Social Security Scams; all taxpayers should beware of them!
They are well planned by equal opportunity scammers who are everywhere.
And as a result, certain to greet you in many forms.
By Mail, email, phone, and text.
So, communication methods aside, they are all after the same thing!
Most upsetting is that criminals target people who depend on social security benefits as their main source of income.
These schemes usually involve criminals posing as Social Security Agency employees.
Their goal is to spoof people and then use their social security numbers and other important personal information.
People have filed over 76,000 reports about Social Security impostors in the last 12 months.
As a result, reported losses totaled over $19 million, according to the Federal Trade Commission which investigates consumer fraud.
Last year it was IRS scams, now In this latest blog post, you’ll discover the latest social security scams that all taxpayers should be aware of.
#1: The Threatening Phone Call
These often involve criminals pretending to be someone from the SSA.
They prey on innocent and unsuspecting people because their goal is to try to get your social security number or your money.
They can be very convincing, even going as far as identifying themselves by the name of someone who works at the SSA.
Before you know it, they have you pulling out your social security, credit or bank card.
As a result , the average losses for individuals who fall victim to this scam are close to $1,500!
I’ll bet you’re as angry and upset as I am, just thinking about that.
Social Security Scam #2: Friendly Service Phone Calls
This is when the criminal attempts to sell someone on services that the SSA already provides free of charge.
The creep will try to victimize you with an offer to provide you with a new social security card.
Then they will offer to enroll one of your new family members into a program.
They will tell you all about the expected income the new program will bring your way.
You give them your social security number or your personal information and they’ve got you!
#3: Suspended Social Security Number
It begins with a phone call or automated-robocall.
These creeps will spoof the social security administration number, making your caller ID show a call that appears to be coming from the government.
When you answer the call, they inform you that your social security number has been suspended.
Possible scenarios include:
- Your account has shown suspicious activity
- Or, you have committed a crime
Wow!
They may even go as far as to say a lawsuit is being filed against you by the U.S. Government.
That’s the bait on the hook.
From there they tell you to a call a specific phone number where you will be required to give the person on the other end of the line your personal information.
That’s not all.
To clear this up, you will be asked to send them money!
Two more social security scams include fake emails and letters that come to you by mail.
What You Need To Know:
- You don’t have to verify your social security number to anyone who calls you
- The SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards
- Anyone who tells you to do those things is a con-artist or criminal
- The real SSA number is 1-800-772-1213
- Be aware that scammers are putting that number in the caller ID
- If you’re worried about what the caller says, hang up the phone immediately
- Then call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA
- Never give any part of your Social Security number, your personal information or bank card information to anyone who contacts you!
