Social Security Administration officials have asked the news media to alert the public about a new e-mail scam.

The e-mail, purportedly sent by the SSA and designed to frighten recipients with a scary message and phony deadline, has the words "Cost-of-Living for 2007" in the subject line. The message contains information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and includes the following words in bold-face type:

"NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely."

The recipients of the e-mail are directed to a Web site designed to look like the SSA's Internet Web site. When they arrive at the counterfeit site, they are asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as their Social Security number, bank account information and credit card information.

Those foolish enough to provide any or all of that information set themselves up for identify theft and raids on their bank accounts. They find out much later about credit cards established in their names that have phony mailing addresses so they don't get the bills until long after the con artists are gone.

Patrick O'Carroll Jr., inspector general of Social Security, said in a statement that individuals should never provide their Social Security numbers or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless they are "extremely confident" of the persons or the source to whom they are giving it to.

Mr. O'Carroll wants recipients of this phony e-mail -- or other suspicious contacts via mail, telephone or personal visits to their homes -- to call his Fraud Hotline toll-free at 1-800-269-0271 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those with hearing problems are asked to call toll-free at 1-866-501-2101.

A Public Fraud Reporting form is available at www.ssa.gov/oig/public_fraud_reporting/index.htm.

Online fraud such as this would be a good subject to discuss before, during or after the holiday meal tomorrow, especially with older members of the family. All too often I'm contacted by senior citizens after they've been taken in by such scams, have suffered the consequences and want help restoring their good names and credit standing.

Stuff the bird, not the disposal

ServiceMagic.com, a Colorado-based online company that links consumers with local service professionals, reminds homeowners and their guests not to overwork the garbage disposal tomorrow.

"During hours and hours of cooking, either too much waste gets thrown down the disposal or items are discarded that can't be broken down by the disposal," said David Lupberger, a home improvement expert for www.servicemagic.com.

"Make sure that everyone helping in the kitchen knows what can go into the disposal and what should not," he said. "Corn husks, grease, bones, potato skins, eggs shells and lettuce are all Thanksgiving dinner by-products that may lead to problems."

Mr. Lupberger also warned cooks and their helpers not to put too much down the disposal at once and to run it several times to clear it of smaller amounts of waste rather than trying to clear everything at once.

Have a happy and plumber-free holiday.