If you get a call threatening to “suspend” your Social Security number for alleged illegal activity or a unpaid tax bill just hang up. It’s a scam — every single time.
The IRS has issued a consumer alert recently about an uptick in a scheme in which crooks pretend to be calling from the Social Security Administration (SSA). In fact, a number of government agencies are concerned about what they call “impostor” scams.
The goal in this con is either to scare people into revealing personal information or swindling them out of money. With your personal information, identity thieves can do a lot of financial harm. They can apply for credit in your name, open utility or mobile phone accounts or even get medical treatment using your health insurance.
When you answer your phone, there’s an automated recording claiming that your Social Security number has already been “suspended” or “blocked” because it has been linked to some “suspicious” activity. You may be threaten with an arrest warrant or that the police will be sent to your home. To clear up the matter and unblock your number the swindler says you have to pay a fee either by wiring money, using a gift card or loading cash on a prepaid debit card. Again, total baloney.
Most of the calls in Washington have been getting this call or voicemail recently
“Thank you this call is from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you…”