Real Possibilities
November 9-15, 2020
The Social Security Administration is probably NOT calling you!
By Nan Selz
Executive Council, AARP Arkansas
The AARP Fraud Watch Network recently learned about a popular new scam. It involves a phone call which appears to be from the Social Security Administration. Your caller ID makes it look like the Social Security Administration is calling you, but someone has “spoofed” their actual tollfree number. “Spoofing” is a fraudulent or malicious practice by which someone you don’t know can disguise themselves as someone you recognize on your caller ID. It happens most often in communication mechanisms without a high level of security.
The caller wants you to think the actual federal agency is calling so you won’t be suspicious when they ask you to provide them with vital financial or personal information. The caller claims to be an employee of the Social Security Administration. They usually say they are calling to verify your information or to collect additional information in order to be able to increase your benefits or keep your benefits from being terminated.
Social Security Administration employees sometimes do contact recipients by phone. They may request you to confirm personal information, but you should never give personal or financial data such as your Social Security number or your bank account number on the telephone to anyone you don’t know. SSA employees will never promise you additional benefits or threaten termination of benefits in exchange for information.
If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. If you think the call was actually from the Social Security Administration, you can call them back directly at 1-800-772-1213. You can report SSA scam calls to them at 1-800-269-0271. You can get more information about this particular scam from the Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/newsroom/scam-awareness.
More valuable information about remaining safe on the telephone and online is available through the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
