Sheriff warns against Social Security inquiries

by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com

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Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson is urging citizens who have been contacted by representatives claiming to be from the Social Security Administration to use caution before letting the people into homes or giving out personal information.

In a statement to the Times-Courier Tuesday, Jan. 30, Nicholson said, “We have had some calls concerning people coming to homes, more specifically homes of some of our elderly residents, and claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They are seeking personal information about people in the homes.

“Detectives from the department’s criminal investigation division (CID) are currently conducting an investigation regarding this practice and these instances,” said Nicholson.

The Social Security Administration usually contacts people through the mail or by telephone. “Our officers have made contact with two of these individuals, and their stories have some amount of credibility. But, until we have a definite answer from SSA, I am encouraging anyone who has contact with these individuals to contact the detectives at CID at (706) 635-4646 or my office at (706) 635-4162,” said the sheriff.

Nicholson said they were checking with other counties to see if similar situations were occurring there. The sheriff added, “If you are suspicious of anyone who comes to you door, do not let them in, and call us. Also, do not give out any personal information until we can get to the bottom of this situation.