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The Suspended Social Security Number Scam
Social Security scams are on the rise. Over 35,000 people reported Social Security impostor scams to the Federal Trade Commission in 2018, up from 3,200 in 2017. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), be wary even if the phone call appears to be from the government, as criminals will often spoof the SSA number. When you answer, a scammer will say your Social Security number has been suspended. But note, Social Security numbers do not get suspended. The SSA does make phone calls, but the organization states its employees will never threaten you for information. SSA employees won’t say you could be arrested if you don’t share personal banking records and do not make legal action threats if you fail to answer their questions. The SSA doesn’t ask for payment to be made in gift cards either. The goal of this and other scams is to gain your Social Security number and/or other personal data. Read more about this scam, what to do, and what not do by reading Rachel Hartman’s article in U.S. News here.
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