Asked for SSN over phone? It’s a scam

I am not typically cynical by nature, but it seems that every time I turn around these days someone is trying to scam or defraud the elderly. And the ideas that these criminals have devised boggle the mind. If only they would use their powers for good.

Nonetheless, these con artists are out there, so we must remain ever vigilant and protect ourselves. If that means looking at life with a more critical eye, so be it. Better safe than sorry.

I have heard recently about a couple of new scams through TRIAD, an organization of seniors, law enforcement and social services agencies that fight crime directed at seniors. The first one is quite creative, which reminds us to stay on our toes.

Jury duty is serious business, hence the effectiveness of this particular scam. Here’s how it works. A telephone caller claims to be a court employee and explains that you have been selected for jury duty. You then are asked to verify your full name, Social Security number and credit card numbers. If you refuse to divulge this information, you will be threatened with fines – or worse, a possible arrest warrant.

This is a scam, one that uses intimidation by fear-mongers to coerce people into going against their better judgment and giving up their private information.

Be assured that the judicial system does not contact people by phone and does not ask for Social Security numbers, birth dates or credit card numbers. If you are faced with this situation, hang up immediately and call your local police department.

So far this scam has not happened in Maine, but it is only a matter of time, and police are on alert. If you receive a call such as this, do not provide any personal or confidential information because once you do, your identity could easily be stolen.

The scammers will open credit cards in your name and possibly attempt to take out loans in your name. You would be none the wiser until collection agencies began to call. It could take years to straighten it all out.

And it is a good idea to monitor your account statements and credit reports on a regular basis to stay apprised of any suspicious activity. You can receive one free report a year. And log on www.fbi.gov to learn more about the latest scams.

The second scam we could probably see coming, at least all of us who are now trained to be cynical. It involves the IRS stimulus checks.

As you know, checks will be mailed out shortly to people who file a tax return and who qualify for the stimulus payment.

Quick-thinking criminals are calling people to “verify” their Social Security numbers and bank account numbers so that the check may be direct deposited. Sound logical? It’s not. It is a scam.

The IRS will not contact you in this manner. If you are due a check, it will come in the mail.

Again, never give your personal information over the phone. The word “verify” is tricky as it implies that the caller already has the number. Of course, he or she does not have it at all – until you rattle it off.

It’s great to be trusting, but when talking to an unknown person on the phone, your best defense is to stay suspicious and hang up at the first sign of something fishy.

Save the date. The second annual Senior Expo will be held 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Wellman Commons on the former Bangor Theological Seminary campus on Union Street. There will be exhibitors, door prizes and presentations. Watch this space for coming details.

Carol Higgins Taylor is director of communications at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. E-mail Higgins Taylor at chtaylor@eaaa.org. For information on EAAA, call 941-2865, toll-free (800) 432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or log on EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.