August 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Social Security numbers are the skeleton key to identity theft. And what better way to get someone’s Social Security number than by pretending to be from Social Security?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that scammers call thousands of Americans every day, looking to wangle personal information, steal benefits or both. It’s a common form of government imposter scam in which fraudsters pose as government officials to get you to send money or give up personal and financial data for use in identity theft.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins says such activity has been occurring locally of late.
“The elderly are being targeted by these scammers. People are reporting to us that they have received telephone calls from the number 1-844-228-5887 and the caller claims to be from the Social Security Administration. The scammer tells the would be victim that their social security number has been used for fraudulent activity and then requests personal information from the victim in order to keep them safe. Do not fall for this scam. The Social Security Administration already has your personal information and will not call you in this manner,” said Chief Collins.
If someone has tried to make you a victim of this scam you may report it to the Smithville Police Department at 615-597-8210.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported a surge in late 2018 in scams involving fake SSA employees calling people with warnings that their Social Security numbers had been linked to criminal activity and suspended. The caller asks you to confirm your number so he or she can reactivate it or issue you a new one, for a fee. This is no emergency but a ploy to get money and personal data: Social Security does not block or suspend numbers, ever.
This con is sometimes executed via robocall — the recording provides a number for you to call to remedy the problem. In another version, the caller says your bank account is at risk due to the illicit activity and offers to help you keep it safe.