ALERT! – Social Security Scam -ALERT!

Published On November 1, 2018 | By Tom Huskerson | Alerts

 

If you, or a loved one, gets a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) you best be on alert. According to the Federal Trade Commission scammers are using spoofed phone numbers seeking personal information.

Consumer Reports says that the incoming calls show SSA’s customer service number, 800-772-1213, on caller ID . But since the number has been spoofed it can be coming from anywhere in the world. Phone number spoofing is a common tactic for scammers trying to fool their victims. Spoofing involves software used to disguise a number making it appear to be coming from a legitimate source. 

Here is how the scam works. The caller will claim to be a Social Security employee and will tell you your file lacks necessary personal information, such as your Social Security number. The caller may also claim to need additional information in order to increase your benefit payment. Or threaten to cut off your benefits if you don’t confirm the information he or she has.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the scam is being reported all over the country. What should you do if you get a call? First, hang up and call the SSA yourself using a number you know to be the correct one. A few other things to keep in mind is that the SSA will not threaten you to get information. Nor will they promise you additional benefits for information. Second, report the call to SSA’s Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271 or on its website. You can also report these calls to the FTC.

These type of scams are extremely dangerous especially to older people on Social Security. If a scammer gets someone’s Social Security number they can really wreak havoc in your life by stealing your identity. Among criminals a Social Security number is the golden key. Be aware and warn your elders of the scam.

 

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About The Author

Tom Huskerson Bio Born in Richmond Virginia Tom Huskerson is a military veteran who settled in California after his discharge. Tom attended Santa Barbara City College where he began his writing career as a campus reporter. He worked as an intern news reporter for the Santa Barbara News-Press writing feature stories before moving on to San Francisco. At San Francisco State University Tom studied broadcast communications and began to focus on the Internet. He completed his graduate thesis on Internet advertising. Tom was the first student to ever focus on the Internet as a graduate student at San Francisco State University. After graduation he went to work for Zona Research in California’s Silicone Valley. As a research associate Tom supported senior analyst writing on the latest developments in the Internet industry. During the dot com boom Tom worked for several web businesses as a market researcher and analyst. As a writer and researcher Tom has authored various technical works including a training program for Charles Schwab security. Other projects included professional presentations on workplace violence and hiring security contractors. Tom has also written both fiction and non-fiction works and blogging for a travel website. He has published two books of short stories and completed two novels. Tom is the owner of Scribe of Life Literature and EbonyCandle.com. Tom is not the chief editor for the OnTechStreet. com. A news and information blog that focuses on tech news for African-Americans. The blog is the result of his desire to inform the African American community of the dangers and benefits of the cyber age. In his blog Tom reports on information security, new and analysis, scams and hoaxes, legal happenings and various topics that arise from the age of information. Tom believes that technology is a necessary tool for black people and they should know what is happening. Tom writes believing that techno speak is for the professional and that valuable information can be communicated using plain language. As a result he has embraced the motto, Less Tech, More Knowledge.

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