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YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY | Rock Island, Illinois Office

By Cristina Vital
Social Security Manager
Rock Island Social Security Office

SOCIAL SECURITY’S TOP 5 SCAM AWARENESS ARTICLES

Did you join us for Slam the Scam Day in March? If so, you know how important it is to raise awareness about government imposter scams. That’s why we want you to have all the information you need to protect yourself. Check out our top 5 scam awareness articles below:

1. We work with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. In How We Protect You from Misleading Advertising and Communications, we detail what to do if you receive a suspicious advertisement or imposter communication. Please see blog.ssa.gov/how-we-protect-you-from-misleading-advertising-and-communications.
2. Identity theft affects millions of people each year and causes serious harm. Here are 10 ways to protect yourself by securing your personal information at blog.ssa.gov/10-ways-to-protect-your-personal-information-2.
3. Financial crime against all Americans is an ongoing problem. People living with dementia have a higher risk of becoming victims of fraud. You can learn how to minimize this risk for your loved ones at blog.ssa.gov/minimizing-the-risk-of-scams-for-people-living-with-dementia.
4. Fraudsters also target veterans, active duty service members, and their families. To learn what to look for and how to help the veterans and military members in your life, check out blog.ssa.gov/stay-alert-fraudsters-target-veterans-active-duty-service-members-and-their-families.
5. Quick Response (QR) codes are very popular these days. A QR code is a scannable barcode that directs you to a website or social media account. Did you know scammers place fake QR codes on top of official ones? It’s among the latest trends we list in this post to combat scams at blog.ssa.gov/new-years-resolutions-to-combat-scams.

Please share this information with friends and family to help us spread the word about scams.

Question and Answer

Question: Can I refuse to give my Social Security number to a private business?

Answer: Yes. You can refuse to disclose your Social Security number, and you should be careful about giving out your number. But be aware, the person requesting your number can refuse services if you don’t give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that doesn’t violate a federal or state law.