fraud
Caller ID Says Social Security…But is it Real?
The criminals these days are expanding their criteria these days, using clever tricks to con unsuspecting folks and draw them into their web. As explained in this Washington Times post by reporter Stephen Dinan, the crooks have honed their technique…
Pitfalls and Trapdoors, and How They Can Derail Retirement plans
Although there’s been a slight dip in reported cases, the Federal Trade Commission still reports that 2017 produced 2.68 million fraud, identity theft, and similar reports. With over 40% of these being outright fraud situations, it’s not surprising that the…
Synthetic Identity Fraud and Social Security Numbers–Yet Another Battle to be Fought
It sounds like a strange title for a vulnerability–“synthetic identity fraud”–but it’s not really that far-fetched. In simple terms the concept is used to describe situations where a “genuine social security number is used alongside a false name and date of…
Submitting Fraud Allegations to the OIG
(Source: Social Security Administration) The SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has determined that, due to a computer error, it did not receive any fraud allegations submitted through its online fraud-reporting form from 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 10 to 9:30…
Don’t fall for Social Security scams
It seems there is no end to the number and kind of fraud attempts that criminals will use to try to get at your money, and targeting seniors seems to be a very popular type of scam these days. Those…
“Suspended Social Security Number” Scam Alert
It sounds much like the process used by credit card companies when you account is determined to be involved in a fraud situation…your account is suspended and you need to contact them for resolution. That’s good for credit cards, but…
Well, Here’s Another New Scam Hitting the Airwaves
It’s an alert to Kentuckians, but it’s likely to spread (and probably already has!) across the country, and it once again involves your Social Security number. In this version of a scam, impostors posing as “Federal Social Security Agents” will…
“American Greed” to feature the saga of “Mr. Social Security”
For those having an interest in understanding how a major Social Security fraud is created, tune in to CNBC’s long-running true-crime show, “American Greed” on Monday April 2 at 10:00 pm. The documentary will lay out the development of the largest…
New Medicare Cards, New Security…and New Scams
Roll-out of the new Medicare Identification Cards–the ones without Social Security Numbers–begins in April and will continue throughout the coming year. As you are most likely aware, the format changes were mandated by the passing of the Medicare Access and…
Another Tax Scam Alert Involving Social Security Numbers
In a post on abc7chicago.com, the Consumer Reports editorial staff offers another alert, in a continuing series of alerts, on the importance of filing federal income tax returns as quickly as possible. “Getting a refund quickly is not the only upside…