YCSO WARNS CITIZENS OF ANOTHER NEW SCAM - FAKE SOCIAL SECURITY NOTICE

Published on June 19, 2024

YCSO is warning everyone about the latest in the long line of frauds and scams being perpetrated on residents, especially senior citizens. This one involves a phony notice from the United States Social Security Administration that your SS number will be suspended. DO NOT FALL FOR IT.

The scam is done by e-mail and appears to have a legitimate Social Security letterhead. It will also include a Case ID (which is phony). The headline will be "SUBJECT: Suspension of SSN due to criminal activities". The body of the e-mail will indicate your SS card and number will be suspended within 24 hours because the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has discovered unlawful activities in Texas which involved your personal identity. It outlines the charges (which are false) and claims that 25 bank accounts were opened under your identity and are being used in a $14 million fraud scheme (again, it's all phony). 

The key:  at the bottom of the e-mail correspondence, it says you can appeal by contacting the "Office of Inspector General SSA"...and it allows you to click on that link. DO NOT CLICK ON IT, IT IS A SCAM! There is also an 888 number you can call. DO NOT CALL THAT NUMBER. It is not the real Social Security Administration phone number, but a phony one that will be answered by a scammer. 

If you receive such an e-mail, please contact the YCSO Fraud Unit at (928)771-3299 right away. Once again, do not click on any links in the e-mail, and do not call the 888 number in the e-mail. And always be cautious, slow down, take your time, don't click on links in e mails or text messages, and never give out your personal or financial information to people you do not know. YCSO has seen many tragic cases of people losing many thousands of dollars in these types of scams. Please, do not be a victim. Stay informed.