If you have a Social Security number, you also have something else: the possibility of someone trying to scam you. The methods being used by scammers are getting more and more bold, and if victims follow instructions, they are in danger of a face-to-face meeting with the scammer.

There have been "alarming reports that criminals are impersonating SSA OIG agents and are requesting that their targets meet them in person to hand off cash," according to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General (OIG) (tinyurl.com/26kjsaf5).

Clearly, this method "introduces an element of physical danger to scams that never existed before," according to the OIG.

The scammer can start with a call that looks like it's official. That is, your phone's caller ID actually identifies the caller as "the Social Security Administration" (tinyurl.com/26uwejj5). The caller may even pose as a real Social Security Administration (SSA) employee by looking up an employee's name online.

According to a Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alert, "The caller says he's a Social Security Administration agent with an urgent warning: Your name and Social Security number are linked to serious crimes like money laundering and drug trafficking.

"You're panicked when he says there's an arrest warrant for you and the courts want to seize the money from your bank and retirement accounts. The only way to protect it, he claims, is to buy gold. The agent says he'll send someone to pick it up and will keep it safe until he can clear your name of any wrongdoing."

This is clearly an intimidating message that can cause someone to act if they are unprepared. It is essential to know that in the real world, "SSA OIG agents will never pick up money at your door or in any type of exchange. This is a SCAM!"

This type of scenario emphasizes the importance of knowing the methods the SSA will use to contact you.

According to the SSA (tinyurl.com/y2rkj47s), in general, it will call you if:

-- You have recently applied for a Social Security benefit.

-- You are currently receiving payments and need to update your record.

-- You have specifically requested a phone call from the SSA.

However, SSA will not do the following:

-- Threaten you with arrest or legal action.

-- Suspend your Social Security number.

-- Ask for personal details or banking information to give you a cost-of-living adjustment.

Further, the SSA will not demand an immediate payment from you, or require a payment be made "by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or wire transfer."

The OIG's Quarterly Scam Update to Congress in April 2024 reported that there was a 22.1% increase in scam allegations the OIG received in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 (a total of 17,032), compared with the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 (tinyurl.com/4fxrnhve). While there was an increase, it was still well below the peak of 225,364 allegations during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.

How do you avoid a Social Security scam?

The SSA offers tips at tinyurl.com/5d5abhuf:

-- Remain calm if you "receive a communication that causes a strong emotional response" and be sure to talk to someone you trust.

-- Hang up or ignore the message, including emails or texts that contain links or attachments.

-- Protect your money and your personal information.

If you realize you are being scammed, stop engaging; call the police to report what's happening. Take steps to assure that your financial accounts are safeguarded (contact your financial institutions to find out their procedures).

Then, report the scam to the SSA's Office of Inspector General: tinyurl.com/3w7h4bsa. If the contact was online, report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center: tinyurl.com/3ta7mseb. For fraud, reach out to the Federal Trade Commission: tinyurl.com/4crphynd.

To keep up to date on possible Social Security scams, visit the Office of Inspector General's Scam Alerts website page at tinyurl.com/ytcntxw2.

The key to derailing a scammer is being prepared. Knowing what scams are out there is an important part of avoiding a financial loss.

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

From time to time, readers of this column send me questions on topics of concern that relate to spouses. A particularly prickly topic is how Social Security retirement benefits work when a spouse dies.

I reached out to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for help.

"Harold" and "Wilma," a married couple, needed guidance. Harold just turned 70 and started taking his Social Security retirement benefit. Wilma, who also is 70 years old, had already been taking her own Social Security retirement benefit since age 62.

First, what are Wilma's options now that Harold is taking his Social Security?

According to the SSA, if a spouse qualifies for benefits on his or her own record, the SSA will pay that amount first. If the benefit on the spouse's record is higher, "they will get an additional amount on their record so that the combination of benefits equals that higher amount," according to the SSA spokesperson.

The "Benefits for Your Family" section on the Social Security website (tinyurl.com/y4jakh6k) provides guidance. The maximum family benefit ("Generally, the total amount you and your family can receive is about 150 to 180 percent of your full retirement benefit") is covered, as well as benefits for a spouse, benefits for children and benefits for a divorced spouse.

Second, what happens if Harold predeceases Wilma?

A surviving spouse "may be eligible for a higher survivor benefit," according to the SSA. If the surviving spouse is already receiving a benefit on a spouse's record, then the surviving spouse will automatically be converted into a "survivor" and will receive a survivor's benefit.

The SSA's "If You Are the Survivor" page (tinyurl.com/yc2mupcr) provides more details. There you will find who receives benefits, what happens if you are a surviving divorced spouse and how benefit amounts are factored for survivors.

Note: The website points out that in most cases, the funeral home handling the arrangements for the deceased will report the person's death to the SSA. However, if you need to report a death or apply for benefits, you can call the SSA at 800-772-1213. SSA representatives are available Monday through Friday. You also can contact your local Social Security office.

