Various government agencies, along with law enforcement, are reporting an uptick in security-related scams. It is important to be aware of potential scams and discuss them with elderly family members, who are often victims.

Social Security Related Scams

Criminals continue to impersonate agency personnel in an attempt to obtain personal information or money.

Scammers might call, email, text, write, or message you on social media claiming to be from the Social Security Administration or the Office of the Inspector General. They might use the name of someone who works there and send a picture or attachment as “proof.”

Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency. Social Security will typically mail a letter if there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record.

Tax Scams

First, the IRS initiates most contact through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.

However, there are circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business. These include when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, a delinquent (unfiled) tax return, or has not made an employment tax deposit.

Even then, taxpayers generally first receive several notices and letters from the IRS in the mail—a visit or call is very rare.

The IRS does not:

• Call to demand that taxpayers use a payment method such as a prepaid debit or gift card. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
• Send text messages or contact people through social media.
• Demand that you pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers, or other law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying. The IRS also cannot revoke your driver’s license, business license, or immigration status. Threats like these are common tactics scam artists use to trick victims into buying into their schemes.

United States Postal Service

USPS® and the Postal Inspection Service are warning about the circulation of fake emails/email scams claiming to be from USPS officials, including the Postmaster General. Please know that USPS officials never contact consumers directly to ask for money or Personal Identification Information (PII).

Be careful if you ever receive an email about a package delivery or unpaid online postage charges. Some postal customers receive bogus emails with the subject line “Delivery Failure Notification.” These emails appear to be from the U.S. Postal Service® and include language regarding an unsuccessful attempt to deliver a package. Do not provide any personal information.

The USPS also reports increased theft from personal mailboxes and outdoor USPS collection boxes. The best practice is never to leave outgoing mail with checks in an unsecured box. Consider utilizing an online bill pay system provided by your bank rather than mailing personal checks—you’ll also save postage. At least if a check is stolen, it will be a check issued by the bank, eliminating the risk of a thief duplicating personal checks.

If you are ever in doubt about the validity of a caller or email, do not respond. A clue is if they threaten enforcement action or pressure you to take immediate action.