Authorities are urging the public to be on the lookout for calls from scam artists, who also are sending fake Social Security documents by email “to convince victims to comply with their demands.”
The alert was recently issued by Gail S. Ennis, the inspector general of Social Security.
The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General has received reports from people who received emails with attached letters and reports that appeared to be from Social Security or Social Security OIG.
The letters may use “official” letterhead and government “jargon” to convince potential victims they are legitimate; they may also contain misspellings and grammar mistakes, according to the alert.
This is the latest variation on Social Security phone scams, which continue to be widespread throughout the United States.
Using robocalls or live callers, fraudsters pretend to be government employees and claim there is identity theft or another problem with one’s Social Security number, account, or benefits, federal officials said.
They may threaten arrest or other legal action, or may offer to increase benefits, protect assets, or resolve identity theft. They often demand payment via retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency such as Bitcoin, or pre-paid debit card, according to the alert.
Ennis urges continued vigilance against all types of phone scams no matter what “proof” callers may offer.
Ennis said Social Security will never:
- Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee;
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment;
- Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card; or
- Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If there is ever a problem with your Social Security number or record, in most cases Social Security will mail you a letter, Ennis said in the alert.
If you do need to submit payments to Social Security, the agency will send a letter with instructions and payment options. You should never pay a government fee or fine using retail gift cards, cash, internet currency, wire transfers, or pre-paid debit cards, Social Security officials said.
The scammers ask for payment that way because it’s very difficult to trace and recover, officials said.
If you receive a call or email that you believe to be suspicious, about a problem with your Social Security number or account, hang up or do not respond.
Officials encourage the public to report Social Security phone scams using our dedicated online form.
Click here for more information.
