Don't Pay Private Companies for Free Social Security Services

Government officials warn that consumers should not be tricked into paying private companies for services that are actually provided for free by the Social Security Administration.

According to information from the Social Security Administration, some private companies have victimized people through misleading advertising for a variety of services that can he obtained at no charge directly from the Social Security Administration. Among the services some advertisers offer to perform for a fee are:

* providing a revised Social Security card to show a bride's married name;

* providing a Social Security card to replace a lost card;

* providing a Social Security number for a newborn baby;

* providing a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement.

In addition, some advertisers may suggest that Social Security is in dire financial shape and that people risk losing their Social Security or Medicare benefits unless they send a contribution or membership fee to the advertiser.

To report such abuse, the Social Security Administration has established a toll-free fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271.

To inquire about Social Security services, you can contact the Social Security office nearest you by telephone or in person. To find your closest Social Security Administration office, click here. You can also call the Social Security Administration nation-wide at (800) 772-1213.

The Social Security Administration has a wealth of information on their Web site at www.ssa.gov. You can also find much additional Social Security information at our law firm's Web site at www.ss-law.com. For instance, to learn how to revise or replace a Social Security card, or to get a Social Security number for a newborn baby, just click here. To request your Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement, click here. There is no charge for any of these services.

We invite you to contact our law firm with any questions you might have about Social Security disability -- whether you are preparing to file a disability claim or you have already filed a claim and been denied. If we can't help you, we will direct you to the proper agency to get answers to your questions.