A new scam is diverting social security checks from seniors by re-routing the checks using direct deposit systems at banks.

Scammers typically gain the name and bank account number of victims through phony lottery and sweepstakes schemes. Then the scammers call the bank posing as the victims and re-route the checks to an account the scam artists can tap.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is asking the Social Security Administration to notify recipients by e-mail, text, letters, and automated phone calls whenever their account is altered.

Schumer is making his request Sunday.

The Social Security Administration is on the case. It found more than 19,000 unauthorized attempts to change direct deposit accounts and receives another 50 each day.

There was no immediate response from the federal agency on Friday.

(AP)