Sanders cautions residents to beware of Social Security scam

Local residents need to be more cautious than ever before about giving out personal information over the telephone, according to Dennis Sanders, district attorney for the Toombs Judicial Circuit.

The scam in question targets those elderly and/or disabled individuals receiving Social Security benefits. Apparently, con artists have acquired names and Social Security numbers and are now calling up seniors in the area, convincing them to release their banking information.

Last week, an area man was telephoned by an individual, with an authoritative voice, who claimed to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), noted the district attorney. "The caller asked for the man's checking account number as well as for information about him and his wife under the guise that the administration was planning to give out new Social Security cards. The banking information was needed so the administration could deduct the cost of the card ($275) from the man's account.

"The threat was evident," Sanders continued. "If the man didn't cooperate and purchase a new card, his old one would not be good anymore and he wouldn't be able to claim Social Security benefits."

The district attorney urged citizens not to fall prey to this scam. "The Social Security Administration doesn't do business this way. Their employees will never call you up and ask you for your bank information. They will never, ever do that."

A spokesman from the SSA added, "People need to be cautious, especially with confidential information. Basically, this is information we should already have. We encourage people to hang up immediately when an unknown caller requests personal information."

He went on to point out that Social Security cards are issued free of charge.

In scams of this nature, the caller may state that "the Social Security Administration's computers are down" or he may refer to enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug program. Generally, he will ask for personal information such as one's Social Security number, date of birth, mother's maiden name, bank account information, and other financial information.

However, it is possible that a SSA employee could call to follow up on a previous application for benefits, an application for a subsidy for the Medicare Part D program, or to follow up on business the individual has initiated with the agency.

According to the SSA spokesman, "If you are unsure as to the authenticity of someone who claims to be an employee of the Social Security Administration, please call our tollfree number (1-800-772-1213) to verify the reason for the contact and the person's identity."

In the event that the call is fraudulent, individuals are asked to call the SSA's fraud hotline at 1-800-2690271, law enforcement officials, and the district attorney at 1-706-5957175. The following details would be helpful: (1) the caller's alleged name.

(2) the caller's telephone number.

(3) the time and date the call was made.

(4) the information requested by the caller.

(5) any other identifying information or details about the content of the call.

Likewise, any individual who has already fallen prey to the scam should report the crime to the SSA, local law enforcement officials, and the district attorney's office. They also need to contact their bank.

In related comments, the district attorney stated that the latest threat of theft is identification fraud, which is taking the place of burglaries. "It is a challenge to curtail crimes of this type. The person making the call may not even be in the state.

"Once you give out this information, it may take years to clean up the mess and could spell disaster, especially for senior citizens. These thieves can ruin your credit and in essence, take everything you've acquired in life. The easiest thing is prevention.

"Do not give out any personal information - bank account numbers, date of birth, credit card numbers - unless you are convinced beyond all doubt that the call is legitimate," said Sanders. "Still, the best advice is to never give out personal information over the telephone. The safest way to conduct business is face to face."