By Erin Smith
The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office is warning North Carolina residents to be alert for a new scam targeting your Social Security number.
According to reports, the scammer poses as a Social Security employee and will either threaten the victim or give them misleading information in an effort to obtain their Social Security number.
The Attorney General’s Office reports scammers have found a way to thwart caller id devices and “spoof” the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) legitimate phone number which is 1-800-772-1213. When the victim answers the call, the scammer will ask for personal information including their social security number.
The NC Attorney General’s Office advises victims to be aware of the following:
*Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. You don’t have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
*SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.
*Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.
If you encounter someone seeking to get this information from you, report it to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by contacting your local law enforcement agency.
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