Beware of TRS Imposters

​​​Some members and retirees have contacted TRS to ask whether TRS employees or representatives initiate meetings with members — whether at home, work or online — to discuss TRS benefits.

The answer is no – TRS staff members and representatives do not go to members’ and retirees’ homes or offices. If someone asks to meet with you in your home or office, that person does not represent TRS. TRS also does not initiate meetings with members by sending an electronic request such as an email or Zoom meeting request.

TRS will only meet with members who call TRS Member Services and request to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment at TRS offices. And TRS will only initiate contact with members when returning a call back or resolving a request through a secure message. ​TRS may need to initiate contact with members under very unique circumstances. If this is the case, TRS Counselors will not request confidential information but instead inform the member of the important information.

Some organizations use names that sound like TRS and solicit TRS members and retirees for the purpose of offering supplemental insurance or investment services. These vendors may send you postcards and email messages. They may also represent that they work with TRS benefits or can advise you regarding TRS benefits and the retirement process. These communications are often sent by private, for-profit groups that may wish to sell you something or promise printouts containing tax or retirement information for those who respond. 

Again, TRS does not advise you regarding the best retirement strategy for you or offer financial advice. Please carefully review the materials these solicitors provide before responding. Respond to them only if you believe their information or services would be to your advantage and you do not mind receiving follow-up information. Remember: TRS does not authorize or endorse any financial planners. Information about your potential retirement benefits from TRS benefit counselors is available to you at no cost from TRS.

Here are some tips you may wish to follow with unsolicited vendors:

• Verify the source. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy, it’s safest to end the conversation and reference an official website or statement to obtain legitimate contact information first-hand.​
• Carefully review the credentials of these solicitors and materials they provide before responding.
• ​ Respond to the solicitors only if you believe their information or services would be to your advantage and you do not mind receiving follow-up information.
• Do not divu​lge personal or financial information unless you have an established business relationship with the requestor or are certain of the trustworthiness of the representative.
• ​Do not give out confidential information or money to permit the planner to open a MyTRS ​account on your behalf.
• Before clicking on a link in an unsolicited email or providing personal information to any requestor, consider how it may be used or misused, including what assurances you have received that your information will be confidentially maintained rather than sold. Some links embedded in emails from unknown senders are used to mine data from your personal computer.
• As with any unsolicited telephone calls, emails, or in-person contact, use caution providing information and/or access to your home.​