Fighting Fraud

The holidays are a time of joy and celebration. Unfortunately, many scammers capitalize on this season to take advantage of unsuspecting victims, especially senior citizens.

We can all agree these criminals deserve nothing but coal in their Christmas stockings. Unfortunately, the threats of identity theft and scams continue to rise. To fight fraud, each of us must be vigilant to protect ourselves and our families.

Scammers often target people around the holidays with stories which tug on heartstrings, trying to exploit the season of giving. Requests from people you have never met in person which ask you to wire or send money should always be met with extreme caution. If you are not sure how to handle a request, please contact your local police department. My office will also do our best to assist you or direct you to the right place.

If you choose to donate to a charity, it is important to make sure the charity is properly registered and has implemented security measures to safeguard your donation. When donating online, double check the spelling of the web address before entering your financial information.

Many Nebraskans have contacted my caseworkers after receiving fraudulent calls or emails claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), requesting sensitive information or making threats. National Tax Security Awareness Week is held in December, and the IRS offers resources to help taxpayers avoid falling victim to tax scams.

The IRS specifically states it will never request any financial information or threaten lawsuits or imprisonment over the phone or through email. If you have any questions about the validity of a request, please do not give out any personal information. Instead, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or forward questionable emails to phishing@irs.gov. If it is a legitimate request, your due diligence will be understood and appreciated.

My office also regularly hears from Nebraskans who have received mailings from organizations asking for money to ensure their concerns on a piece of legislation or an issue, such as Social Security or Medicare, will be heard by their elected officials. At times, some of these groups have even used my name without my knowledge or permission. You do not need to pay money to make your opinions known to me or your other government representatives – simply pick up the phone or send me a note through my website at AdrianSmith.house.gov. If you have any questions about a mailing you have received, feel free to contact my office.

In Congress, we continue to work on legislation to prevent fraud. For example, the House passed a bill in September to require the Social Security Administration to remove Social Security Numbers (SSNs) from mailings when they are not necessary and to justify when mailings need SSNs. Though the government has a role to play in protecting citizens, personal responsibility is still the best defense against scammers and identity thieves.

As you enjoy your holiday gatherings, I encourage you to have open dialogues with your family members to share concerns and ensure everyone takes proper precautions with their sensitive information. By working together, we can protect against fraud and enjoy a safer holiday season.