Social Security Phone Scams are on the Rise

The increase in Social Security-related phone scams is alarming. These scam callers, alleging they are calling on behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA), will often demand sensitive personal information and/or payments to “avoid legal action.”

According to the SSA’s website (SSA.gov), Social Security employees will never:

• Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended;
• Contact you to demand an immediate payment;
• Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone;
• Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card, or cash;
• Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe; or
• Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.

If there is an issue with your Social Security record, SSA will mail you a letter.

If you receive one of these scam calls, hang up. In attempts at preventing future fraud, the SSA urges those who have experienced a phone scam to report the call in an online form found at https://oig.ssa.gov .

If you have a question about filing for social security disability, or if you’re helping a family member or loved one with their disability claim and have a question, please contact us to set up a free, no-obligation case review. Call (865) 540-8300 or email info@garzalaw.com.