The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has issued this alert in response to increased reports of impersonation scams involving in-person cash hand-offs.
SSA OIG is receiving alarming reports that criminals are impersonating SSA OIG agents and are requesting that their targets meet them in person to hand off cash. SSA OIG agents will never pick up money at your door or in any type of exchange. This is a SCAM!
NEVER exchange money or funds of any kind with any individual stating that they are an SSA OIG agent. This new scam trend introduces an element of physical danger to scams that never existed before. This recent method of handing cash directly to a phony agent is a dangerous twist on a known scam tactic that pressures individuals to pay in a specific way by using cash or gift cards. SSA OIG and official government agencies do NOT conduct business in this manner.
“This is the latest example of how scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to intimidate or pressure people into making hasty decisions that usually involve stealing their target’s hard-earned money,” said Inspector General
Gail S. Ennis. “While our agents are out in the field, they will not ask you for money. I urge you not to respond to these kinds of requests.”
What to do if You Have Been Scammed
-Stop talking to the scammer!
-Notify financial institutions where you have accounts and safeguard those accounts from unauthorized transactions.
-Contact your local county adult protective services office. Find a list here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps/ear-agencies.htm
-Call your local non-emergency police number and file a report.
-File a complaint with the FBI: Internet Crime Complaint Center.
-Report Social Security-related scams to SSA OIG.
-Report other scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
-Keep financial transaction information and records of all communications you have had with the scammer.
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