It’s National Consumer Protection Week
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 10, 2016
Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Maybe you’re wondering about the best way to use credit, how to shop for a used car, or maximize your security online.
Part of our commitment to bringing you superior service includes always looking for ways to help protect your identity and information. And not just during National Consumer Protection Week — March 6-12, 2016 — but all year round. National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign that encourages you to take full advantage of your consumer rights and make informed decisions
It’s one of Social Security’s highest priorities to protect the privacy and security of the personal information we maintain on you and other Americans. You can rest assured that doing business with us online is both safe and secure.
Security is our middle name and we take it seriously!
The agency’s benefit programs are far-reaching and complex, which means that preventing, detecting, and combatting fraud, waste, and abuse are ongoing challenges. We can’t prevent every instance of fraud any more than law enforcement can prevent all crimes. However, we aggressively investigate potential instances of fraud and pursue prosecution of those who commit it. This is where we need your help the most. If you suspect fraud, report it online, or call the fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
On our website, we provide you valuable information about safeguarding against fraud, phishing scams, and protecting your identity. Visit today for more information. Also, visit www.ncpw.gov to learn how to get free consumer education materials and read the latest from consumer protection experts.
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About the Author
Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
Comments
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Marty B.
How do consumers protect themselves from the idiot government?
Grace
I just read an article on a tech blog about the privacy implications of social discovery apps for smartphones, such as Foursquare, Highlight, and Banjo. I recently deleted my Foursquare account because of this very issue. While I don’t check in on Facebook or post my whereabouts on Twitter, I still use location-based apps like Map My Fitness. I think it’s about time I started looking into identity theft protection services. Thank you for of the information.
Grace from https://www.thedebtconsolidationreviews.com
tony
The Veteran Administration and the big corporations only offers you a year of credit protection after they lose your personal information. Then you have to pay for it the rest of your life because they lost your personal information.
When you sign up for the free first year, they will harass you to renew with phone calls and junk mail. How trustworthy is this credit protection company? You would be giving them your personal information too. Then you might mysterious get your identification stolen because you didn’t renew and was not protected.
tony
The big corporations don’t pay you nothing when they lose your personal information. I had Avmed and they settled in court with paying members $10 for each years they had the insurance from the time they lost it. Members only got a maximum of $30 for the three years. I will never enroll with Avmed again.
A.
Honestly, I think that companies, banks and many others might write our SSN, account numbers, invoices, letters, statements etc… knowing very well that it’s very risky. Sensitive numbers should not appear everywhere! An urgent decision should ban all these behavior. We deserve the right to have our privacy protected.
tony
They should do away with social security number and go with a identification number. The same way they make use change our password on My Social Security Account, they should issue a new identification number each year. Using the old identification number would raise a red flag on the person and lock the person out of the system.
People don’t look at their statements or bother to report the fraud.
When you have credit cards, you can change it if it get stolen. You can’t change your social security number if it gets stolen. Having identification numbers will decrease the Medicare fraud and by changing the identification number for person, it can prevent future fraud.
Who knows how my different fraudsters were sold the same social security number and using it year after year.
Susan F.
I was nearly scammed in a computer-related situation and they are still calling me about my computer. I told them the last time they called to GO TO HELL and STOP CALLING! I am on the DO NOT CALL LIST but that doesn’t stop them.
Ro P.
How can the government take fraud so seriously when they make it so easy to do. Medicare cards have your ss number and you have to show them in every medical office you go to. I read that Medicare plans to stop using ss numbers by 2020, come on, in this day and age of modern tecnology they can’t do this sooner! Shame on them.
Joe V.
Most health plans have had to use a “unique identifier” number to replace SS#s in claim processing for several years. Why hasn’t Medicare adopted the “unique identifier” as all other Plans have been required to do?
R.F.
Thank you for your comment Ro. Under current law, Medicare providers need to know your Social Security number in order to provide you the benefits to which you are entitled. Generally, they only have to see and verify your Medicare card at the time they provide initial medical services. The Medicare program, including Medicare cards, is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Here are some suggestions to keep your personal information safe while using your Medicare card.
E.Merrill
I regret that I’m still being penalized for not having drug coverage over 10 years ago and I paid for my own drugs during that time. Now that I’m widowed, on this limited income I could use that money that is being taken from my SSA check.
John O.
You pay an extra premium because you failed to pay premiums when you first became entitled to Medicare. There might be an exception, such as being covered by an employer or your husbands employer so I’d check with SSA and see if an exception to paying an extra premium might apply to you.
Howard W.
If you wanted to help with personal security, you would not include the SSN on my Medicare card.
John O.
Then there’d be no way to process your Medicare claims without your SSN. Protect your Medicare and SS card as you would any credit card and shred any mail containing either your SSN or CC account #.
River
Your answer was just what I neeedd. It’s made my day!
R.F.
We understand your concern Howard. Under current law, Medicare providers need to know your Social Security number in order to provide you the benefits to which you are entitled. Generally, they only have to see and verify your Medicare card at the time they provide initial medical services. The Medicare program, including Medicare cards, is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Here are some suggestions to keep your personal information safe while using your Medicare card.
robert a.
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