Consumer Alert
Scammers impersonate the Social Security Administration
Your Social Security number is an important key for an identity thief. Scammers want it, and they think of all sorts of ways to trick you into giving it away.
Here at the Federal Trade Commission, we’re getting reports about calls from scammers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. They say there’s been a computer problem, and they need to confirm your Social Security number.
Other people have told us that they have come across spoof websites that look like the place where you would apply for a new Social Security card – but these websites are actually a setup to steal your personal information.
If you get a phone call or are directed to a website other than ssa.gov that is claiming to be associated with the Social Security Administration, don’t respond. It’s most likely a scam.
Here’s some tips to deal with these government imposters:
- Don’t give the caller your information. Never give out or confirm sensitive information – like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number – unless you know who you’re dealing with. If someone has contacted you, you can’t be sure who they are.
- Don’t trust a name or number. Con artists use official-sounding names to make you trust them. To make their call seem legitimate, scammers use internet technology to spoof their area code – so although it may seem they are calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
- Check with the Social Security Administration. The SSA has a warning about these scams and suggests you contact them directly at 1-800-772-1213 to verify the reason for the contact and the person’s identity prior to providing any information to the caller.
If you come across one of these scams, please report it to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271, or 1-866-501-2101(TTY), and then tell the FTC about it.
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Take a picture of the email or text(screenshot) with your phone.Don't respond to it.Report it to the correct organization/company by calling them directly at their official number. Pay/invest in a reputable/effective credit monitoring service for all three credit bureaus. If your info is being used, make out police report. Contact all financial and credit card companies, change card #'s, and change passwords, notify all associated with your ID theft. Place fraud alert. Freese or lock credit. Find out!
At what $$$-minimum amount can help/investigation by government be received for identity fraud by a family member or any other criminal that you find has used your SSN and other personal identifying information to impersonate you or obtain cell phone or cable and internet services?
In reply to At what $$$-minimum amount by Victimized by …
You can help yourself for free. There is a secure government website where you can report identity theft. You will create a report to law enforcement. You can print letters to send to credit bureaus and businesses to show you are an identity theft victim. Go to IdentityTheft.gov for help.
In reply to At what $$$-minimum amount by Victimized by …
In reply to I am a senior who keeps by gm123456
In reply to BLOCK their number. If you by VaLin
In reply to I am a senior who keeps by gm123456
In reply to I received a similar call by MGM
In reply to I received a similar call by MGM
I received the following phone message today.."HH HASBRCK HTS NJ (201) 596-4527 NEW JERSEY 0:32 Hi this Tony Joel from the Head Office of social security administration. Your social security number is suspended for suspicion of the legal activities. Please kindly contact your allotted paralegal officer at 201-596-4527 immediately failing which we will freeze your assets in forfeited. I repeat 201-596-4527 thank you."
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That sounds like a scam. Some scammers make threats, saying they will arrest you, or freeze your bank accounts or Social Security number if you don't send them money.
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I have gotten 25 calls from scammers telling me I won 1,000.00 to 27,000.00 all won at publishers clearing house. yes they put a note on my computer if i did not pay the taxes right away I will not get my money 4 million. always wanting money.to get my money some names are Tony Brown- James Parker--Samuel Jones --Vick Goldman---
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