Hingham Police Warn Of Social Security Scam Targeting Elderly

HINGHAM — Hingham police are warning residents not to give out private information over the phone to people they don't know after an elderly woman fell victim to a Social Security scam Friday. Police said the woman was told her Social Security number was stolen and needed to be verified.

Hingham police remind residents that no legitimate company or government agency will ever initiate a call and then ask for a Social Security number. In this case, a 75-year-old resident received a call from a man claiming to be from the Social Security office. The resident gave him her number.

If contacted by someone claiming to be from Social Security, or another government agency, hang up and then contact that agency independently. There are 30 individual Social Security offices in Massachusetts that can be found here.