Many seniors are reporting having received the following or a similar call from someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration:
“The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there’s a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any questions kindly call us back…”
The Federal Trade Commission has a few suggestions to recognize these scams and protect yourself:
Be suspicious of any government agency threatening you and asking for money.
Never give anyone your social security number, date of birth, checking account or credit card number over the phone.
Don’t trust your caller ID. Scammers can spoof the number to look like the call is from the real agency.
Never pay with a gift card.
Look up the agency’s real number and call it if you have questions.