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Beware of the Social Security Administration Employee Scam

Reblogger
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Most here are too aware of Internet and phone scams to ever give such information to a caller, but if you know a senior who might be taken in by such a call, please do warn them!

Original content by Robert Siciliano

There is a new Social Security scam in the news, and you should definitely know about it. The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, released a statement that warns people of this new scheme. Basically, scammers are impersonating Social Security Administration employees.

The scam started out fairly small and localized, but now, people from across the country are reporting that they are getting calls from people stating that they are from the Social Security Administration. The caller attempts to get personal information from the person they call including address and banking information.

Here’s How the Scam Works

Almost all of these calls are coming from a 323 area code, but don’t think for a second they won’t change this up. The caller says that they are an SSA employee, and sometimes tells the victim that they are getting a cost of living adjustment, so their benefits will be higher. Many callers believe this, of course, so when the scammer asks them to verify things such as their name, their birthday, their Social Security number, and even the name of their parents, they gladly do it to get an increase in their benefits. Once the scammer gets the information, they then contact the SSA and change the victim’s account information so that the benefits now go into a different account. Then, they can collect the cash.

Currently, the Social Security administration does contact people by phone in certain cases. However, the person usually knows that they should be expecting a call. It is also possible that an SSA employee might ask a person to verify information. So, none of this really seems unusual to anyone who has dealt with the SSA.

What to Do if You Get a Call

Hang up. Plain and simple. If you get a call from the Social Security Administration, you should report it immediately to 1-800-269-0271. You can also report it online.

It is also very important to be cautious, and you should avoid giving any information, such as your bank account number or Social Security number, to anyone who calls you. To check if it is a legitimate call from the SSA, tell the person calling that you are worried about scams, and ask if you can call them back. A legitimate SSA employee should be perfectly fine with this. Then, look up the number yourself. Don’t call a number that they give, no matter what. Finally, you can also contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 if you have any question about any text, letter, email, or call that you get.

Robert Siciliano personal security and identity theft expert and speaker is the author of Identity Theft Privacy: Security Protection and Fraud Prevention: Your Guide to Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft and Computer Fraud. See him knock’em dead in this Security Awareness Training video.

Comments (10)

CA COASTAL ESTATES Lauren Selinsky Perez CRS
California Coastal Estates - Aliso Viejo, CA
"Your Real Estate Broker" #oclauren

Ironically, I received a call this evening. I just ignore calls I do not recognize at this point.

L

Sep 27, 2018 11:20 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Marte Cliff great choice for a reblog.... my cell phone rings all day...if they don't leave a message, I don't return the call....if it's not a local number, I don't answer it... 

Sep 28, 2018 03:53 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Marte... I read this post the other day, but it's a great selection for a reblog... I wish these scammers could just disappear with the wave of a magic wand!

Sep 28, 2018 05:22 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Lauren Selinsky Broker CRS - I often do, but since most customers who call are strangers to me, I sometimes answer. Lately when I get one of these bogus calls I've been asking "Does it bother you to call up and lie to people?" They don't know what to say to that.

Sep 28, 2018 09:20 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Barbara Todaro - I let most calls go to voice mail, thinking that if it's someone real they'll leave a message.

Sep 28, 2018 09:21 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Nina Hollander - It would be nice if we could make them vanish. I think this scam is interesting, because it could be dangerous for the crooks. What if some quick-thinking person agreed to be there with the money and instead was there with a "fraud cop?" That would be fun to see.

Sep 28, 2018 09:23 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I'm with you, Marte... I'd love to see the scammer met by a fraud cop!

Sep 28, 2018 11:05 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Wouldn't that be fun to witness, Nina Hollander?

 

Sep 28, 2018 11:29 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am lery of most all calls I get nowdays.  Very few are legitimate calls

Sep 28, 2018 07:08 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I agree, William Feela - but every now and then, it's a new person who wants to become a client!

Sep 28, 2018 07:43 PM