FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2017
RE: PRESS RELEASE - SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IMPERSONATION SCHEME
According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have received reports from citizens across the country about receiving phone calls from individuals posing as SSA employees. The caller indicates that citizens are due a 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase of their Social Security benefits and goes on to ask citizens to verify personal information, including their name, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), etc. to receive the increase. If the impersonator is successful in acquiring this information, they use it to contact SSA and request changes to the victim’s direct deposit, address and telephone information.
What Can You Do?
Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls or other communications from people claiming to be from SSA or other government agencies. Know the source of the communication before providing any information. Avoid providing personal information such as your SSN or bank account numbers to unknown persons over the phone or internet unless you are certain of who is receiving it.
How To Report?
If you receive a suspicious call from someone allegedly from SSA, you may report the call to the OIG:
· Phone: 1-800-269-0271
· Online: https://oig.ssa.gov/report
If you have questions about any communication – email, letter, text or phone call – that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security Office at 1-877-405-6747. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 845-340-3260.