Unfortunately, the risk of scammers is all around us, and scammers try to prey on innocent people to obtain money. They are especially known for capitalizing on peoples’ fear, convincing people that they owe back taxes or that they owe the government money. Some scammers even threaten that there’s a government worker on the way to their house to arrest them if they don’t pay. Our Chicago disability lawyers want to help you catch scammers so you don’t fall victim to their games.
A New Scam
Recently, scammers have been operating a new scam; a Social Security robocall that states that your Social Security number and benefits will be suspended. In the case that you receive a phone call like this, we know it’s easy to panic and become flustered, but take a deep breath and remember that this is not real! The robocall will likely direct you to press a number on your phone, however, simply hanging up is the best route.
In reality:
- The Social Security Administration will never call you to threaten your benefits.
- Your Social Security number is not going to be suspended in any way.
- You are never required to wire money, send cash or buy a gift card.
- The Social Security Administration would not ask for your personal information, especially over the phone.
In the first 6 months of 2019 alone, there were 73,000 reports of Social Security imposters alone, resulting in over $17 million in losses.
When In Doubt, Trust Your Gut
Scams are increasingly sneaky and may sound like they could be legitimate, but it’s important to know that the SSA will never ask for your information in such a way. Our Chicago disability lawyers are happy to help you determine if a potential scam is real or fake. Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.
