Over 60 million Americans have Social Security benefits. Stories of scam artists incorporating the program’s brand in fraudulent emails, text and calls are not surprising anymore. And the best way to get someone else’s Social Security number is to impersonate Social Security Staff!
This scheme is not new to the Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In fact, they received about 360,000 reports regarding the Social Security imitators and related scams last 2021.
Common Social Security Scams
A lot of Americans fall victim to scammers relating to Social Security every year. It happens through calls, emails, or messages.
Let’s enumerate the common social security scams and how to avoid this.
Imposter SSA Staff
The common technique generates fake employees of SSA or Social Security Administration telling about the supposed trouble with your Social Security Number. Mostly, they will tell you that your account is being linked to a criminal activity and gets frozen.
Although this is not considered an emergency, it is a way to get your personal information and money as well. They often contact victims through phishing calls, messages, and emails.
Keep away from this fraud and remember that Social Security will never block or suspend numbers.
Fake Threatening Phone Calls
Another modus operandi correspondent to Social Security benefits is threatening phone calls. It typically involves people or robotic voices claiming to be Social Security Administration stating that you make improper action in your account.
The scammers will ask for a return call to some unknown number to address the issue and will take legal action if their victim fails to submit the required information.
To avoid this instance, keep in mind that Social Security will never get personal information through this method, but in actual and exclusive conversation.
Fraudulent Email
In this world where Photoshop is popular, scams performed electronically are increasing. Likewise, fraud through email is very common today. The victims will receive email appearing to be from SSA along with attachments that are almost similar to the letters from SSA with the latter seal and even font styles.
The typical reason they will tell you is that you have increased your benefits and to get the extra benefits, you must have to pay the fee and verify your personal data such as complete name, birth date and Social Security number.
Some fraudsters will use real names of SSA Officials together with fabricated badge numbers and SSA logo or letterhead to look more intimidating and legitimate.
However, the real SSA members will never reach you unexpectedly. If there is a case that they need you to verify your identity, they will never force you to take action immediately. SSA employees don’t normally increase your Social Security benefits or some related assistance in response to a payment.
Recognize Government Impersonator Scams
Since several scammers pretend to be a government employee, you will recognize the scammers when:
- They threaten to arrest you and claim that your account is being linked to illegal transactions.
- Pledge a benefit increase, but in return, you need to pay the fee.
- Suspend your personal Social Security Number.
- Demands you to wire payments through debit cards, gift cards, bitcoin, cryptocurrency or whatever internet currency.
- And the caller or sender states that there is a problem in your Social Security account.
Protect Yourself and Report Social Security Scams
With all the scams above, being vigilant excludes yourself from being one of these scams’ victims. But under circumstances you receive this kind of call or any suspicious call, it is safe to hang up and block the caller immediately.
Make sure that your information, such as your Social Security card, is kept securely. Your password must be kept only to yourself and it is ideal to change it regularly to diminish the chance of being scammed.
Thus, if you receive a suspicious phone call and suspect it as a scam, report the call as fast as you can and submit a fraud report on the OIG website. You may also call the Office of the Inspector General or the OIG hotline (1-800-269-0271).
Be sure to document every proof like telephone or mobile number, website, name of the caller, accurate time and date of the call and anything else that might help the authorities to identify those scammers.
Summary
You will never know when scammers might associate with you. The safe thing to do is to be proactive. Unknown and suspicious calls must report to oig.ssa.gov immediately. When in doubt, always do check the surrounding details for alarming signs.
Spread the word and educate others so they will not experience this kind of fraud that may lead to losing their hard-earned cash.