If you have a claim for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pending with the Social Security Administration, then you have likely received one or more calls from the SSA. Representatives within many branches of the SSA often reach out via telephone to get information concerning your claim and to ask you various types of questions. Unfortunately, declining to take these calls can negatively impact your case in many ways. Your claim could be delayed or even denied if the SSA cannot promptly get the information that they need from you.
Unfortunately, we live in an age when most of us receive scam calls on a daily basis. It is often difficult to determine whether a call is legitimate or not. This blog is intended to provide you some helpful tips in fielding these calls. Here are our tips:
1. Look at the caller ID. Unfortunately, with many SSA workers working from home, you may receive legitimate calls from numbers that do not reflect a business or government agency. However, if the caller ID shows a number that is not based in the USA, you are safe to assume that the call is fraudulent. If the number appears to be local, ask the agent to provide you proof of their identity.
2. The SSA will never ask for your personal information. Never, ever give any personal, identifying information to the person calling you. Remember that if the call is legitimate, they will have all of this information! Personal identification includes your social security number, date of birth, mailing address, etc. If you have filed a claim, the SSA has this information and will not ask for it over the phone. Make sure you feel comfortable that they are who they say they are.
3. The SSA will never threaten you. No one from the SSA will ever call and threaten any form of action against you. If the caller is threatening you about a debt or related issue, the call is a fraud. The SSA will send you letters that include your social security number if there is an issue such as an overpayment or debt. They will not call.
4. The SSA never suspends SSA numbers. Many of my clients have told me that they receive calls indicating that their SSA number is going to be suspended if they do not take certain actions. The SSA does not suspend SSA numbers. This type of call is a scam.
5. The SSA will never ask for money over the phone. If the caller is asking for money in any way, shape or form, the call is a scam.
The best way to handle any of these calls is to give the information to your representative. Take down the name and telephone number of the person who called you. Your representative is an expert in fielding these calls and protecting you. They will know if the call is legitimate or not.
If you are not represented, take down the caller’s information and reach out to the Office of the Inspector General. You can submit a claim form online. Unfortunately, this process can be time consuming and if the caller is legitimate, you risk delaying your case.
This is just another reason why having an expert handle your case is helpful. At our firm, we only get paid if we win your case. We handle all of the stress and deadlines while you rest assured that everything is being taken care of. We represent folks throughout Vacaville, Fairfield, Vallejo and all surrounding areas. So, give us a call today!
Note: The information provided in this blog is general advice. It is not intended to cover all issues or protect you from any and all scam calls. Scammers change their tactics daily and are very good at manipulating people, so it’s impossible for us to cover all potential scenarios or to provide advice that applies to all situations. We accept no responsibility or liability for damages caused by taking and responding to scam calls.
