Avoid hoaxes, fraud in providing sensitive information

Senior citizens should exercise great caution when responding to solicitations promising additional Social Security benefit payments, according to Social Security's Inspector General.

The Office of the Inspector General has issued an alert entitled "Misleading Solicitations Target Senior Citizens." OIG's just-completed investigation revealed that over 29,000 individuals were duped by flyers promising extra Social Security benefits or slave reparations.

Many sent sensitive personal information--Social Security cards, drivers licenses, birth certificates, military papers--to an address listed on the flyers.

One flyer promised elderly African-Americans $5,000 pursuant to a "Slave Reparations Act" that has not been passed by Congress.

The flyer falsely informs recipients that the government is "refunding monies to anyone alive that was born up until the year of 1927 due to the Slave Reparation Act." This flyer promises elderly recipients $5,000 if they supply their name, address, phone number, date of birth, and Social Security number to a "National Victim's Registrar."

The flyer states that the $5,000 may be attached to the person's Social Security benefit check or issued in one lump sum. The flyer is a hoax.

The second flyer targets "notch babies" born between 1917 and 1926, although some versions of the flyer have extended that time frame significantly. This flyer promises recipients higher Social Security benefits or a $5,000 lump sum settlement under a bill proposed in the Senate.

The flyer warns recipients that "Social Security will not contact notch babies", so they should write to be placed on a register." The flyer asks for identifying information, including Social Security number. This flyer is also a hoax.

In the unlikely event that Congress passes some kind of notch legislation, a national registry of notch victims would be unnecessary: the Social Security Administration already maintains a list of everyone drawing Social Security benefits including addresses and dates of birth.

Inspector General James G. Huse, Jr. said, "By falsely promising additional Social Security payments, the anonymous mailings tricked people into parting with coveted personal information. Think twice before responding to any solicitations promising additional Social Security payments. 

Anyone with questions about Social Security should contact the Social Security Administration or their Congressional representatives directly."

The return address on both flyers directed responses to a post office box registered to TREA Senior Citizens League, an independent affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association. TSCL has denied any involvement with the flyers, but they are keeping the personal data that was submitted. And they are using that data for fund raising purposes.