A new scam is targeting Social Security recipients, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) has sent out a warning to millions of Americans. According to the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG), scammers are mailing out fake letters that look like they came from the U.S. Supreme Court, and they aim to convince beneficiaries that they are in serious trouble with the government.
The letter that is being around by scammers looks real and official with government seals and formal language. It’s important to remember that this letter is fake. The aim of this is to frighten beneficiaries into giving out personal information or sending out money.
The SSA’s Warning
These criminals continue to instil fear and make beneficiaries confused, by making it seem like they are from official government departments.
Unfortunately, these scammers have posed as government officials before, but this time, they are using the Supreme Court name to make beneficiaries scared. Scammers will do anything to make the letter look real.
How the Scam Works
The recipient will receive a letter in the mail that looks real and official. The letter will state things like the beneficiaries Social Security account is being investigated or that their benefits may stop because there is a legal problem.
Most of the time, the letter will include a phone number or a website, and it will try and convince you to click or call to fix the issue. Once you do this, the scammers pretend to help you but they are actually trying to get your Social Security number and other personal details or even get you to send payments to them.
As per the SSA, no government department will threaten you or demand money from you in order to continue receiving benefits.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Letter
If you get one of these fake letters, don’t panic. Here’s what to do:
- The letter will have phone numbers and website links, do not call any numbers and don’t click on any link.
- Be sure to contact the SSA to verify.
- Report the scam.
- Be mindful of any suspicious language on the letter, such as threatening language, poor grammar, or odd formatting.
- If you unintentionally disclosed personal information, get in touch with your bank immediately and think about adding a fraud alert to your credit report.
Why Older Adults Are Targeted
Many of the elderly population rely on Social Security for their essential expenses and these are the ones who are targeted the most. They are most likely to respond because they are afraid that their benefits may be cut.
How to Protect Yourself Going Forward
Even though the SSA is trying to make the public aware of this matter, it’s important for retirees and recipients to remember that the SSA will never threaten to cut your benefits or ask for money via unusual means.
If you receive a letter, take a moment to analyse the letter and see if you find anything suspicious. These criminals want you to panic and make decisions hastily. Before you take any further action, always confirm with authoritative sources.
The Bottom Line
It is a rather sad reality that scammers will do anything to get money or personal information out of people. Recipients must remember that even though the letter looks real, it’s not.
Beneficiaries are urged to stay updated and informed and if they receive any such letter, remain and take action by reporting it.
Remain alert and be mindful when making decisions and try and share information with family and friends to prevent them from being a victim of this scam.