Millions of Americans are on Social Security benefits. That is why they are a target for hundreds of scammers and identity thieves. In fact, many of them receive emails, text messages, and phone calls every day.
In this way, scammers try to gather all the necessary information to steal their identity. Imagine your Social Security check worth $1,909 on average is gone overnight.
Tip number one is to leave at home your Social Security card. Do not take with you your Social Security number and keep it in a secret place. Having your purse or wallet stolen is a possibility.
DO NOT GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION TO UNKNOWN CALLERS
On many occasions, Social Security beneficiaries receive calls from people they do not know at all. If they ask for personal personal information, do not give it to them.
Sometimes they threaten you to make you feel bad or worried. By doing so, they want you to panic. Once you are afraid, you cannot think or reflect on what is going on because of fear, so you may end up giving them personal details.
Never use easy passwords or use the same for all your accounts. If they find out one, they may be able to access all your accounts. Tricky passwords will make it more difficult for them.
NEVER POST FINANCIAL INFORMATION ONLINE SAYS SOCIAL SECURITY
Unsolicited calls or text messages requesting financial information should be considered suspicious. Sometimes they hack your bank’s or financial institution’s website to send messages from their own system, so they are impossible to spot.
That is why you should not click on any links or visit any websites. If they call you, hang up and visit or call your bank. Use a paper shredder to delete all the Social Security Numbers, names and birthdates may appear on papers you throw away.
The last 5 tips are:
- Protect your phone number with a PIN.
- Check your bank account balance daily
- Use strong anti-virus software
- Delete accounts you no longer use on Social Media
- check the website you are using is secure (https)