Pitfalls to Watch For

Even well-informed retirees can fall victim to sophisticated traps if they let their guard down. Be mindful of these common mistakes that inadvertently assist criminals:

• Trusting Caller ID Blindly: Criminals easily disguise their phone numbers to read “U.S. Government” or match local area codes. Never use a caller ID display as proof of identity.
• Engaging “Just for Fun”: Some people answer scam calls to mock the criminals or waste their time. This is a severe mistake. Answering the call proves your number is active, resulting in your phone number being sold to other criminal networks for relentless future targeting.
• Relying on Search Engines for Support Numbers: Scammers buy advertisements on major search engines. If you type “Social Security customer service phone number” into a search bar, the top sponsored results might belong to a scam call center. Always navigate directly to official websites to find contact information.
• Failing to Monitor Online Accounts: If you have not created your official online portal, a scammer might create one using your stolen identity. Establish your online account early to lock down your profile, even if you do not plan to claim benefits for several years.