Recognizing A Scam

Here are a few tips on  how to avoid getting scammed and stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information. Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Recognize the four basic signs of a scam:

1. Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration (SSA). They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.
2. Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase.
3. Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.
4. Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

Ignore scammers and report criminal behavior. Report Social Security-related scams to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Visit the Federal Trade Commission or Social Security Administration for more information, and follow SSA OIG on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest scam tactics.

Follow Highspire Borough Police Department on facebook and X.