FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 11, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE – CALLS CLAIMING TO BE THE SSA
Scammers pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity or being involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it or will ask for money or gift cards to keep your SSN or bank account safe.
According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs…
· 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.
· The real SSA number is 1-800-772-1213, but scammers are putting that number in the caller ID. If you’re worried about what the caller says, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA.
· The local Social Security office (in Poughkeepsie) can be reached at 1-877-405-6747.
Consumer Affairs can be reached at 845-340-3260.