There is a new trend in the scammer world - hybrid "long-cons".

Scammers are using fake Amazon or PayPal or other tech support e-mails and text messages to get your attention. Jack Myers with Social Security explains if you connect with somebody to resolve this fake problem, the scammer may then state that while searching your computer to fix the alleged problem, they found other problems, mainly with your SSN. 

A recent news article shared the story of a woman in Ohio who liquidated over $500,000 in retirement savings to buy gold and turned it over to scammers who showed up at her house after a several month version of this long con involving scammers impersonating SSA and other federal government agents. The victim said she spoke with the scammer nearly every day during the scam and was very confident in him. Myers stresses Social Security will not meet up with you to receive payments.

According to Myers, scams often target the elderly population because of the money they are perceived to have in retirement savings and other places.

To learn more about protecting yourself and reporting Social Security related scams visit www.ssa.gov/scam. You can also report the scam to oig.ssa.gov and notify the law enforcement team of the Office of Inspector General.