The caller ID says that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is calling. The number displayed matches the toll-free number of the SSA, (800) 772-1213.When you pick up the phone you hear a recorded voice telling you that your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because it was involved in criminal activity.Fortunately, or so it seems, the recorded caller has the solution. Just call back and he will assist you. And if you don’t call? “We will have to issue an arrest warrant under your name and haveyou arrested.”
Spoiler alert: You will not be arrested if you do not call. So what happens if you do call? The scammers may attempt to get you to reveal your SSN, banking information or other personal data or they may demand that you purchase gift cards and send them the codes.
In 2018 more than 35,000 people reported these scam calls to the Federal Trade Commission.Victims reported losing more than $10 million to the scammers. To avoid falling victim to these scams, follow this advice from the Federal Trade Commission:
- The SSA will never call and ask for your SSN. They won’t ask you to pay anything and they will not call to threaten to stop your benefits. Just hang up and ignore the scammer.
- Even though the caller ID may show the real number for the SSN, it is easy to spoof caller ID and make any number show up there.
- Never give out personal information, such as your SSN (or even the last four digits), bank account number or credit card number to anyone who contacts you to ask for it.
- Anyone who tells you to wire money, buy gift cards and send the PINs or send cash is a scammer. Always. Do not do what they ask.
If you get one of these calls, report it to the FTC.
