Scammers are constantly finding new ways to deceive people and steal their personal information or money. One recent scam involves fraudsters posing as Social Security Administration (SSA) employees through fake Amazon or PayPal tech support emails. These scammers target individuals usually of Social Security retirement age, gaining their trust over time by pretending to resolve SSA-related issues. In some cases, victims have been convinced to turn over valuable possessions for “safekeeping” to these scammers.
One such victim, Lori English, fell victim to this scam and lost $500,000 in retirement savings after being led to believe her Social Security Number was linked to criminal activity. The scammers were persistent and convincing, causing English to panic and provide them with financial information.
The SSA warns recipients to be on the lookout for red flags and offers tips to avoid falling for scams like these, such as remaining calm, ignoring messages from unknown sources, and protecting personal and financial information. They also recommend reporting any suspicious activity to the Office of the Inspector General.
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their methods, making it essential for individuals to stay vigilant and informed to protect themselves from falling victim to such schemes. By spreading awareness and reporting scams, communities can work together to thwart these fraudulent activities.
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