Social Security is sending out another reminder to the public about scams and frauds that continue to target vulnerable Americans.
Jack Myers with Social Security indicates scammers are always finding new ways to steal money and personal information. He emphasizes one of the most effective ways to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and e-mails.
If you are faced with one of these calls or e-mails, there are 3 things you should do. Myers stresses again hang up right away or don’t reply to the e-mail and don’t click on any links either. But also refuse to give up your personal information or make a payment of any kind and you can report the scam at oig.ssa.gov.
To know what not to do, it can be helpful to understand what a scammer might say or do. If the caller claims to be from Social Security, you can identify the scam by understanding that Social Security will never threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee. He adds Social Security will never promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
Myers adds Social Security will not ever require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card. Nor will they demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem or send official documents containing personally identifiable information via e-mail. He adds if you owe money to Social Security they will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payments options, and information about appealing.
A common tactic scammers use is posing as federal employees or law enforcement. Myers points out they may claim that your Social Security number is linked to a crime or they may even threaten to arrest you if you don’t comply with their instructions.
He also stresses, if you do not have active or ongoing business with Social Security, it is unlikely they will be contacting you.
You can report any scams you receive to the Office of the Inspector General by visiting oig.ssa.gov.
