How To Avoid Scams When Looking For Social Security Services
When you are looking for services related to social security, beware of common social security ads that are actually scams. Some of these scams are for services that are simply looking to steal your personal information or commit some other crime. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can avoid becoming the victim of a social security scam.
Websites That Offer Free Social Security Services for a Fee
Many laws prohibit businesses from using language that might mislead customers into believing that a business is endorsed by the Social Security Administration. If you discover a business using such language, contact the authorities.
Some companies will offer social security services for a fee that are often available for free. To make sure that you're not being scammed, check websites that end with .gov. These are websites that are associated with the United States government. If you can find the service for free on a government-related website, it might be a scam when you discover a similar service on another website for a fee.
Phishing Websites for Social Security Information
Common services that are offered as part of a scam include offering a Social Security number for a child, ordering a Social Security card, receiving a Social Security statement, and receiving a corrected Social Security card with your married name on it.
A common way to steal Social Security numbers and other information are through phishing scams. This is when a scammer creates a fake website which you would then enter personal information into. These websites are created to mimic a website that you would otherwise trust. To determine if you are dealing with a fake website, check the URL and make sure that it is correct. For example, if you find a website such as "medicaregov.com," do not confuse this URL for "medicare.gov," which is an official government website.
Fake Social Security Law Firms
In some cases, you might even encounter a fake Social Security disability law firm. Like with other legal scams, this scam will try to trick you out of a legal fee. They may list the contact information of real Social Security disability attorneys, but try to convince you to work with them directly. To avoid this, never pay a law firm over the phone or online. Instead, make sure to meet with a Social Security disability attorney in person before you pay for his or her services.