| Mar 7, 2007 @ 1:47 PM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam
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NeverB4Alone
Posts: 9,014
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Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam
The Social Security Administration has received reports of an email message being circulated with the subject "Cost-of-Living for 2007 update" and purporting to be from the SSA. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and tells the email recipients to update their personal information or their account will be suspended indefinitely. They are then directed to a phony site designed to look like the official Social Security website.
Once at the bogus website, individuals are asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as their Social Security number, bank account information, and credit card information.
Patrick O'Carroll, Jr., Inspector General of Social Security, reminds the public to 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 receipt of the aforementioned fraudulent email message or other suspicious activity to Social Security's Office of Inspector General by calling the OIG Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. A Public Fraud Reporting form is also available at OIG's website at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig.
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| Mar 7, 2007 @ 2:34 PM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam |
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luvmycats
Posts: 9,752
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Never, thank you ever so much for posting this. My son receives SS and I might have fallen for that.
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| Mar 7, 2007 @ 2:59 PM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam
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NeverB4Alone
Posts: 9,014
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Your Welcome LUVS .... "SPYDERLADY" sent it to me this morning, and I thought there would be some on here that would be interested in it.
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| Mar 7, 2007 @ 4:42 PM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam |
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Loreli
Posts: 20,319
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Thank you, Never!
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| Mar 19, 2007 @ 3:46 AM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam
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redhotzz
Posts: 27
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I'll be honest~~now a days, with so MUCH of these kinds of scams going on....ANY and EVERY time I get an email that tells me for ANY reason that it needs my personal information. I either GO TO the place (my bank) myself and take a print out of the email with me (so that it helps them and their FRAUD untis and saves me a 2nd trip to do that) or I take the time to call them on a telephone and verify that they have sent such emails to their customers. I know it takes a bit of time, but how long does it take to GET YOUR IDENTITY THEFT recovered....IF you EVER do?
The Internet is a wonderful thing, but not the be-all/end-all. Just thought I'd share what has worked for me for the past 7 yrs when I had my purse stolen and was hysterical about ID theft. ***I've also stopped putting tons of information on my checks too.....only my name and address.....NO PHONE #, NO B-DATE, NO DRIVER LICENSE #...IF stores really want it, let them ask for it. Most, when you tell them why, agree and know that you are not out to do theft of them.....and work with you. I have NEVER had one store reject a check for me asking them not to put my important informations on it.
Just trying to help by sharing!
hotzz 
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| Mar 19, 2007 @ 4:07 AM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam |
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MusicMonster
Posts: 2,954
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Good article NeverB4.. Anything like that deserves great scrutiny and almost never should one comply with such instructions.
Good thinking Hotzz. Very wise practices.
On a side note, always shred everything via mail that may contain personal info or SS# and the like. Also CC applications we receive offering credit cards. Don't just pitch it in the trash. ID thieves are pretty sophisticated these days. A good shredder is essential to have in this era.. Even your trash is far from sacred. Keep it impersonal.
Although few people do, it's also good to have a secure mailbox if at all possible. Mail theft is very common these days. Sometimes even by postal employees, as in my mail-theft case. (although a secure mailbox wouldn't have helped there).
-MM 
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| Mar 20, 2007 @ 1:52 AM |
Social Security Administration Warns Of Email Scam
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grumblebear
Posts: 10,495
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there have been cases of identity theft where the information was improperly disposed of by banks and mortgage companies
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