Goodhue County Scam Alert

Goodhue County Health & Human Services is warning people to beware of fake "call transfers" to Social Security or Office of the Inspector General.

Scammers are impersonating well-known retailers, other government agencies, and even law enforcement — then falsely claiming to transfer your call directly to the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the SSA Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Legitimate companies and other agencies CANNOT transfer your phone call directly to SSA or OIG.

If a call connects you to someone claiming to be from SSA or OIG, it is a scam, without exception, every time.

• Hang up immediately. Do not press any numbers or stay on the line to be transferred.

• Do not trust caller ID alone; scammers can spoof legitimate government numbers.

• Contact SSA directly using phone numbers you find yourself, not those provided during the call.

• If you are concerned about fraudulent charges, call your bank or retailer directly.

• Change login credentials for any accounts that may have been compromised.

Report the scam at oig.ssa.gov/report.