Disability Benefits Scammers Want To Steal Your Info In Ocean Co.

TOMS RIVER, NJ — If someone calls you offering to help you apply for federal disability benefits, hang up the phone. It's a scam.

The scam, which the Federal Trade Commission flagged in 2016, is starting to circulate in Ocean County. Here's how they are operating:

The scammer claims to be with the "Independent Patient Support Group," and says "we saw that you are disabled and unable to work, we can help you apply for disability benefits through SSDI."

"They’re taking a shot in the dark, hoping that you have started an application, and hoping you’ll give them a little more info over the phone," the Federal Trade Commission warning said. The scammers will ask you to give your Social Security number and they may ask for your bank account numbers as well. Do not give them the information.

The call can be very deceiving and it could be very easy to make a mistake. If you have elderly relatives, please warn them.

I received one of these calls Monday afternoon. It came from a 732 number and it initally sounded like they could be calling regarding an outstanding medical bill. They had my name, and they insisted someone had called from my number "to start the benefits process." As I'm not disabled, I immediately knew something wasn't right.

I reported the call to the police department in my town.

(No, I did not give them any information. I did say some very not-nice things, however.)

Scammers resort to resurfacing old scams, and that appears to be the case with this one.

A few more reminders from the Federal Trade Commission:

Never give your Social Security number or account numbers to someone who calls you.

If you have disability benefits, regularly check their status, and review your statements to make sure they’re right.

Pressured to provide your information? That’s a sure sign of a scam. Hang up immediately and report it to the Social Security Fraud Hotline and the FTC.

If you have questions about disability benefits, or get calls offering help with them, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

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