Social Security Scam

Posted: April 23, 2019, 9:05AM

REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE - BE AWARE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM!

WV Attorney General Patrick Morrissey is warning consumers of yet another scam aimed at stealing our personal information. Con artists posing as Social Security Administration workers are contacting consumers claiming a compromised Social Security number or a frozen account (which affects the monthly check). Scammers "thrive upon consumers who react before they think. That's why it's so important for everyone to take a deep breath, hang up the phone, and report the call to authorities," according to AG Morrissey.

Follow AG Morrissey's advice: take a deep breath, hang up, and report the call to the authorities. Scammers may ask you to verify personal information to replace a Social Security card, correct an issue with an online account, process cost-of-living adjustments, and / or they may threaten legal action if consumers don't comply. They may tell you that the computers are down. Don't fall for this! JUST HANG UP! Scammers can spoof phone numbers which means that they can make a phone number appear legitimate but it isn't.

Read more about the Social Security Scams on AARP's website

If you get a call from a scammer, report it to the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General at 800 269-0271.