WV AG alerts consumers to Social Security scam
West Virginia
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey urged consumers to beware of the ever-present
Social Security scam and not give in to intimidation tactics used by scammers.
This prevalent scam often involves unsolicited calls from someone who claims to
be with the Social Security Administration. The impostor tells the consumer
their account has been frozen or compromised and will sometimes threaten
arrest.
Morrisey said if a consumer gets one of these calls, they should hang up and
report the call the local authorities and to the AG’s office. He urges
consumers not to give in to intimidation tactics and never give out your Social
Security number.
Impostors may also ask consumers to verify personal information, including
their Social Security number, to replace a Social Security card, fix an issue
with their online account, process a cost-of-living adjustment or rectify
benefits that have been underpaid and need adjustment.
Scammers may even “spoof” local numbers to hide the number they are calling
from in hopes the consumer will pick up. The impostors will sometimes threaten
legal action against consumers who do not comply.
In recent weeks, scammers claiming to represent the Federal Reserve have also
called consumers in attempts to steal Social Security information – the Social
Security scam is particularly active across West Virginia at present.
One consumer lost $2,500 to this scam because she felt so pressured by the
scammer. Several other West Virginia consumers recently reported having given
out their Social Security numbers.
Consumers should always verify any information by calling the Social Security
Administration’s legitimate telephone number and never make payments using wire
transfer, gift cards or cash. Most government agencies and reputable companies
will not seek personal information via an unsolicited phone call or email.
Anyone receiving
such a call should report the information to the Social Security Administration’s
Office of the Inspector General. Its fraud hotline can be reached by phone at
1-800-269-0271 or online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Anyone with questions or who believes they may have been a victim of a scam
should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at
1-800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg
at 304-267-0239. You may also visit the
office online at www.wvago.gov.