Scammers are always devising new ways to separate honest, hardworking individuals from their money. Your Social Security number is the gateway to identity theft, and once someone has it, you could find yourself in a big financial and personal mess. Let’s take a look at some of the most common Social Security scams, what to do if you’ve been scammed and how to protect yourself from con artists.
Social Security Impersonators
The most common method of Social Security number breaches is the impersonation of Social Security employees. In 2021, there were about 360,000 reports of Social Security impersonators received by the Office of the Inspector General. In 2020, that number was even higher. Cell service providers are catching on and intercepting some of these calls, but millions still make it through to unsuspecting individuals. According to T-Mobile, about 10% of the scam calls flagged by its security system were Social Security impersonators. That amounted to more than 2 billion calls.
How Social Security Impersonation Works
One method of Social Security impersonation involves someone calling you about some kind of problem with your Social Security number. For example, the person might tell you that your Social Security number was used in a tax fraud crime. They will ask you to confirm your number so they can issue you a new one. This is a scam. They want your data and money. The Social Security Administration never suspends or blocks the numbers of living people.
The second method of Social Security impersonation involves robocalls. A recording gives you a number to call to fix a supposed problem with your Social Security account. In other robocalls, you get a message that the authorities are going to lock your bank account, but you can transfer your funds to them for safekeeping.
Some Social Security impersonation scams involve good news that gets you excited. The caller might claim you’re getting a benefits increase or that you won a lottery. All you need to do to get your funds or prize is provide a few details, including your name, date of birth and Social Security number. Once the scammer has that information, they can go online and redirect your deposits to their own accounts.
Phishing Emails
Phishing emails use social engineering to get you comfortable and take an action desired by the scammer. They use legitimate-looking graphics and words in their messages. They may even send credentials, such as badge numbers, in order to gain your trust. The Social Security Administration never reaches out to people at random. You will only get an email or text when you’ve attempted to access your own account. The real Social Security Administration doesn’t issue threats or send prizes. If you were overpaid and owe them money, you’ll get an official notice sent through the United States Postal Service.
Warning Signs of Social Security Scams
The top warning sign of a Social Security scam is an unsolicited communication from someone who claims to work for the Social Security Administration. They don’t call you unless you’ve already called them. The Social Security Administration will never ask you to confirm your number. It won’t threaten to arrest you or suspend your benefits. It won’t ask you for gift cards, debit cards or cryptocurrency.
What to Do If a Social Security Scammer Contacts You
If someone calls you and claims they’re from the Social Security Administration, hang up. Set up a My Social Security account, and check it each month to see if anything looks unusual, such as someone claiming your benefits or deposits into your account for a job you don’t have. Use a robocall blocker on your phone. If you’re unsure of whether or not a call is really from the Social Security Administration, call their official number and ask if they recently called you or sent you an email. Report any text, email or phone scams to the Social Security Administration. Their website offers a convenient way to report scams and fraudulent activities. The Social Security’s Fraud Hotline 800-269-0271 is available to report any scam related to Social Security.
Avoid Doing These Things If a Social Security Impostor Contacts You
Don’t return calls from robocallers. Avoid calling any numbers from a suspicious email or text. Be aware that scammers often spoof official numbers. This makes it look like their call is coming from the Social Security Administration’s real phone number. If you need to reach the Social Security Administration, call their official number, which is posted on their website. Never provide your Social Security number by email or text. Don’t click any links in an email claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. Instead, hover your mouse or cursor over the link. This shows you the real destination address. The real Social Security Administration website has a .gov/ extension and includes the forward slash. If there is any character between the .gov and the forward slash, it’s a fraudulent link.
Actions to Take If You Got Scammed
If you’ve already been scammed by a Social Security impersonator, file an identity theft report with your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission. Put fraud alerts on your credit cards, and contact your banks and healthcare providers. You could also freeze your credit so that no new accounts can be opened with your Social Security number. Stay up-to-date on the newest Social Security scams by following their social media. The Social Security Administration’s website also has a news area with information about scams and fraudulent activity.
Scammers are creative and persistent in their efforts to part people from their money. Be suspicious whenever anyone requests your Social Security number, especially if you didn’t initiate the contact. The Social Security Administration takes fraud seriously, and the Office of the Inspector general encourages anyone who thinks they’ve spotted a scam or anyone who has been scammed to file a report as quickly as possible. Taking these steps and maintaining awareness will help you protect your financial future.