Phone scams are similar

easy, and they allow thieves to get to the largest number of victims possible. Unscrupulous scammers That is why the IRS calls have branched out continue; the Medicare from pretending to represent number change spawned a the IRS or Microsoft. whole new class of vulnerable A recent article in Forbes consumers. speaks of a message from Although the IRS has the Social Security Administration repeatedly stated that (SSA) about they will never contact phone scams from thieves taxpayers by telephone, pretending to be from SSA. SSA employees do occasionally This scam is similar to the reach out by telephone IRS phone scams that have for customer service been so prevalent. The author, purposes. Stallworth Kelly Phillips Erb, refers Stone warns people to be to a warning from the cautious and to avoid giving Acting Inspector General of any personal information, Social Security, Gale Stallworth such as SSN or bank Stone, about an ongoing account numbers over the phone scam. (https:// phone or internet, unless www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2018/07/20/ you are certain of who is receiving it. Be aware of social-security-issueswarning-about-scams-similar-to-those-irs-phonescams/#4ad1e63f4d7a). suspicious calls from unknown sources. If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to

Scammers try to convince be from SSA, report that Social Security beneficiaries information to Office of to give up personal the Inspector General information over the phone. (OIG) at 1-800-269-0271. One robocall version gives a In the article, Erb shares warning that the beneficiary’s some tips from the FCC in social security number dealing with robocalls. If has been suspended for suspicion the caller or recording asks of illegal activity. The you to press a button to message is, if you don’t call stop getting the calls, just back, your assets or benefits hang up. Scammers use will be frozen until the issue this trick to identify potential is resolved. In another targets. Do not respond case, someone claiming to to any questions, especially be from SSA asks to confirm to those that could be answered personal information such with “yes.” Your as a social security number phone company may have (SSN), the “new” Medicare call blocking tools available number, address and date to you, and apps can be of birth. According to Stallworth downloaded to your mobile Stone, robocalls from device to block unwanted scammers pretending to be calls. If you already use from government agencies robo-blocking technology, continue to be problematic it can help to let that company because they are cheap and know which numbers are producing unwanted calls so that they can help you and others block those calls. Register your number on the “Do Not Call” list to block telemarketing calls.

The IRS says that phone scams are still “a major threat to taxpayers.” The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported that they have become aware of over 12,716 victims who have collectively paid over $63 million as a result of phone scams since October 2013. Remember that the IRS will never contact anyone by telephone.

The author of the article states “when in doubt, assume it is a scam.” If you doubt that a call is legitimate, hang up and call back using an official number. Don’t use the caller ID number on the phone, as those can be spoofed. To reach the IRS, call 1-800829-1040. To contact Social Security, call 1-800772-1213. Don’t engage with scammers or thieves; just hang up.

The legal advice in this column is general in nature. Consult your attorney for advice on your individual situation. Attorney Kathleen Martin is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. She is associated with the law firm of O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C., 41 High St., Pottstown, and 347 Bridge St., Phoenixville.

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