The Receiving Survivors Benefits Early page (tinyurl.com/2p9dmsuw) has a chart showing the "full retirement age" for survivors and a link to the regular full retirement age chart. The page also states "The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60," adding that "If a person receives widow's or widower's benefits, and will qualify for a retirement benefit that's more than their survivors benefit, they can switch to their own retirement benefit as early as age 62 or as late as age 70."

Third, what if Harold is unmarried at age 70 when he starts his retirement benefit and marries later. Assume his new wife has never worked, so she is not eligible for a Social Security retirement benefit on her own record. What happens?

Harold's new wife can apply for a spousal benefit if she is 62 or older, the details of which can be found on the "Benefits for Your Family" SSA webpage.

The spouse must be 62 throughout an entire month to be eligible for a spousal benefit.

To address your personal situation, take a little time to do some research using SSA resources. Don't skip the Frequently Asked Questions page at tinyurl.com/2f2kwr5a, which includes a popular question asked by many: "At what age should I start receiving my Social Security retirement benefits?" (tinyurl.com/4nf6jnju).

When there is lack of clarity on your best options, do not hesitate to contact SSA directly.

Ask for an appointment at your local office (find it at tinyurl.com/52t68mh8). Read more about documents needed for a widow's, widower's or surviving divorced spouse's benefits at tinyurl.com/24xjcf3f.

Before leaving this topic, let's tackle this question: How long can full benefits be expected to last? According to the Social Security Board of Trustees report released in early May, there is "enough dedicated revenue to pay all scheduled benefits and associated administrative costs until 2035, one year later than projected last year" (tinyurl.com/44nyhe4v).

That's both reassuring -- and distressing. What happens after 2035 will depend on Washington.

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you hidden financial information from your spouse (financial infidelity)? Are you overcompensating when sending money to your adult children (financial enabling)?

Do you purchase luxuries on credit when the impulse hits you (compulsive buying disorder)? Do you have a fear of budgeting (financial denial)?

These are the types of destructive behaviors that financial psychologists can help you identify and correct.

To get started, test yourself by taking a free test called the Klontz Money Behavior Inventory (KMBI).

Developed by author and associate professor Dr. Brad Klontz, Psy.D., CFP (tinyurl.com/yk47rv2e), the KMBI identifies "patterns of destructive financial behaviors and beliefs that may impede individuals from achieving their financial goals."

The test focuses on nine categories:

-- Compulsive buying disorder

-- Gambling disorder

-- Hoarding disorder

-- Workaholism

-- Financial dependence

-- Financial denial

-- Financial enabling

-- Financial enmeshment

-- Financial infidelity

You can take the test, which involves 50-plus questions, at tinyurl.com/3bw4b52p. Each question offers multiple selections for an answer, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree, with four selections in between. You will receive your results by email.

The test's instructions state that "You will get the most value from the test if you read each statement and go with your first impulse," adding that "you must avoid falling prey to 'social desirability.' This is the psychological impulse that tells us that we must show our best selves." Your first impulse "is likely the best reflection of what is happening in your subconscious and what is driving your actual financial behaviors."

Your scores (ranging from one to six) will translate into a rank of low, medium or high, with low suggesting you do not exhibit the money behavior, medium suggesting you exhibit some characteristics, and high suggesting you exhibit many of the characteristics.

When you receive your results, you also will get detailed descriptions about the categories. For example, compulsive buying disorder is described as "a serious money disorder and is associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, substance abuse, and a tendency to try to escape from or avoid stress. Compulsive buyers believe that the acquisition of objects will compensate for or neutralize negative feelings, which is just not the case."

You might be curious about the definitions for the other categories. Here are some additional explanations:

-- Financial Dependence: This "can take on many forms, including a dependency on partner, parents, trust funds or the government to take care of one's financial needs. It is a primary reason that victims of domestic violence return to their abusers, and a common source of conflict and frustration among family members."

-- Financial Denial: "Many of those who are experiencing financial stress attempt to cope by simply not thinking about money or trying to avoid dealing with it. Rather than addressing financial situations or problems, they try to ignore them."

-- Financial Enabling: Enablers "often put themselves at financial risk to help others. They have trouble saying 'no' to financial requests from children, friends and/or family members, and may avoid making clear arrangements for repayment of loans."

-- Financial Enmeshment: This involves "the blurring of boundaries between adults and minor children around money." It also includes "the 'use' of children by adults to bear unreasonable responsibility for, or worry about, adult financial situations."

-- Financial Infidelity: "Forty percent of Americans admit that they lie to their spouses about the details of their spending. Financial infidelity involves lying about, hiding, or omitting information about one's financial behaviors from one's spouse or partner."

Keep in mind, as the test points out, "Nothing contained herein constitutes investment advice," and the information "should be used in consultation with a qualified financial professional."

Still, the test can provide insight on your approach to how you view money and manage it, pointing out strong and weak points. From there, you can look into resources to help you improve your perspective when it comes to the way you handle financial issues.

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION