Scammers are calling people and offering to help them with applications for disability benefits and claims, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The scammers ask for bank account, credit card, or Social Security information, and if they are successful in obtaining it, they could steal victims’ money, benefits, and identity.
The following advice could help protect you from this scam:
- Never give your bank account, credit card, or Social Security information to anyone who calls you.
- Never send money or make a credit or debit card payment to anyone who calls you.
- If you already have disability benefits, regularly review your statements to ensure that they are correct.
If a stranger offers to help you with an application for disability benefits or you discover incorrect information on your disability statements, report it to the FTC or the SSA Fraud Hotline at https://oig.ssa.gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse/fraud-waste-and-abuse.
This article was based on information provided by the FTC and SSA.