Senator Collins Warns of Two New Scams Targeting Mainers

Washington, D.C.—The Senate Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline has recently received reports of two new scams that are targeting Mainers.  The first involves the Social Security Administration, and the second affects CMP customers.  U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Aging Committee, is warning Mainers to be vigilant and protect themselves from being defrauded. 

Mainers have reported receiving calls that appear to be from the Social Security Administration informing them that their Social Security Number has been compromised.  The scammer claims they need additional information from the victim to verify their identity.  Mainers have also described receiving a robocall purporting to be from CMP.  Victims are told that their electricity will be shut off in 30 minutes due to a missed payment unless they provide their credit card information and settle their account immediately.  

“I urge everyone to be extremely wary of providing personal information, especially credit or debit card information, to anyone who has contacted you who you do not know,” said Senator Collins.  “If you receive a robocall like these, the best course of action is to immediately hang up.”

Senator Collins’ Aging Committee operates a toll-free Fraud Hotline for people to report being victimized by scam artists or to receive assistance if they think they are being scammed.   Earlier this year, Senator Collins unveiled the 2019 Fraud Book, which details the top 10 most common scams reported to her Committee’s Fraud Hotline over the previous year. 

Senator Collins has also helped lead efforts to fight against robocalls.  In July, she chaired a hearing assessing the government’s response to these illegal calls.  She also introduced a bill to crack down on the deceptive caller-ID “spoofing” tactic many robocallers use, and she successfully pushed the FCC to approve a proposal to allow carriers to block illegal robocalls by default.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call can call the Senate Aging Committee’s toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.