Scams
are no joking matter; don't become an April fool
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[June 10, 2011]
Being
the butt of an April fool’s joke is fine when it’s good-natured fun.
But no one wants to fall victim to a scam artist or identity thief.
You may think you’re safe
simply by not carrying your Social Security card with you and not
providing your personal information over the Internet or by email.
But scam artists have become shrewd. Never reply to an email
claiming to be from Social Security and asking for your Social
Security number or personal information. |
Identity theft is one of the
fastest-growing crimes in America. If you think you’ve been the
victim of an identity thief, you should contact the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) at
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft.
Or, you can call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY
1-866-653-4261.
Some people who receive
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are
often victimized by misleading advertisers. Often, these companies
offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same
services are available directly from Social Security free of charge.
These services include getting a:
- corrected Social
Security card showing a bride's married name;
- Social Security card
to replace a lost card;
- Social Security
Statement; and
- Social Security number
for a child.
Some direct scammers
suggest that Social Security is in dire financial shape and that
people risk losing their Social Security or Medicare benefits unless
they send a contribution or membership fee to the advertiser.
If you receive or see what
you believe is misleading advertising for Social Security services,
send the complete mailing, including the envelope, to: Office of the
Inspector General, Fraud Hotline, Social Security Administration,
P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235. Also, advise your State's
attorney general or consumer affairs office and the Better Business
Bureau.
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column] |
Learn more about identity
theft at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html.
Read about misleading advertising at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10005.html.
Please don’t let a scam
artist or identity thief make an April fool out of you.
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
|