A frightening new scam is sweeping across the country — and it’s targeting retirees who depend on Social Security.

Officials are warning that fake “Supreme Court” letters are being mailed to seniors, threatening asset freezes and demanding personal information.

The letters look official, but every word is a lie.

A Sophisticated Scam With a Dangerous Twist

The Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General has issued an urgent nationwide alert after uncovering a wave of fake letters claiming recipients committed Social Security fraud.

The letters feature what appears to be the official letterhead of the U.S. Supreme Court. They falsely warn that the Court has ordered financial institutions to freeze all bank accounts and investments belonging to the recipient.

The goal? To terrify retirees into giving away personal and financial information.

Scammers then follow up with threatening phone calls and texts, pressuring victims to confirm Social Security numbers, bank details, or even send money to “release” their funds.

“On every level this letter is completely false,” said Acting Inspector General Michelle Anderson. “The Supreme Court does not handle these matters, and Social Security will never send such a letter.”

But the fraud is spreading quickly — and the letters look real enough to fool even careful retirees.

How the Scam Works — and How to Stay Safe

The fraudulent documents claim that recipients cannot maintain bank balances over $10,000 or hold investments exceeding $80,000 to $100,000. They warn that failure to comply could result in criminal prosecution or account seizure.

It’s all designed to create panic. Once the victim calls the listed number, the scammer pretends to be a federal officer or investigator, demanding “verification” of sensitive data.

From there, the consequences can be devastating. Scammers often drain accounts, steal identities, and use personal information to open fraudulent credit lines.

The Inspector General’s office is urging anyone who receives such a letter to tear it up immediately and report it. Retirees can call the Social Security fraud hotline or visit the official OIG website to file a report.

Officials also remind the public that Social Security will never: — Threaten arrest or legal action. — Demand payment via wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency. — Ask for full Social Security numbers or bank details over the phone.

Experts warn that as scams become more sophisticated, retirees should be cautious about any unexpected contact claiming to involve federal agencies or courts. When in doubt, hang up, delete the message, or throw away the letter.

The best defense is awareness. Talking with family members, checking with financial institutions, and reporting suspicious activity immediately can prevent others from falling victim.

For retirees living on fixed incomes, even one scam can erase years of savings. That’s why officials are calling this new wave of fraud one of the most dangerous in recent memory.

The bottom line: the Supreme Court is not freezing your money. But scammers will — if you let them.