Scam Watch
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Closest match
Fake Social Security call
Scam
Yes. Social Security will not threaten you, ask for gift cards, crypto or cash, or tell you to keep a secret. If you worry, hang up and call the real Social Security number from ssa.gov.
Other possible matches
Fake government or police call
Scam
Yes. Real police and government agencies do not demand gift cards, crypto, gold, wire transfers or secrecy, and fake badges do not prove anything. Hang up and call the agency using a number you look up yourself.
Move your money to be safe scam
Scam
Yes. Banks and agencies never tell you to move money, withdraw cash, buy gold or hand it to a courier. Stop, talk to family, and call your bank on the number on your card.
What the sources say
With this Social Security scam, an imposter pretending to be from SSA (or even the police) says your Social Security number (SSN) has been frozen due to alleged criminal activity.
If a caller asks you to pay a fee or share your Social Security number, credit card or bank account numbers over the phone, hang up.
The caller may say the victim's Social Security number has been connected to a criminal investigation or that their financial and personal information has been compromised. The goal is to convince the person that their money is in danger.
Claims that your Social Security number is suspended, compromised, or being reissued.
The caller sent a lengthy document to sign, instructed the consumer not to discuss it with anyone, and promised a new Social Security number.
These criminals will typically pressure you to act in some way. For example, they may say your Social Security number was "suspended" due to criminal activity, and that you must pay immediately to restore benefits.
Or they say your name and Social Security number are linked to crimes.
Claim there is a problem with your Social Security number, benefits, account, or identity.
Their goal is to trick you into calling and sharing personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details.
Sometimes the scammer will even know your Social Security number or fake the caller ID so that it looks like they are calling from the IRS or FTB.