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IRS and Social Security Phone Scams

Jul 20, 2021SML Planning Minute Podcast, Company News, Social Security Planning

Episode 135 – We urge you to always be cautious and not provide sensitive information such as your Social Security number or bank account information to unknown individuals over the phone or internet. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you.

Transcript of Podcast Episode 135

Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi with another edition of Security Mutual’s “SML Planning Minute.”  In today’s episode, we take a look back at one of our favorite previous programs:  Be very suspicious when getting calls claiming to be from the IRS or Social Security Administration.

We urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your Social Security Number or bank account information to unknown individuals over the phone or internet. If you receive a call and aren’t expecting one, you must be extra careful. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you.

There are numerous scams going around right now, and some are sophisticated. You might receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security or another agency. Calls can even display the Social Security’s national customer service number, which is 800-772-1213, as the incoming number on your caller ID. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security Number, on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. In fact I myself have received this call on my answering machine, claiming that my Social Security number has been compromised. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. It is most likely these calls are not from Social Security.

Callers sometimes state that your Social Security number is at risk of being deactivated or deleted. The caller then asks you to provide a phone number to resolve the issue. People should be aware the scheme’s details may vary; however, you should avoid engaging with the caller or calling the number provided, as the caller might attempt to acquire personal information.

Social Security employees do occasionally contact people by telephone for customer service purposes. In only a few special situations, such as when you have business pending with the Social Security Administration, a Social Security employee may request you to confirm personal information over the phone.

IRS and Social Security employees will never threaten you or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271.

Remember, only call official phone numbers and use secured websites of the agencies and businesses you know are correct. Helping protect your information is an important part of Security Mutual’s mission.

The information contained in this podcast is for general information purposes only and is not approved, endorsed or authorized by the Social Security Administration or the IRS. Security Mutual makes no representations, or warranties of any kind regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the information provided in this podcast.

 Contact your local Security Mutual Insurance Advisor today to help coordinate your financial plans and achieve your goals and objectives.  For more information, visit us at smlny.com/smlpodcast. 

 If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, tell your friends about it, and be sure to give us a five star review.  And check us out on LinkedIn, You Tube and Twitter.  Thanks for listening, and we’ll talk to you next time.

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