FAKE Social Security phishing scam

[Ace-Garageguy]

 THIS NUMBER  (972) 497-1400  shows up on caller ID as "American Voice".

it appears as though it may be a spoofed number that the real SSA uses to remind clients of interviews.

They purport to be calling from the SSA, and even go so far as to leave the REAL 1-800 SSA number for callback.

Many people are being fooled into believing it really IS the SSA because they leave a real SSA callback number. All they're doing is covering their tracks and making the thing seem believable.

HOWEVER...it's phony, and if you actually ANSWER the call from  (972) 497-1400  they'll pump you for identity theft information.

Don't be stupid.

If you get a call from "Social Security" and they ask you for ANY INFORMATION, hang up. Call THEM on their REAL number to verify anything you need to, or do it online.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[cobraman]

Thanks for the heads up. There is no end to the tricks these scammers use to cheat people out of their hard earned money.

[espo]

I have had a few using the rues that "this is my last chance before the IRS is going to sue". I don't answer any calls on my cell or land line if I don't recognize the number on the caller ID. If it doesn't show the name of the person or company, doctor or what ever I just don't bother answering. If they leave a message and I think it's legit I can call back. I'm home most of the day and it's hard to believe how many calls I get from unknown 800 numbers or no caller ID at all.   

[Ace-Garageguy]

I don't answer any calls on my cell or land line if I don't recognize the number on the caller ID. If it doesn't show the name of the person or company, doctor or what ever I just don't bother answering. 

BUT...you have to remember that there's now "number spoofing" where a little black box makes it look as though the originating number IS legitimate, and can even put a fake name in the caller ID window.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY WARY.

One of the recent ones showed MY OWN NAME AND NUMBER in the ID window. 

Pretty damm unlikely I'm calling myself from an alternate reality, and they're banking on people picking up just to see what the frig is going on.

Number and ID spoofing can put up a completely legitimate number and name you recognize or have done business with and trust...and before you know it, you've given out a SS# or a credit card number or a shipping address or some other bit of info that will ultimately be used to steal from you.

BE VERY WARY of ANY CALLS NOW.

And hey...ain't it great what our Federal Communications Commission and the FBI are doing to get rid of these scum?  

[Mike C]

I once had a call that spoofed my own number in the caller ID. I didn't answer it. What were they trying to do, make it look like I was calling myself?

Anyway, Social Security would never call you up. The would notify you in the mail.

[peteski]

It's easy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caller_ID_spoofing