(FinancialHealth.net) – The phone rings with a call from an unknown number who threatens to take your Social Security benefits or put you under arrest unless you can provide the personal information they request. It could be a terrifying prospect, if it really was the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The SSA does not call, send emails or text messages asking people for personal information. First of all, it’s a government entity, so you’re lucky if they call you back at your request in a timely manner at all, much less out of the blue asking for personal information. The Social Security Administration will never do any of the following:
- Call you for personal information or credit sources.
- Call you to return over-payments.
- Require you to make payments with prepaid cards.
- Ask you for payment without also allowing you to appeal a decision stating that you need to make a payment.
- Call you to make threats about being arrested or anything else.
If you have questions or concerns about the legitimacy of a phone call, email or text message, we strongly suggest you call your local Social Security office immediately or call Social Security’s nationwide toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213.
Be sure to use the SSA reporting system to report any fraudulent calls.
~Here’s To Your Financial Health
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