The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General Hotline has received fraud allegations regarding advertisements targeting elderly African Americans. It is important that all residents recognize the danger in giving out personal identifying information to unknown individuals or companies. Unscrupulous individuals can take the personal identifying information of another person and assume that person's identity They can open charge accounts, obtain car loans, and commit crimes. This activity will be traced back to the person whose identity has been stolen. The Social Security Administration has zero tolerance for fraud and this is why the agency is urging people to beware of these scams.

One advertisement states: "The Government is refunding monies to anyone alive that was born up until the year of 1927 due to the Slave Reparation Act." It urges people to become part of a "National Victim's Register" by supplying their name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The scam implies that a person can receive an application for a $5,000 payment that can be included in their Social Security check, or issued in a lump sum. This advertisement is a hoax.

A second advertisement involves the "Notch Baby", and targets individuals born between 1911 and 1926. This advertisement also requires individuals to become part of a "National Victim's Register" by supplying their name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The "Notch Baby" has been a legislative issue, but the requirement to become part of a "National Victim's Register" is a hoax.

These advertisements request that people send personal information to:

National Victim's Registrar

T.R.E.A. Senior Citizens League

P.O. Box 96472

Washington, D.C. 20090-6472

If you or a member of your family has been targeted by these scams, or if you have already sent any personal information to the address on the flyer, call the Social Security fraud hotline at: 1-800-269-0271. Also notify your bank, the credit bureau, and your credit card company.

Return to Social Security Administration of NWI Home Page.

For more information contact:

Gary Office
Social Security Administration
808 S Lake Street,
Gary, IN   46402
219-939-4312
1 (800) 722-1213

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Last revised May 11, 2006
Contact:  ljackson@lakeco.lib.in.us