What You Need to Know About Social Security Fraud
On the news, we see lots of stories about rampant Social Security fraud. While there are certainly cases of people claiming benefits on behalf of someone who has died, that type of fraud is not the most prevalent. According to an article by The Motley Fool in USA Today, the bigger concern is scammers who impersonate government employees to trick unsuspecting seniors into divulging personal information and, in some cases, access to the benefits.
These fraudsters will often contact you by phone, mail, or email and claim there’s a problem with your benefits. Another common tactic is to say they need you to verify some information in order to ensure you continue to receive payments. This is not how the Social Security Administration (SSA) operates, so be suspicious if you receive any of these notices. Avoid using any phone numbers, email addresses, or weblinks provided. Rather, the article says you should reach out to your local Social Security office or visit the SSA’s website to verify the information.
If you suspect you are a victim of a Social Security scam, you can report fraud online to the Office of the Inspector General.
The Seniors Trust is committed to helping protect Social Security, and that includes providing important information to seniors on how to prevent fraud. We also want to see Congress enact the Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increased minimum benefits, and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.
