Area residents are reporting a scam phone call involving your social security number.
Scammers are calling, pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and saying that your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity or being involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it or will ask for money or gift cards to keep your SSN or bank account safe.
Here’s what to know:
• Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. You don’t have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
• Social Security Administration will never call to threaten you or your benefits. And SSA will not tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.
• Don’t trust what you see on caller ID. Scammers can make it look like they’re calling from anywhere – even a real Social Security Administration phone number.
• Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Or your bank account or credit card number.
• Real Social Security Administration staff do call people who have ongoing business with the agency. But they’ll never threaten you, or ask you to send money.
If you have given your ss number out and think your identity might be compromised, click here to report it.
