve, but you can outsmart them with vigilance and awareness. Share this information with other retirees, family members, and coworkers — because protecting your pension starts with knowing the signs and spreading the word.

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