Rights & Benefits Information Social Security’s Top 5 Data Privacy Resources By Dawn Bystry , Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
What is a money mule?
A money mule is someone who receives and moves money that came from victims of fraud. Some money mules know they are assisting with criminal activity, but others are unaware that their actions are helping fraudsters. If someone you don’t know sends you money and asks you to forward or transfer the money, you could be fueling fraud by serving as a money mule. Money mules may be recruited through an online job ad or social media post that promises easy money for little effort. Or money mules may agree to help a love interest they’ve met online or over the phone receive and send money — also known as a romance scam. Look for these red flags Follow these tips to avoid becoming a money mule: • Don’t agree to receive or send money or packages for people you don’t know or haven’t met in person. • Don’t take a job that promises easy money – especially if it involves sending or receiving money or packages. • Don’t open a bank account or cryptocurrency account at someone else’s direction. • Don’t send money to an online love interest, even if they send you money first. • Don’t pay to collect a prize or send someone money out of your “winnings.” What to do if you think you may be involved in a money mule scam Transferring money on behalf of others not only benefits criminals, but it could also lead to serious consequences for you – like losing money or even being put in jail. If you think you’ve been involved in a money mule scam, here’s what to do: 1. Stop communicating with anyone who asked you to move money or property . 2. Tell your financial institution and consider changing accounts. 3. Report the scam to local law enforcement and at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Money mules help international crime networks steal money from businesses and people just like you. It is important to stay alert and watch out for the red flags of a money mule scam. For more information, please visit the Department of Justice’s Money Mule Initiative web page (https://www.justice.gov/civil/ consumer-protection-branch/money-mule-initiative). Learn more about how to protect yourself and others from fraud and scams. ( https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how- can-i-protect-myself-and-others-i-care-about-from-fraud-and- scams-en-1935/)
Are you looking for better ways to stay safe online? As you know, Security is in our name. We are committed to protecting your personal information and take this responsibility seriously. We keep this commitment in mind when we collect information from you to carry out our mission. As we celebrated Data Privacy Week (last month), we are sharing our top five privacy resources:
1. A great first resource is opening your personal my Social Security account (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/). Your secure my Social Security account helps you keep track of your earnings records and identify any suspicious activity. 2. Our Privacy page (https://www.ssa.gov/privacy/) is a central source of information on our Privacy Compliance Program. You can learn more about the Privacy Act of 1974, submit a Privacy Act request, and review our privacy policies and reports. 3. In our blog post, 10 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information ( https://blog.ssa.gov/10-ways-to-protect-your- personal-information/ ) , we cover steps you and your loved ones can take to protect your data . 4. Our factsheet, How You Can Help Us Protect Your Social Security Number and Keep Your Information Safe ( https:// www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10220.pdf ) , provides details to safeguard your private information . 5. Our Guard Your Card infographic (https://www.ssa.gov/ ssnumber/assets/EN-05-10553.pdf) helps you and your loved ones understand when you need to show your Social Security card – and when you do not. We encourage you to review these resources and partner with us to protect your most important information. Please share these resources with your friends and family – and post them on social media.
Page 10 | March 2022, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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