Category Archives: Privacy & Identity

Social Security Launches New Campaign to Fight Scammers

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" "Recently, we launched a new Public Service Announcement campaign as our latest step to caution you about the ongoing nationwide telephone impersonation scheme. The videos feature a message from our Commissioner, Andrew Saul. Along with our Office of the Inspector General, we continue to receive reports about fraudulent phone calls and emails from people falsely claiming they’re government employees. The scammers play on emotions like fear to convince people to provide personal information or money in cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. Fraudsters are also emailing fake documents in attempts to get people to comply with their demands. Continue reading →

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How You Can Help Social Security Protect Others

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" "Scams have become an unfortunate part of doing business online or via phone. Many people have received a call or voicemail from someone warning them that their Social Security number or benefits are suspended due to suspicious activity. It’s an alarming scam and one we must help people identify so that they do not become the next victim.

We, at Social Security, are serious about protecting the information entrusted to us. In the past year, we’ve posted a series of blogs about how our beneficiaries can protect their information from scammers and what to do when they receive a call from someone pretending to be us. Continue reading →

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National Data Privacy Day

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" "Far too often, the news alerts consumers about potential data breaches and concerns over the privacy of their personal data. In 2018, several major breaches affected millions. Questions and concerns about data and privacy are on the rise.

To highlight the importance of data privacy, Congress decreed January 28 as National Data Privacy Day. This day is an annual observance dedicated to increasing awareness about data privacy, the importance of individual privacy rights, and the need to protect personally identifiable information (PII) from improper use and disclosure. Continue reading →

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National Consumer Protection Week

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man and woman sitting on couch looking at laptop Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? This week, March 4-10, is National Consumer Protection Week, when we join the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help consumers understand their rights and make well-informed decisions about money. Continue reading →

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Is that Phone Call From Us?

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woman talking on the phone It’s the morning of a busy day at home and you get a call from an unknown number. You answer only to find yourself on the receiving end of a threatening message saying your Social Security benefits will stop immediately unless you provide your personal information. It happens every day to thousands of Americans.  And it’s not Social Security calling. Continue reading →

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Don’t Become the Catch of the Day

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hook holing a tag Verifying and protecting your identity is of great importance to us at Social Security. We dedicated an entire section of our website to explaining how we process your information online and verify Social Security numbers. We include helpful tips you should be aware of on avoiding identity theft schemes and ways to make your online presence more secure!  Continue reading →

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Inspector General Warns Public About SSA Employee Impersonation Scheme

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woman looking at cell phone The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about a new Social Security Administration (SSA) employee impersonation scheme.  SSA and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have recently alerted citizens about an OIG employee impersonation scheme and a scheme targeting former clients of Kentucky disability attorney Eric Conn; the agencies are now receiving reports from citizens across the country about other phone calls from an individual posing as an SSA employee.  The caller attempts to acquire personally identifiable information from victims to then edit the victims’ direct deposit, address, and telephone information with SSA. Continue reading →

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Protecting Your identity is Important to Us

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domestic-violence

Social Security is committed to protecting your identity and information. We often say that our online services are convenient, cost-effective, and secure to use.

We know that in certain instances, like for victims of domestic violence, completely blocking access to your information may be necessary. If you are a victim of domestic violence, Social Security may be able to block access to the electronic record we keep on you. Our online Block Electronic Access service is a resource for those who need extra security. It’s also available to certain victims of identity theft. Continue reading →

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