Beware newest phone scam: Social Security

#Middlebury #Seniors

If you see the number 1-800-772-1213 on your Caller ID, beware. Social Security has put out a warning about scams involving spoofed phone numbers. Scammers can make any numbers they want appear, even the number for the Social Security Administration!

Social Security is not likely to call you. They certainly won’t call you and ask you to verify your number (especially the new number on the card you were recently sent), or the bank where your automatic deposit is sent, or any other personal information. Social Security won’t call and threaten to take away your benefit if you don’t answer their questions, or tell you they can help get your benefits increased. If you get one of these calls, hang up and report it at the Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.

But there’s more. The newest phone scam trick is to make your caller I.D. look like the call is from someone in your town, with state and local area codes. While you might be suspicious of out-of-country area codes or calls from out of state, you’re more likely to pick up the phone if you think it might be one of your neighbors. This is what the scammers count on.

If you do pick up one of these calls, or any number you don’t recognize, the most important thing to remember is to never say “yes.” Your voice is being recorded, and if you answer “yes” to any question, scammers will use that as verification that you want to sign for whatever it is they’re peddling.

Instead of answering any of their questions, ask your own questions. Ask who is calling, ask where they got your number … or better yet, just hang up without saying a word.

© 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.