FLORIDA KEYS, June 19, 2020 – A Key West man has reported that this week he received a robo-call purportedly from the Social Security Administration telling him his Social Security account “has been compromised.” It asked him to press 1 for details.
The man correctly saw this was a scam seeking his personal information and immediately hung up. That was the correct course of action.
“If you receive a call, text or email that you believe to be suspicious about a problem with your Social Security number or account, do not engage with the caller or sender,” the Social Security Administration says.
Scammers pretend they are from Social Security or another government agency. Caller ID, texts or documents sent by email may look official but they are not.
Social Security may call you in some situations but will never threaten you; suspend your Social Security number; demand an immediate payment from you; or require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.
Social Security may email or text you about programs and services, but will never ask for a return call to an unknown number. Social Security only sends emails or text messages if you have opted in to receive them and only in limited situations, including when you have subscribed with Social Security to receive updates and notifications by text or email, or as part of Social Security’s enhanced security when accessing your personal account.
Report any suspicious activity to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General.