Does this sound like a scene from a movie?
Bob is relaxing at home after a crazy day at the office. He checks his voicemail messages on his phone and is startled to hear this message from a stranger: “This is a call from fraud prevention at the Social Security Administration. I am calling to inform you your social security number has been suspended. Please contact the emergency hotline number today, 773-xxx-xxxx. I repeat, the number is 773-xxx-xxxx. Thank you.”
In reality, this is not a message from the Social Security Administration. It is, in fact, a phishing call from a thief who is trying to get access to your personal information using your Social Security number.
The Social Security Administration is well aware of this phishing scam. They have developed a specific link to the SSA.GOV website that explains this fraud attempt in great detail. For helpful information, CLICK HERE.
Remember: the Social Security Administration does not call you and tell you they have “suspended” your number.
Below is a list from the Social Security Administration website of things they do not do:
- Call you to demand an immediate payment.
- Demand that you pay a debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.
- Require a specific means of payment, such as requiring you to pay with a prepaid debit card.
- Ask you for your personal information or credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten you with arrest or deportation.
If you get a call from anyone else using a message like this, the best thing to do is hang up!
