COVID19 SCAM: YOUR BENEFIT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED

Social Security recipients across the country have reported getting fraudulent letters in the US Mail, threatening to suspend their benefits unless they paid a fee by retail gift card, internet cash, wire transfer, or other means.  These recent scams are believed to be triggered by con artists trying to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) says that they are not sending letters to anyone asking for updated information, and they certainly are not asking anyone to make a payment to keep their benefits coming.  These are always scams.  

The Inspector General issued a statement which says:

The Social Security Administration will never:

• threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee;
• promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment;
• require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card;
• demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem; or
• send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

If you receive a letter or call from someone pretending to be from Social Security, asking you to make a payment or to provide personally identifiable information, please do not respond.  Under no circumstances should you send payment of any type.  Social Security is NOT suspending benefit checks because of the coronovirus breakout.  Social Security checks are being sent without disruption.

Do not provide your name, Social Security number, address, bank account information, credit card number or any other personal information to someone you don't know, even if they say they work for the government.  In every case, this is a criminal scam by con artists trying to steal your information and your money.k

Remember, you can still call Social Security during regular business hours if you need to check on the reliability of any communication from them.