CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – State and federal officials are warning New Mexicans to stay alert as two separate scams continue circulating: Social Security impersonation scams and fraudulent “toll violation” court notices sent by text message.
The warnings come as the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General marked the seventh annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 5, 2026, while the New Mexico Department of Justice also issued a public alert about fake court notices tied to supposed toll violations.
Officials say the scams are designed to frighten people into handing over money, credit card information, or sensitive personal data.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 330,000 complaints involving government impersonation scams were reported in 2025, a 25 percent increase over the year before. Social Security remains one of the agencies most commonly impersonated by scammers.
In many cases, criminals pretend to be from the Social Security Administration by phone call, text, email, social media message, or fake website. They may falsely claim there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number, record, or benefits. Some victims are pressured with threats of arrest, demands for immediate payment, or fake documents made to look official.
Officials say scammers often rely on four common tactics: pretending to be a trusted agency, inventing a prize or problem, applying pressure, and demanding some form of payment.
The Social Security Administration emphasized that it will never tell someone their Social Security number has been suspended, demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, ask for debit or credit card information over the phone, request payment by gift card or cash, or promise benefit approval or an increase in exchange for money or information.
Although Social Security employees may call members of the public for legitimate business reasons, those calls are generally related to a recent application, an update to a benefits record, or a call the person requested. If there is a problem with someone’s record, the agency will typically send a letter.
Meanwhile, the New Mexico Department of Justice is warning residents about a separate scam involving a fake “Notice of Hearing — Toll Violation” being sent by text and other electronic means.
The notice falsely claims to come from a Bernalillo County court and directs recipients to scan a QR code to pay an alleged toll violation. Officials say the QR code appears to lead to a fraudulent site meant to steal credit card information.
The notice includes several obvious red flags. For one, it claims to come from the “Bernalillo County Magistrate Court,” which does not exist. It also refers to unpaid toll fees even though New Mexico does not have toll roads. On top of that, it cites a statute officials say does not exist.
State officials are urging anyone who receives such a message not to scan the QR code, click links, or provide any personal or financial information. People who may already have entered payment information should contact their bank or card issuer immediately.
For Cibola County residents, the warnings are a reminder to slow down before responding to any unexpected message involving money, government agencies, or threats. Scammers often rely on panic and urgency to push people into making quick decisions.
Residents should be especially cautious if a message demands immediate payment, asks for gift cards, includes a suspicious link or QR code, or claims a government agency is about to take enforcement action.
Suspected Social Security scams can be reported through the Social Security Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. More information is available at ssa.gov/scam and ssa.gov/fraud.