Social Security Benefits Scam Alert
In a 2010 survey of seniors, the non-profit Investor Protection Trust projected that 1 in 5 seniors had been taken advantage of financially. Unfortunately, seniors are often targets of phishing schemes, and can cost you everything.
Phishing is a form of fraud in which the attacker tries to learn information such as login credentials or account information by masquerading as a reputable entity or person in email, IM or other communication channels.
Most recently, the Social Security Inspector General and Federal Trade Commission released an alert regarding a new scam aimed at seniors. Scammers are trying to get your personal information including social security numbers, bank account numbers and the like by offering to help complete applications for disability benefits and claims.
If scammers get your information, you could face identity theft and benefit theft. So here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself:
- Never give your Social Security number or account numbers to someone who calls you.
- Don’t wire money or send money using a prepaid debit card. In fact, never pay someone who calls out of the blue.
- If you have disability benefits, regularly check their status, and review your statements to make sure they’re right.
- Pressured to provide your information? That’s a sure sign of a scam. Hang up immediately and report it to the Social Security Fraud Hotline and the FTC.
