Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Have you opened your “my Social Security” account yet? If not, you should!
Scammers are now going to the Social Security Administration website and setting up “my Social Security” accounts of workers that are of retirement age in an attempt to steal their retirement benefits. People age 62 and older are most at risk.
Scammers obtain personal information, including Social Security numbers, and head to the Social Security website to open a “my Social Security” account in victims’ names.
They apply for funds, requesting a lump sum payout for any amount due to the victim, and direct the automatic deposit to their own bank account. The scammer then withdraws the stolen funds and closes out the bank account.
Only one “my Social Security” account is permitted for each Social Security number, so sign up now to prevent being scammed. While it’s important to set up your account before a scammer can, it’s also a useful resource. Through it, you can view your estimated benefits, review your earnings record and order replacement documents.
If you haven’t already, set up your own “my Social Security” account at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
For information about other scams, sign up for the Fraud Watch Network at http://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. You’ll receive free email alerts with tips and resources to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud.
