(Dodge County) The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dodge County is warning about potential social security scams. Some Dodge County residents have received “scam texts” from other individuals pretending to represent social security offices to acquire sensitive bank information or money. Amanda Higgins, the Elder Benefit Specialist and SHIP counselor with ADRC, provided a list of things that social security offices will not do when contacting you.
“They will never threaten you with arrest or other legal action to immediately pay a fine or a fee” she said. “They will not promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment. They will not require payment by retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or mailing in cash, and they will never send letters or report your personal information through email.”
Some individuals will in fact receive valid text messages from social security offices if they opt in to do so. However, opting into those real text messages does not make them immune to other potential threats. When unsure about potential fraud regarding your social security, the first step should be to reach out to your local field office instead of responding right away.
Individuals that are not working with social security should still be extra aware of these threats as well, no one is safe from them. This level of fraud is not just limited to texts, but it can happen in the form of phone calls as well. If you receive a potential scam call, it will sound like a “call center” with people talking in the background.
That is a good giveaway for scam calls in general. Along with reaching out to the actual offices, the ADRC is a good resource as well for help and more information. They can be contacted at 920-386-3580, or by clicking the link HERE.
