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CTLawHelp.org was created by several nonprofit legal aid organizations whose shared mission is to improve the lives of Connecticut residents by providing free legal help to people with very low income.
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An award letter (also known as an award notice) is what the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends out to inform an individual that a claim for benefits has been approved. Though award letters go out for any type of benefit application, the term is most commonly associated with disability claims.
If you need to replace your original award letter, you can request a copy by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visiting your local SSA office. Local offices fully reopened April 7 after being closed to walk-in traffic for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Social Security recommends calling in advance and scheduling an appointment to avoid long waits.
If a copy is not available, Social Security can provide you with an official letter with the information you need.
Keep in mind
An award letter is not the same thing as a benefit verification letter (also called a proof of award letter, among other things). A benefit verification letter is a statement from Social Security that spells out the benefits you are receiving and can be used as evidence of income — for instance, if you are applying for a loan. Unlike an award letter, a benefit verification letter can be obtained instantly online if you have a My Social Security account.
By
Reports of imposter letters
from the “Social Security Administration” are causing alarm among many Social Security beneficiaries. So, to help give you peace of mind, our Social Security disability attorneys at
Esper Aiello Law Group, have put together all the latest information on this new scam, as well as a list of steps you can take to avoid becoming one of its victims.
The Scam
The premise of the scam is a simple one. A victim will receive an official looking letter in the mail from the “Social Security Administration” containing information about a scheduled telephone appointment. It is worth noting that in many of these cases, the victim’s address is listed on the letter correctly, but their Social Security and telephone numbers are not – this is a tell tale sign that the documents contained within the correspondence are in fact not legitimate. Once the victim calls the appointment line to supposedly speak with a representative, they are immediately prompted to give the person on the other end of the line their correct Social Security and telephone numbers. Once the information has been exchanged, the scammers can then use the information however they choose, while the beneficiary is left unaware that a scam had even taken place. The incredibly convincing natures of these imposter letters, make them especially dangerous to seniors who may be more susceptible to these types of scams.
Don’t Become a Victim
If you feel as though you have received any type of suspicious correspondence, there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud.
- Do not give out your information. It never hurts to be safe, and there is no penalty for refusing to give out your personal information to anyone over the phone. Until you feel comfortable that you are speaking with the correct person, and your information is safe, avoid sharing any personal information in any way, shape, or form.
- Do not trust names, titles, or phone numbers. Scammers can come up with all kinds of official sounding names and titles, and redirecting a phone number through various devices can spoof any area code or phone number, so be wary if someone reaches out to you directly for personal information – no matter how legitimate they seem.
- Always double check. If you have dealt with the Social Security Administration before, or if you have a steady Internet connection, you can easily find the official contact number for their service line. If you ever feel unsure of whom you are speaking with on the phone, ask to call back and contact the SSA directly, to ask them about your suspicions. They will more than happily provide you with all the answers you need to stay secure.
Call us, today, at 313.964.4900 or fill out the form in the sidebar or on our contact page, and learn more about how we can help you.