Consumer Alert
Scammers offering to help with disability applications
Scammers are trying to get personal information from people by pretending to help with applications for disability benefits and claims. A recent alert from the Social Security Inspector General warns of this phishing scam, and — whether or not you’ve started an application for benefits — these scammers could contact you. They’re taking a shot in the dark, hoping that you have started an application, and hoping you’ll give them a little more info over the phone. To “complete the process,” they might ask you to give, or confirm, your Social Security number or bank account numbers.
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.
If you have questions about disability benefits, or get calls offering help with them, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. And read up on more ways to combat phishing and identity theft.
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In reply to Thanks informasion by bangyasri
In reply to Thanks informasion by bangyasri
In reply to 5418012414 this is the new by Northwest
In reply to 5418012414 this is the new by Northwest
In reply to Thanks informasion by bangyasri
I think I have been hacked many times and have tried repeatedly to fix it, I'm positive in fact my phone and tablet at this very moment has just been completely, or I thought redone with no solution insight! I hate to just keep getting new Facebook accounts etc.!? When I was trying to type this very reply it almost wouldn't let me, I have to be very careful! P.S.Very Concerned!
In reply to I think I have been hacked by Misty36
You can report identity theft and get help at IdentityTheft.gov.
This FTC article explains what to do if your email was hacked.
In reply to You can report identity theft by FTC Staff
In reply to You can report identity theft by FTC Staff
In reply to I have been receiving up to 6 by BonnieJ
In reply to Me too! They just called by WKA
In reply to Don't say "YES" when these by ASC
In reply to I also heard from this by johnsonrw
In reply to I have been receiving up to 6 by BonnieJ
In reply to I just received a call from by Car
In reply to I have been receiving up to 6 by BonnieJ
In reply to I think I have been hacked by Misty36
I received a call on my telephone yesterday that was a recorded message on this very topic. The phone number that came up on my phone: 248.304.7938
In reply to I received a call on my by ES
Please report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to I received a call on my by ES
In reply to TD has overcharged me by 161954
You could talk to someone at your bank, or call the customer service number. There is usually a number on the back of your debit card. You could explain the situation and ask if they offer different kinds of accounts that don't have as many fees, or if they have other ways to help you reduce fees.
In reply to I had a call last week from by jeanteach
When someone pressures you to provide information, it's a sign of a scam. You can report the call to the Social Security Fraud Hotline and the FTC.
If you have questions about disability benefits, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
I have been attracted for three years or more someone keeps controlling my time warner account every cell phonevi bring into my hom is uncontrilable i get letters in mail that im blind cant hear. Also my husbands name also lost him with cancer spent thiysand reports u name it i been there a box if cells and computers a book if enail and changed passwords not to say also this person hacks too use social media on my phone blocks me like a child really ick if someone hacks too social and I see a lit if numbers next too to help on here? Then he states wants his privacy in MY itams and he's being hacked?
In reply to How do I know if the agency by Mary
If you have questions about disability benefits, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
When you call the Social Security Administration yourself, you know you're talking to the real agency.
If someone calls and wants your social security number, or says you should send money, you can hang up. Call the real Social Security Administration to ask about benefits. Or, go to ssa.gov.
First off I m a victim of Identity theft and Freaud at this time since Oct 2015.
How nan one tell whether or not they are actually using my social as opposed to ,y existing accounts, changing my address, attempt to open new accounts with my personal info.
and they do know the last four digits of my social as well as my mother's maiden name? Thank you.
In reply to First off I m a victim of by Marie …
You can go to IdentityTheft.gov to report the identity theft. You can describe what happened, and you will get a personal plan to help you recover.
The site tells how to check your credit report to see if someone opened new credit, or is using your existing accounts. It tells how to place a credit freeze to stop people from opening new accounts.
In reply to some one call me Bryan by nana
In reply to I recieved a text message by Girlpower44
In reply to The really sad thing is that by TheyThinkImDumb
In reply to The first bullet of advice is by Lucky
If you call Social Security to discuss your care - and you know who you're talking with - you may need to give your Social Security number.
But if someone calls you out of the blue, and simply claims to be with Social Security, don't share your number. Hang up, and contact Social Security yourself.
In reply to The first bullet of advice is by Lucky
In reply to My daughter receive a call by Marlin
Please report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.