Thursday, January 10, 2019
Social Security numbers are our most important personal information. These numbers – which can be used to open new credit cards, take out loans, even set up a new identity – are a scammer’s dream. That’s why they work so hard to steal your Social Security number.
We’ve been hearing about a new uptick in scammers posing as Social Security Administration (SSA) employees and calling people and threatening or misleading them in an attempt to steal their Social Security number. These scammers are able to fool your caller ID to show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the SSA calling.
Here’s what you need 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.
- SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or 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.
- Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.
Scammers are always looking for new ways to access sensitive information.
If you encounter someone seeking to get this information from you, report it to our Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by filing a complaint online.