Social Security e-mail scam

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

If you get an e-mail about the cost-of-living increases for 2007 Social Security benefits that purports to be from the Social Security Administration, don’t answer it and don’t click on any links in the e-mail. It’s a scam.

Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, and Patrick O’Carroll, Jr., Inspector General of Social Security, issued a warning today about a new email scam that has surfaced recently.

The Agency has received several reports of an email message being circulated with the subject “Cost-of-Living for 2007 update” purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following “NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely.” The reader is then directed to a website designed to look like Social Security’s Internet website.

“I am outraged that someone would target an unsuspecting public in this manner,” said Commissioner Barnhart. “I have asked the Inspector General to use all the resources at his command to find and prosecute whoever is perpetrating this fraud.”

Once directed to the phony website, the individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as the individual’s Social Security number, bank account information and credit card information.

Inspector General O’Carroll recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information. “You should never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information,” O’Carroll said.

You can report suspicious e-mails and other Social Security fraud activity to Social Security’s Office of Inspector General at 800-269-0271. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number at 866-501-2101). Click her for an online Public Fraud Reporting form.

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