Beware Social Security scams
February 6, 2019
By Katie Ritchie
The Federal Trade Commission released a recording from a scammer. The robocall claimed to be the Social
Security Administration (SSA). You can listen to it on our website, here: https://www.lexingtonchronicle.com/lifestyle/ssa-scam-recording . As of a December 27 statement, the number of people reporting SSA scams in 2018 was over 35,000, up from 3,200 in 2017. Victims lost $10 million, up from $210,000 in 2017.
The con can go a few ways. Some scammers claim your Social Security Number (SSN) was used in illegal activities. Others claim your SSN was suspended for suspicious activity. In these cases, they’ll ask you to “confirm” your SSN. If you do, that’s it. Scammers have your information. The other tactic is to claim your bank account is about to be seized. They’ll then demand you wire them funds or buy gift cards to save your accounts.
These scammers can make it look like the phone call is coming from the real SSA phone number. Thanks to phone spoofing technology, your caller ID isn’t foolproof.
Here’s what the FTC wants you to know:
Your SSN is not going to be suspended and your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
SSA will never call to verify your SSN.
Never give any part of your SSN, bank account number, or credit card number to someone who contacts you to “verify” information. If you think the matter is legitimate, hang up and call them back on a number you know is real.
No government agency will ever call and ask you to wire money, put money on gift cards, or send cash. If the caller ID has the real SSA number 800-772-1213 but they tell you to call back a different number, call the real SSA number. It may take a while to get through, but it’s worth it to avoid a costly mistake.
