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ed11563


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New Social Security Scam
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AARP Fraud Watch
FTC Detects New Social Security Scam

Dear Ed,

You look in your email inbox and see the subject line “Get Protected.” Well, we all want that! Upon opening the email, you learn that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is supposedly offering great new features to help taxpayers protect their personal information and identities. Sounds so good that you may be tempted to click on the link provided -- but before you do, read this!

It’s a SCAM! The Federal Trade Commission recently caught on to this scam and is asking for help in tracking down the fraudsters.

How It Works:

  • Scammers pretending to be from the SSA send out the email offering new features to help consumers monitor their credit and learn whether someone is engaging in unauthorized use of their Social Security number.
  • It sounds very official and may even mention the “SAFE Act of 2015.”

What You Should Know:

  • The Social Security Administration is not offering such a program. It’s actually a “phishing” email designed to get you to click on the link. Doing could cause “malware” to be installed on your computer, like viruses and spyware.
  • The link might also take you to a “spoof” site designed to look like the SSA’s website and ask you to provide personal information, like your Social Security number and bank or credit account numbers.

What You Should Do:

  • If you get a questionable email, DO NOT click on any links. Instead, report it to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding it to spam@uce.gov. 
  • Unsure about whether it’s for real? Here are a couple clues: “hover” your cursor over the address link in the email if it’s fake, you’ll see that the address is an unrelated .com address, not the .gov address it appears to be. And did it end up in your junk folder? If so, that’s because your email filters recognized that it wasn’t for real.
  • If you’re unsure if an email is coming from the government, call them yourself. But use an email address you find yourself, not the contact info listed in the email.

Please share this alert with your friends and family and urge them to do the same!  Together we can stop scammers in their tracks and keep your hard earned dollars in your pocket where they belong!  

Sincerely,

Kristin Keckeisen
Fraud Watch Network


P.S. Spotted a scam?  Tell us about it.  Our scam-tracking map gives you information about the latest scams targeting people in your state.  You’ll also find first-hand accounts from scam-spotters who are sharing their experiences so you know how to protect yourself and your family.



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Lawyerlady


On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

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The government does not alert you to ANYTHING via email. You will get a letter in the mail.

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lilyofcourse


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Or by phone.



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Fort Worth Mom


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lilyofcourse wrote:

Or by phone.

No Lily. Not by phone.

There is a big IRS phone scam right now. (I've never picked up the phone and talked to them, but I've gotten the threatening message on my voice mail.)

DO NOT give any information over the phone.

The IRS will not call you.

They will mail you a letter. 



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Fort Worth Mom wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:

Or by phone.

No Lily. Not by phone.

There is a big IRS phone scam right now. (I've never picked up the phone and talked to them, but I've gotten the threatening message on my voice mail.)

DO NOT give any information over the phone.

The IRS will not call you.

They will mail you a letter. 

 Well, they will send 3 letters and then they will call. BUT if you don't provide your phone number on your tax return.



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huskerbb


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Oh, you mean BESIDES the scam by which I give up 7.5% of my income to fund a ridiculous system from which I will get paid back a tiny fraction of what I would get were into invest that money at even a nominal rate of return.

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Lawyerlady


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huskerbb wrote:

Oh, you mean BESIDES the scam by which I give up 7.5% of my income to fund a ridiculous system from which I will get paid back a tiny fraction of what I would get were into invest that money at even a nominal rate of return.

15% is you are self-employed or count the money your employer also contributes. 



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LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 
huskerbb


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Lawyerlady wrote:
huskerbb wrote:

Oh, you mean BESIDES the scam by which I give up 7.5% of my income to fund a ridiculous system from which I will get paid back a tiny fraction of what I would get were into invest that money at even a nominal rate of return.

15% is you are self-employed or count the money your employer also contributes. 

 Yeah, makes it even worse.

 

 



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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
ed11563


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There's a sucker born every minute.



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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.

Always misinterpret when you can.
lilyofcourse


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

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Posts: 38325
Date:
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Fort Worth Mom wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:

Or by phone.

No Lily. Not by phone.

There is a big IRS phone scam right now. (I've never picked up the phone and talked to them, but I've gotten the threatening message on my voice mail.)

DO NOT give any information over the phone.

The IRS will not call you.

They will mail you a letter. 

 That's what I said.

 



__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.

Charley Harper
Fort Worth Mom


Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

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Posts: 13089
Date:
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lilyofcourse wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:

Or by phone.

No Lily. Not by phone.

There is a big IRS phone scam right now. (I've never picked up the phone and talked to them, but I've gotten the threatening message on my voice mail.)

DO NOT give any information over the phone.

The IRS will not call you.

They will mail you a letter. 

 That's what I said.

 

Sorry, I misunderstood.

I was on my first cup of coffee.wink 



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