AFTERNOON. NEW THIS MORNING, STATE POLICE SAY A SCAMMER STOLE MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM TWO PEOPLE IN LANCASTER COUNTY. TROOPERS SAY THE SCAMMER CONTACTED THE VICTIMS IN PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, PRETENDING TO BE THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. STATE POLICE SAY THE SCAMMER TOLD ONE OF THE VICTIMS THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HAD BEEN COMPROMISED AND TOLD THEM TO LIQUIDATE THEIR RETIREMENT ASSETS AND BUY GOLD. STATE POLICE SAY SCAMMERS THEN COLLECTED THE GOLD, WORTH $1.3 MILLION, AS PAYMENT FOR THE NEW SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, WHICH OF COURSE W
$1.3 MILLION SCAM | Social security imposter swindles Lancaster County residents to purchase gold, police say
Updated: 7:32 AM EST Dec 16, 2025
A social security imposter scammed two Lancaster County residents out of $1.3 million, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Troopers said two 78-year-olds from Providence Township fell victim to a person who posed as a Social Security Administration employee. The unknown suspect told the victims that one of their Social Security numbers was compromised and they needed a new one, according to police. Investigators said the imposter gave the victims detailed instructions to liquidate their retirement assets, stealing a total of $1,328,652. The suspect used the money to purchase gold that was collected by unknown individuals as payment under the guise of purchasing a new Social Security number, according to police. The incident remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police. Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more. See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
A social security imposter scammed two Lancaster County residents out of $1.3 million, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Troopers said two 78-year-olds from Providence Township fell victim to a person who posed as a Social Security Administration employee.
The unknown suspect told the victims that one of their Social Security numbers was compromised and they needed a new one, according to police.
Investigators said the imposter gave the victims detailed instructions to liquidate their retirement assets, stealing a total of $1,328,652.
The suspect used the money to purchase gold that was collected by unknown individuals as payment under the guise of purchasing a new Social Security number, according to police.
The incident remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police.
Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.