SSA Inspector General Fraud Warning

If you are a recipient of Social Security benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), news that you might be eligible to get more money would likely be welcomed. After all, the amount of money that the average recipient receives each month (while helpful) is not a whole lot of money. So, if you were to receive a phone call from somebody working for the SSA, you may not hesitate to answer any questions, if it were a means to a greater financial end.

Please be advised that if you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Social Security employee, it may be a fraudulent scam. Someone attempting to phish information out of you, such as your social security number (SSN). Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General, Gale Stallworth Stone, has issued two scam alerts for SSA benefits recipients.

SSA Is Not On the Other End

The Inspector General would like all recipients to be vigilantly cautious about anyone who calls claiming to be employed by the administration. With one scammer luring people to divulge personal information by enticing them with a 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase of their Social Security benefits. Calling from a "323" area code, according to Forbes, the imposter attempts to get victims to verify their personal information, including:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Parents’ Name
• Social Security Number
• Any Other Personal Information

If the SSA imposter succeeds, they will use the information to alter victim’s direct deposit, address, and telephone information. Thus, scamming them out of their benefits. The second fraudulent act occurring right now involves former clients of Kentucky disability attorney Eric C. Conn. The Inspector General warns that the calls come from 202-681-5115, and the scammer will offer victims $9,000 from a “Conn Client Compensation Fund” (nonexistent) if they send $200 to the “Federal Reserve Bank of New York.”

Protecting Yourself from Fraud

You can learn how to protect yourself and your clients, here. But below you will find three tips from the Inspector General:

• Understand the threats. Be wary of scammers who may impersonate government officials or seek advance payment for services.
• Exercise caution. In general, no government agency or reputable company will solicit your personal information over the phone or by email, or request an advance fee.
• Secure your information. Store your Social Security number in a safe location — don’t carry it with you. Shred documents that include your personal information.

Moving forward...

If you live in the Orange County area of California and you believe you might have responded to a scam call regarding your Social Security information, please take the time to contact Attorney Stephanie Merritt Driscoll of Driscoll Law Corporation. We may be able to assist you in reaching out to the appropriate Social Security Administration department to alert the SSA of a possible scam.