THE scams They are evolving at an alarming rate and do not only affect those who use the most modern technologies. Now, cybercriminals have taken their tactics even further, adapting the classic “phishing» to more traditional means such as letters sent by postal mail. In this context, the Social Security has issued a strong warning: they are using your name to deceive and steal money from citizens.especially to retirees. This modality raises concerns because it seeks to take advantage of the trust people place in official institutions.
The way scammers operate is simply ingenious. Instead of emails or text messages, Victims receive letters that appear to be legitimate communications from Social Security. These letters are designed to appear authentic, with titles that simulate official documents and information that could confuse even the most cautious. In this situation, it is essential to know how to identify these scams and what to do if you receive one of these fraudulent letters. And the seriousness of the matter cannot be underestimated, since this type of scam seeks to obtain critical personal and banking data, exposing victims to significant economic risk. Social Security has insisted that no citizen should provide sensitive information without first verifying the authenticity of the request.
Maximum alert from Social Security
For weeks, many retirees have reported having received a letter purporting to come from Social Security. With the title “CHANGE OF SOCIAL SEC BANKING DATA”he document reports of a suspected cyberattack that compromised the organization’s database. According to the text, this incident would have caused the loss of banking data, recipients are therefore asked to update their personal information.
Among the required data, It includes a photo of the double-sided DNI, a bank statement showing the account holder and an approximate figure of the amount collected in the previous month. To make the scam more credible, the letter mentions a fictitious law and promises increased benefits to entice recipients to provide information.
From social networks, the General Treasury of Social Security has categorically denied the authenticity of these communicationsConcretely, the organization alerted citizens that “we did not send you this letter” and asked that, if they receive it, they do not pay attention to it, let alone share the requested data.
How to identify this scam
Recognizing a fraudulent letter can be difficult, especially if it is designed to imitate official communications. However, Some key indicators can help you detect deception:
- Content errors: Fraudulent letters often contain spelling mistakes or poorly constructed sentences, which may indicate that they do not come from an official source.
- Suspicious email addresses: In this case, the letter asks to send the documents to an Outlook email, which does not correspond to the official Social Security addresses.
- Unusual requests: Social Security will never ask you to send a photo of your identity document or your bank statement by email or postal mail.
If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a communication, it is best to contact Social Security directly or visit one of their offices to verify the information.
What to do if you receive this letter
If you find a letter with these characteristics in your mailbox, don’t worry, but don’t ignore the risk either. The most important thing is not to provide any personal or banking information. The National Police recommends following these guidelines:
- Check authenticity: Before taking action, call the official Social Security number to confirm if the communication is legitimate.
- Avoid answering: Do not send emails, photos or information to the sender listed on the letter.
- Report the scam: Contact the authorities to report the attempted fraud, which can prevent others from falling into the same trap.
In an increasingly interconnected world, where technology coexists with traditional methods, criminals have found new ways to deceive people. This case, in particular, highlights the need to remain vigilant and inform our loved ones, especially older people, who may be more vulnerable to this type of deception.
Social Security has reminded all citizens that they will never request personal or banking information through unsecured means. In addition, Any official communication will always be handled through the organization’s usual channels. When in doubt, it is essential to proceed with caution and be wary of any request that does not appear completely reliable.
Collaboration between institutions and citizens will be essential to combat this type of fraud. In the meantime, staying informed and sharing these alerts with others is the first step in stopping the “bad guys” from getting what they want.
