In an aim to at least warn the people, since the agency itself cannot completely eliminate such kind of fraud, a Los Angeles long term disability lawyer revealed three of the most big social security scams in the country:
Scenario 1:
“We are updating our records.”
Somebody posing as a Social Security Administration employee will call, e-mail or mail you asking for your personal information, such as Social Security number, birth date, mother’s maiden name, bank account number for the purpose updating your records.
Reality:
Once you give the caller or the letter sender your personal details, you just gave them a go signal to steal your identity as well as your money. Keep in mind that legitimate SSA representatives will not contact you by e-mail, but may respond to you either through phone or letter if you’ve applied for benefits. Before providing any information, make sure that you call Social Security yourself to verify that the contact is genuine.
Scenario 2:
“We will give you a bigger check.”
Someone will offer to help you snag additional or higher benefits for a “filing fee” or “service charge.” This might sound enticing, but on a second thought, it might also be too good to be true.
Reality:
The SSA does not charge filing fees. Moreover, if you feel like you are entitled to a higher benefit, you can file an appeal all by yourself at no cost. If everything turns complicated, you can hire someone to help you, but be sure that that someone is truly trust worthy.
Scenario 3:
“You’ve got a special tax refund coming.”
Someone will say by filing a new income tax return, you can get a lump sum of nearly $3,000.00 as compensation for your lack of Social Security COLA increases in the previous years.
Reality:
Aside from being charged with $30 or more to file new tax reforms, and you’ll get no refund. You have also freely given away your personal data, meaning, you just handed them you identity and money.
So there it goes. The lawyer herein hopes that you learn from these scenarios. Thereby, the next time someone will approach you and tell you the above-said magic words, you are already aware how to deal with it.
