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Social Security Scam Alert

Protect Yourself From Social Security Scams

Social Security scams are one the of most common, next to phone, email phishing, and unemployment benefit scams. Younger people and seniors are more susceptible of falling for someone claiming to be from Social Security. And that’s not surprising considering more than 66 million Americans receive Social Security benefits.

According to Social Security Administration, Social Security Fraud involves obtaining something of value through willful misrepresentation. In the context of [their] programs, fraud exists when a person fails to disclose a material fact for use in getting benefits and payments.

Criminals are constantly discovering new creative ways and opportunities to steal your personal information and money. But do not fall for it! Be alert and know what falsified scams are out there.

 

Social Security Scams

Fraud Examples Include:

  • Asking for your Social Security number (SSN)
  • Using someone else’s SSN
  • Buying or selling SSN cards
  • Threatening you with arrest or other legal matters
  • Spoofing, a technique used to make the Social Security phone number appear on your screen
  • Impersonating Social Security employees
  • Suppressing facts that affect eligibility for benefits
  • Fake web pages designed as the SSA website that capture your personal information
  • Direct mail pieces offering higher benefit rates
  • False statements on claims

How To Prevent Getting Scammed:

  • Never give your personal information out to an unexpected call, text or email
  • Block unwanted calls and texts so they don’t happen again
  • Never carry your Social Security card with you but store it in a secure location
  • Never say your SSN in public
  • Shred any documents with your personal or financial information on them
  • Never click on a link received in an email you are not familiar with
  • Never pay someone who demands payment via gift cards, money transfer or mail money to someone you don’t know
  • Safeguard all passwords for your various accounts and change them often to prevent fraud
  • Check your credit report on a regular basis to ensure no one has compromised your financial information

If you spot a suspicious Social Security fraud or think you may have been personally scammed, always report it to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Federal Trade Commission. Get as detailed as possible in your report which should include phone number, email address, website, the name the caller gave, what information you were asked for, and the time and date of the incident. Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s page for additional scam-related information.

Contact Lowery Law Group at info@lowerylegal.com or call (843) 991-0733. There is no fee for a free consultation regarding your claim. Lowery Law Group is experienced in handling cases in South Carolina as well as Georgia.