Page 6 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2023 - 30-06

Page 6 Senior Times - June 2023
PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION & BENEFITS
By: Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Identity theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm.
Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of iden- tity theft, and exercising caution.
may claim your Social Security number (SSN)
is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not comply with their instruc- tions. Here are three things you should do:
• Hang up right away or do not reply to the email. • Never give personal information or payment of
Here are 10 things you can start doing now to protect yourself and your loved ones from identi- ty theft:
1. Protect your Social Security number by keep-
any kind.
• Report the scam at oig.ssa.gov to immediately
ing your Social Security card in a safe place at home. Don’t carry it with you or provide your number unnecessarily.
personal computer. Use a virtual private net- work (VPN) to stay safe on public Wi-Fi. Do not perform certain activities that involve sen- sitive data, like online shopping and banking, on public Wi-Fi networks.
You should continue to remain vigilant if you receive a phone call from someone who claims there’s a problem with your SSN or your benefits. If you owe money to us, we will mail you a let- ter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.
2. Be careful when you speak with unknown callers. Scammers may mislead you by using legitimate phone numbers or the real names of officials. If they threaten you or make you feel uneasy, hang up.
9. Protect yourself on social media by custom- izing your security settings and deleting accounts you no longer use. Also, dou- ble-check suspicious messages from your con- tacts, as hackers may create fake accounts of people you know.
There are a few ways you can identify a scam call or email. Remember that we will never:
• Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or
3. Create strong, unique passwords so others can’t easily access your accounts. Use differ- ent passwords for different accounts so if a hacker compromises one account, they can’t access other accounts.
other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in
4. Never give your personal or financial infor- mation in response to an unsolicited call or message, and never post it on social media.
transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card. • Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social
5. Shred paper documents that contain personal information, like your name, birth date, and Social Security number.
Security-related problem.
• Send official letters or reports containing per-
6. Protect your mobile device from unauthorized access by securing it with a PIN, adding a fin- gerprinting feature, or using facial recognition. You can also add a password and adjust the time before your screen automatically locks.
Scammers are always finding new ways to steal personal information by exploiting your fears but you can take steps to secure your Social Security information and benefits by being pre- pared. The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails.
Note: If you do not have ongoing business with the Social Security agency, it is unlikely they will contact you. Again, if you get a suspicious call claiming to be from Social Security, or law enforcement about Social Security, you should hang up and report it right away to the Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
10. Never click on any link sent via unsolicit-
ed email or text message – type in the web address yourself. Only provide information on secure websites.
exchange for payment.
• Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire
notify the law enforcement team in our Office of the Inspector General.
Be sure to take steps to defend against scam- mers who target your Social Security benefits.
sonally identifiable information via email.
7. Regularly check your financial accounts for suspicious transactions.
We encourage you to create your own personal my Social Security account to track your earnings record. Contact Social Security if you see suspi- cious work activity on your record – you could be a victim of identity theft.
8. Avoid internet threats by installing and main- taining strong anti-virus software on all your devices – including your mobile device and
One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement. They
Live Theatre is Back! Join us this summer & celebrate our 77th Season
Create lasting memories with your loved ones. Experience our wonderful lineup of shows, get to know our outstanding 2023 company, and enjoy all that the Barn Theatre has to offer!
June 6 -18 June 20 - July 2 July 5 -16 July 18 - 30
Sponsored By Sponsored By
*2 weekends only
Tickets & Season Details at barntheatreschool.org or call 269.731.4121 13351 M-96 AUGUSTA, MI 49012
SPECIALISTS IN HEARING CARE
Don't Miss Those Precious Whispers
EXPERIENCE: Combined 50Years InThe Hearing Industry PROFESSIONALISM: We Offer Comprehensive Audiologic & Hearing Aid Services
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Our Audiologists Are Experts InThe Latest Digital Hearing Aids
SERVICE & FOLLOW-UP: We Offer A 30 Day Trial & Offer Up To 3 Years Warranty On All Instruments
battlecreekhearingaids.com
269-979-6455
3566 Capital Ave SW • Battle Creek (One Mile South Of 1-94)
269-953-1120
300 Meadow Run Drive Suite 3 • Hastings, MI
Follow us on Facebook
Our Friendly Knowledgeable Staff Will Help You Make An Informed Decision On Your Hearing Care Needs!
Certified Audiologists:
• Paja Dickenson, MA, CCC-A
• Hanna Klingaman, Au.D, CCC-A • Margaret Larsen, Au.D, CCC-A
WE PARTICIPATE WITH MOST INSURANCES