People are at home more in the past few months, which also means there’s been more time and opportunity for scammers to try and lure you into their trap.
BE AWARE – the Eagle Grove Eagle has received first-hand information that there is a new scam happening in our area. Scammers are making phone calls to unsuspecting people stating they are from the Social Security Administration saying that they have notice suspicious activity with your Social Security number. They then direct you to “Press 1” for more information. DO NOT PRESS 1. Instead, hang up.
An individual who received this phone call – more than once, finally called the Social Security Administration office and verified, this is in fact A SCAM. According to their website, faq.ssa.gov, they will never call you to initiate a conversation. Instead, they will send you a letter via snail mail. They will only call if you have contacted them first or have ongoing business with them.
Other Social Security scam “topics” may also include identity theft, a problem with your Social Security number, account or benefits. Again, they will not call you unless you have called them first to report a problem. They will send a letter instead. The website also states that real Social Security employees will never threaten to suspend your Social Security Card, demand immediate payment in any form (cash, wire, gift cards, etc.).
If you do receive one of these calls, please hang up immediately and report the call to our Office of the Inspector General by going to their website, oig.ssa.gov. Click on “About Fraud Reporting” and the “Submit a Report.”
If you have fallen victim to this scam, do not be embarrassed to report it. Think about someone else you might be helping.
Learn more about fraud prevention and reporting at https://www.ssa.gov/antifraudfacts/.
