Statement of Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
October 16, 2020
Recently, there has been an increase in bilingual Social Security scammers contacting the community via telephone or email in an attempt to harm the public. We want to remind residents to be alert and aware of the warning signs that the person contacting you is a potential scammer.
Social Security may contact you in some instances but will never threaten you, demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action, suspend your Social Security number, require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency or wire transfer, and will never ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to mail cash.
If you receive a call you believe is suspicious be sure to hang up, do not give money or other personal information, and report the scam at https://oig.ssa.gov/. Similarly, do not respond to suspicious emails and immediately delete them.
Be alert, be active and most of all be safe!
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