A current email scam invites people to take advantage of “a little known Social Security contract” which enables you to receive “little known benefits.” Think that sounds too good to be true? It should—there is no “little known Social Security contract.”
What are some clues that scams might not be legitimate? Scammers insist that the situation is urgent and issue warnings. They try to convince you to act now to avoid dire consequences. They promise a deal or secret that the public doesn’t know about. They come from organizations unknown to you. They offer things the government doesn’t want you to know, but they don’t come from a .gov website.
The Federal Trade Commission’s website maintains a list of scams in the news. You can sign up to be notified by an e-mail when new scams appear. You can also get free consumer education materials and read the latest from consumer protection experts. Stay well informed by visiting the FTC scam alert page. It’s in your best interest to find out about the scams and how they work so you won’t fall a victim to one yourself. Protect yourself by learning how to avoid scams and fraud. You can search for “identity Theft” or “phishing scam” on Social Security website, www.socialsecurity.gov to learn more about how to protect yourself. Then you’ll be the one who knew it sounded too good to be true.
For more information, click here.
Teaching Suggestions
- Ask students what they would do if they received such enticing offers.
- Ask students to make a list of agencies where they can file a complaint against these scammers.
Discussion Questions
- How can you determine if the offer is legitimate?
- What can you do to protect yourself from such bogus offers?
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