Dear Friend,

I wanted to share an update about two lawsuits the Alliance recently filed to protect older Americans’ sensitive personal and financial data from unwarranted access and disclosure from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

We filed these suits because we are alarmed that the Trump Administration allowed so-called DOGE staff to access millions of older Americans’ sensitive personal and financial data housed at the Department of Treasury and the Social Security Administration.

Seniors are already the most vulnerable Americans to fraud and scams, with FBI data showing losses of $3.4 billion in 2023 alone.

While our cases work their way through the court system, we encourage Alliance members to be extra-vigilant and closely monitor their financial records.

Visit identitytheft.gov to learn about the warning signs of identity theft, report scams, and come up with a data recovery plan if necessary
Monitor your bank account, credit reports, and Social Security benefit amounts to make sure that they are accurate.
Watch for more tips on the Alliance’s Facebook and Bluesky accounts next week during “Slam the Scam” week (March 3 - March 9)

Alliance for Retired Americans, et al. v. Secretary of Treasury Bessent

On Monday, in a Washington, DC federal district court District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly held a hearing. She has ruled that the Alliance, and our co-plaintiffs AFGE and SEIU, have standing to bring this lawsuit and expressed skepticism about the constitutionality of DOGE office. The Treasury Department now has until March 10 to provide more details to the court. After that, our lawyers will have an opportunity to respond.

AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Federation of Teachers v. Social Security Administration, Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner, and U.S. DOGE Service

Last Friday the Alliance joined AFSCME and AFT and filed a lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) in federal district court in Maryland. This case asserts that DOGE personnel have unlawfully accessed Americans’ personal, confidential Social Security data kept by SSA.

We will keep you updated on our efforts to protect your data and fight back against anyone who threatens the retirement and health care benefits you have earned.

Sincerely,

Richard Fiesta

Executive Director

Alliance for Retired Americans