#Privacy guard scams full

The information provided to you is vague. If the Social Security Administration calls you, it's usually in relation to a specific claim already in process. These are not hallmarks of a recording that might come from the Social Security Administration even if the agency did make robocalls. You answer the phone and the recording you hear is best described as 'sketchy.' The recording quality is extremely poor, there are odd sounds in the background, or the speaker is using broken English. Here are some ways to recognize that you're being targeted with a Social Security impostor scam. Your best defense against these types of scams is being able to recognize them. How Can You Recognize These Types of Scams? Alternatively, they sell this information on the internet to others who will do these things. They then use this information to run up credit in your name, hack into your accounts, or register for benefits in your name.

#Privacy guard scams full

These scammers try to get you to give them information such as your full name, Social Security number, address, or any other data that can be used to steal your identity. They use various excuses, such as computers being down, to elicit information from you that the real Social Security office would have on hand. People contact you about an issue with your Social Security number or another serious-sounding issue. These types of scams also use fear and uncertainty. They want something that's perhaps even more valuable: your identity. In other cases, scammers aren't out to get your money directly. The threats are vague, dramatic and urgent in nature, causing people to want to act. Other times, the scammers threaten seizure of your assets by the IRS or Social Security Administration. Marshal or sheriff's officer will arrive at your home shortly to arrest you. Why do people fall for this scam? Because the communication is worded in a way to send your heart and mind racing. The only way you can 'clear your number' or your name of this trouble is by making some type of payment to the scammer. The communication implies that your Social Security number is in some kind of trouble. The person or phone recording says that you are being contacted by the Social Security Administration. This scam relies primarily on creating fear in a person with well-chosen words and threats. So, how do they work? There are several types of Social Security scams. The scams haven't stopped since then, and if you haven't experienced one of these fraudulent communications, you most likely will. This was according to a report published in April 2019. The Federal Trade Commission says 76,000 people complained about the scam in just one year-and almost half of those complaints came in February and March 2019. What Are Social Security Impostor Scams?īefore understanding exactly what these scams are, it's important to understand the scope of this problem. Then, get some quick tips for staving off identity fraud and other scams with some practical measures.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security scams account for $19 million in losses between April 2018 and March 2019 alone.įind out more about these scams and how you can recognize them. As the tidal wave of income related to IRS scams started to dry up, criminals instead turned to Social Security scams. Scammers are nothing if they aren't innovative, though. They didn't go away completely, but the amount lost every year to tax-related scams was reduced. Enough information had been circulated - by the IRS, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, other government agencies and even people on social media - that Americans were less likely to fall for these scams. Between October 2015 and September 2016, scams that played on people's fears of the tax man reached their peak, and around $17 million was reported lost during that time period related to those scams.įollowing that wave, the IRS scam began to lose traction.