A man claiming to work for the Social Security Administration is accused of scamming and stealing over $1.3 million in gold from an elderly couple in Pennsylvania.
The suspect, Pennsylvania State Police said in a report released Tuesday, contacted the 78-year-old man and woman living in New Providence, about 66 miles west of Philadelphia on Dec. 1, and said that one of their Social Security numbers had been compromised.
The suspect then told the victims to use their retirement money and assets, $$1,328,652 in total, to buy gold which would then be used to buy a new Social Security number.
Once the victims bought the gold, other unknown individuals took the gold, the Pennsylvania State Police said.
The police did not name either victim, and said that the investigation into the case is ongoing.
Police had made no arrests or named any suspects as of Thursday.
The Social Security Administration says on its website that it calls people if they recently applied for benefits, are receiving payments and need to update their records or if a person specifically requested a phone call.
But if there is an issue with someone’s Social Security number, the agency says it will send a letter.
The agency stresses that it does not threaten legal action or suspend Social Security numbers; does not demand immediate payment or payment in cash or other means; does not ask for gift card numbers or for people to wire or mail cash; and does not ask for personal information or banking details as part of making cost-of-living adjustments.
“Fraudsters pretend to be government employees and claim your identity has been stolen or that there is another problem with your SSN, record, or benefits,” the Social Security Administration says.
