They charge to maximize your check.

Ad: Unsolicited call/ad/letter/text/social message claiming someone can boost/unlock/maximize SSA benefits for an upfront fee, or verify benefits on an official-looking form/site to activate an increase. SSA OIG scam alert (Sep 21, 2026) “Don’t Pay for Promises of Increased SSA Benefits”: SSA does not offer to increase benefits in exchange for money; amounts are calculated by law from your earnings record; never negotiated by phone; no processing or admin fee. SSA will never call to offer increased benefits in exchange for information or a fee. Use my Social Security; questions → 1-800-772-1213; report at ssa.gov/scam. Distinct from Issue 13’s “activate your COLA” (older OIG alert) and Issue 5’s premature COLA % — this row is the Sep 21, 2026 maximize/unlock-for-a-fee pitch. Leave any “boost” dollars blank.

Ad: Sponsored search result with official-looking logos/keywords that looks like Medicare.gov or HealthCare.gov; link/phone leads to a non-government site asking for payment or personal info for a “plan.” FTC consumer alert (Sep 28, 2026) “What to know ahead of Open Enrollment to avoid health insurance scams”: scammers and dishonest businesses pay to appear at the top of search; lookalike URLs; you may pay for a scammy plan that isn’t insurance or face medical identity theft. Type Medicare.gov (or call 800-633-4227) and HealthCare.gov (or 800-318-2596) directly; look for Ad/Sponsored labels; prefer .gov; SHIP / Senior Medicare Patrol / HealthCare.gov Find Local Help. Report ReportFraud.ftc.gov; Medicare scams also Medicare.gov / 800-633-4227. Distinct from Issue 9 (premature 2027 OE before Nov 1 + earlier FTC alerts) — this is the Sep 28, 2026 ahead-of-OE search-ad alert.

Ad: Text spoofing a real toll program saying you owe overdue toll charges; click to pay. SSA blog Sep 25, 2026 (Ari Lazarus, FTC) “Is that call from the government…or a scammer?”: state tolling-agency impersonators send bogus texts spoofing EZ-Pass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag telling you to click a link to pay overdue tolls — every example in the post is a scam. Government will never contact you by text or messaging app asking for money, personal info, or account access. Report ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Leave toll dollars blank.

Ad: Someone claiming to be an FTC “agent” who can help recover money lost in a scam or move money to “protect it.” Same SSA/FTC Sep 25, 2026 blog: scammers impersonate the FTC that way. Never ever will someone from the government say “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” Never demand payment via payment app, crypto, wire, or gift cards. Report ReportFraud.ftc.gov.