TRS Event Fraud Warning

by
To: TRS Reporting Employers
From: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia
Date: October 14, 2022
Subject: TRS event fraud warning & action steps
It has come to our attention that some financial services companies are representing themselves as TRS and communicating pension plan information to our members in ways that may be incorrect or aimed at enhancing their own commissions.

Types of TRS event fraud

Fraudulent companies may communicate to TRS members through emails, text messages, or phone calls and present themselves as TRS staff. Emails may even appear to come from TRS with the TRS logo and branding. Currently there are several companies hosting events, titling them as TRS presentations and counseling sessions, and using our copyrighted material without our permission.

How to protect TRS covered employees 
  1. Members are encouraged to reach out to us to confirm if the source of the communication is from TRS. You may forward solicitations in question to eventalert@trsga.com or call us at 800-352-0650 and we will verify if it is an official TRS event.
  2. Members are also encouraged to guard their personal information and to not divulge any financial or sensitive information without vetting the source.
  3. Please alert your members to this type of fraud and remind them that the best source of information for their TRS benefit is from TRS staff. They may contact us through our call center, attend an official TRS event, or visit our website, www.TRSGA.com, where they can find their TRS online account (my TRS log in), videos, and additional information.

Does TRS partner with other organizations? 

We understand that information about the TRS pension plan is often covered during other companies’ financial presentations. This practice is fine as long as the information is accurately presented and done solely for the education of our members. However, we do not endorse or work jointly with companies using our branding, materials, or likeness in their advertisements, presentations, or counseling sessions.

Our agency will participate in outreach events with vetted, reputable vendors you have invited to visit your school system or place of business.  This type of joint session, with vetted or other reputable vendors, is not the cause of concern, and we encourage our members to participate in them.

Again, we encourage our members to get their source of information directly from TRS and properly vetted vendors. Thank you for everything you do to protect and assist your TRS covered employees!