GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Better Business Bureau has received dozens of reports on their Scamtracker website from people in Northeast Wisconsin being targeted in Social Security Administration scam calls.
It starts with a phone call from someone alleging to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The name on your caller ID may even back up that claim.
“They are telling them that their Social Security Number has been tied to some sort of illegal activity and that they are about to disable or deactivate their Social Security Number,” said Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau.
Next comes the demand. In order to fix the situation, the caller needs you to confirm your SSN and other personal information or to pay a fee via credit card to have the alert removed.
Bach says the next step is the threat.
If you don’t cooperate, the caller threatens to take you to court or have your Social Security number blocked or revoked.
“They provide no proof, they just tell them that.”
Bach says, first of all, people should be aware that the tactic is a huge problem.
“The Social Security Administration would never call you to tell you that. If you need to be communicated with they would send a letter first.”
She says the next red flag is the demand for payment with prepaid cards.
“I think the preferred way that scammers like to be paid are these new gift cards or prepaid debit cards.”
She says that is because it is all about making money.
“They want you to purchase like a Target or Best Buy gift cards or even an I-Tunes card. Those are cards that are targeted on the black market.”
Scammers hope that under pressure you will tell them your SSN and other sensitive personal information. Scammers can use SSNs to commit identity theft and file tax returns in your name to steal your refund.How to Avoid the Scam
- Never give personal information to unsolicited callers. If someone contacts you without your permission, refuse to tell them any personal information.
- Don’t trust your caller ID. The internet has made it possible for scammers to use fake IDs when they call your home. If you receive a suspicious call, don’t make any important decisions based on what your caller ID says.
- Contact the Social Security Administration: If you are concerned about a call you received from someone who claims to be with the SSA, you can call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
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