WyzGuys Tech Talk

Your phone may be ringing soon with a fraudulent call from the “Social Security Administration” about problems with your social security number.  The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about this fraud.  A transcript of a typical call is below.

“…law enforcement agencies to suspend your Social Security number on an immediate basis, as we have received suspicious trails of information in your name. The moment you receive this message, I need you to get back to me on my department division toll-free number that is 1-888-952-5554. I repeat 1-888-952-5554. Verify the last four digits of your Social Security number when you call to better assist you with this issue. Now, if I don’t hear a call from you, we will have to issue an arrest warrant under your name and get you arrested. So, get back to me as soon as possible. Thank you.”

Tactics of the current scam include:

• Caller ID spoofing – The caller ID uses the real toll-free number of the Social Security Administration customer service line (800-772-1213), although the call-back number in the recorded message is different.
• Unexpected caller – Unless you recently filed a claim with the SSA, no one is ever going to call you.
• SSN is suspended – The caller will claim your social security number is suspended, but this just doesn’t happen.  SSN’s are forever and never get suspended.
• Service fees – The caller may ask for a fee to “restore” or “reinstate” your SSN.
• Payment information – You may be asked to provide a credit card or bank account number and routing number.
• Criminal activity – Your SSN has been tied to a crime and you are in danger of arrest or deportation.
• SSA system outage – The SSA computer system is down, and you need to supply information such as your SSN, mother’s maiden name, and banking information.

While SSA employees do sometimes contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes, and in some situations, an SSA employee may request the citizen confirm personal information over the phone.  However, SSA employees will never threaten to put a hold on your benefits, arrest or deport you, in exchange for information.  They will not promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent.  Your best response is to hang up the phone.