Money

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, about 30 million small businesses in the United States employ tens of millions of people. Running a small business can be a 24-7 endeavor. Managing employees, inventory, scheduling, services, and marketing can be challenging.

During the holiday season, scammers and fraudsters ramp up their deceptive efforts. Amy Nofziger, AARP's director of fraud victim support, outlines ways to identify, avoid and report them.

Our online services often allow you to do business with us without visiting a local office or calling. Here are our top 10 webpages of 2020:

If you receive a Benefit Verification letter, sometimes called a "budget letter," a "benefits letter," a "proof of income letter," or a "proof of award letter," we have good news for you! A new standardized Benefit Verification letter is now available when you need proof of Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicare.

The holidays are here, but unfortunately so are the con-artists looking for opportunities to spoil your celebrations. They are more than willing to use the joyous mood to get into your wallet. But with a little preparation and vigilance, you can cut down on the threat of becoming a scam victim.

Nearly 70 million Americans will see a 1.3 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and SSI payments in 2021. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

Doug Shadel, one of the country's foremost experts on fraud, said people should be especially aware of scammers during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the holiday season when people are anxious and do a lot of shopping.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION #1

With average low temperatures ranging from the single digits to highs in the 20s Fahrenheit in North Dakota in December and January, it’s not too early to budget for and explore programs that are available to help pay winter heating bills.

If you need to replace your lost or misplaced Social Security card, our online application makes getting a replacement card easier than ever. Requesting a card replacement online is available if you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 45 states that can verify state ID information for us. If you’re only requesting a replacement card and you’re making no changes, you may be able to use our free online service.