In the digital age, frauds and scams are an unfortunate part of doing business online. Social Security scammers are out there. And the Social Security Office has seen a spike in phishing scams.
Please take note; there’s a Social Security impersonation scam going around right now.
Here’s What’s Happening
You might receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security. Pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. Some calls state that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Others claim Social Security needs more information to increase your benefit payment. They may even threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
What to do:
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, be cautious. Don’t give out sensitive information like your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Sometimes Social Security employees contact people by telephone for customer-service purposes. Usually, this is because when they have business with us. A Social Security employee may request the person confirm personal information over the phone.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information. They will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. Those calls are fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Remember, only call official phone numbers and use secured websites of the agencies and businesses you know are correct. Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to secure today and tomorrow.
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