Wednesday, 22 November 2006

E-Mail Scam on the Loose, Warns Social Security Agency

Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security of the United States, and Patrick O’Carroll, Jr., Inspector General of Social Security, have issued a warning about a new e-mail scam that has surfaced. The Agency has received several reports of an e-mail message being circulated with the subject 'Cost-of-Living for 2007 update' and purporting to be from the Social Security Administration. The message provides information about the 3.3 per cent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following "NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely." The reader is then directed to a web site designed to look like Social Security’s Internet web site.

"I am outraged that someone would target an unsuspecting public in this manner," said Commissioner Barnhart. "I have asked the Inspector General to use all the resources at his command to find and prosecute whoever is perpetrating this fraud."

Once directed to the phony web site, the individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as the individual’s Social Security number, bank account information and credit card information.

Inspector General O’Carroll recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information. "You should never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information", O’Carroll said.