The U.S. Social Security Administration has issued a warning about a new e-mail scam aimed at senior citizens.
The agency has received several reports of an e-mail message being circulated with the subject “Cost-of-Living for 2007 update” and purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following “NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely.” The reader is then directed to a phony Web site
mimicking that of the Social Security Administration.
Once directed to the Web site, the individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as the individual’s social security number, bank account information and credit card information.
Patrick O’Carroll, the agency’s inspector general, recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information.
“You should never provide your social security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information,” O’Carroll said.
To report receipt of this e-mail message or other suspicious activity to Social Security’s Office of Inspector General, call 1 (800) 269-0271. Hearing impaired individuals may call the OIG TTY number at 1 (866) 501-2101. A public fraud reporting form is also available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig.
