The scam begins with the criminal submitting a fraudulent Social Security benefits application online using your personal information. In order to do this, he needs your name, Social Security number, date of birth and mother’s maiden name, plus supplementary identification questions regarding information from your credit report (e.g., current or past loans, accounts, and mailing addresses). It is common for criminals to collect this information from various online services or by contacting you directly by email, phone, text message or U.S. mail and posing as SSA representatives. If you receive any such communication, do not reply. Instead, contact the SSA directly at (800) 772-1213.
