People pretending to be Social Security employees are calling from California area code 323 and asking seniors for their names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and parents’ names. These scammers claim they will be sending the seniors Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.
When the ruse works, the victim’s Social Security direct deposits are going directly into the bank accounts of the fraudsters, warned Sen. Susan Collins of the Senate Aging Committee on Thursday.
“This scam can cause immense harm to seniors,” said the Maine Republican. “No one should give any personal information to unknown callers.”
She advised seniors who get these and other unsolicited calls about their Social Security benefits to immediately hang up and call the Social Security Office of the Inspector General (800-269-0271) or the Senate Aging Committee’s fraud hotline (855-303-9470).