Both the Social Security Administration and the IRS are warning African-American seniors about scams relating to slavery reparations. Several versions of this scam exist, but all of them are fraudulent and damaging.
One version claims that the federal government will pay $5,000 to any African-American citizen born before 1927. According to these fliers, the individual must send his or her Social Security number and other personal information to a specific address in order to apply for the payment. This information can then be used to withdraw money from the victim’s bank accounts or run up bills in his or her name.

Another version of the scam charges money for false information on how to file an IRS claim for a reparations payment. The IRS has already received and rejected thousands of such claims.