Do you live in Alabama? Have you received a call from 1-718-666-3461? Beware when picking up, it’s very likely a scam.
Police have received reports of bogus calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration with a New York telephone number. According to the sheriff’s department, then automated message claims to be from an “Agent Jones” from the SSA and threatens the caller with legal action if you don’t return the call.
According to reports, the scammers will say the recipient’s Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity (how ironic!) or the scammer asks the individual to confirm their number so that it can be “reactivated.”
These bogus calls are part of a growing scam where people pretend to be from the Social Security Administration to get your Social Security number or financial information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the commission received over 35,000 reports of phony SSA calls in 2018 with losses reaching up to a staggering $10 million.
If you do receive one of these suspicious calls, stay vigilant and remember:
-The SSA will never call with threats of arrest, or tell you send money.
-Don’t give your Social Security number to anyone who calls you. If in doubt, call the real SSA (1-800-772-1213), confirm with a real SSA agent before responding to one of these calls.
If you have received one of these calls recently, remember to file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint.