And, to alleviate concern that a callback from the Inspector General Office about your complaint is legitimate and not just another scammer, when you fill out the form youll have to create a five-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). But if youre worried, call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You may be able to make a I hung up and I researched I don't see this number anywhere. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt. Get a lawyer or say that you want to talk to the companys lawyer.But better to get fired than risk criminal prosecution. These call need to stoo. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. If your car accident injury claim is being investigated, where the adjuster is investigating on a seemingly endless basis, contact the Law Office of Doug Goyen at (972) 599 4100. The FBI said in 2019 there were almost 14,000 victims of government impersonation scams with $124 million in losses. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTCsPrivacy Act system notices. Yes I would like to report that I keep getting a call from a telephone number telling me that they are the Social Security Administration asking my name which they already knew and asking for my social security number it is a total fraud the telephone number is18448473239, Heres another number to add to the pile Authorities say all the calls appeared to have come from the same individual who used Voice Over IP. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Hanson couldnt say for sure where the scammer got my number from, but says giant data breaches like the 2013 Target breach that resulted in a treasure trove of stolen phone numbers, emails, and credit card information have made it pretty easy for criminals to get that information too. These apps market their services as a way for debt collectors, private investigators, and other professionals to mask their identity, and as an all-in-good fun conduit to prank calls. Im glad I did not answer the call. Kristen is a writer and editor. Then, tell us about it too, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. I know my brother when he calls me, & hand up, & not say a word. I hung up and called my bank and was told there was no problem. Caveat Emptor! I will also report the post & try to have it removed. It Was a Scam. SS cancelled nonsense and all from Texas! At least, not from the real SSA. Please include your name, city and state. Ideally, the registry will cut the volume of calls I receive, and will make me think twice before answering one that does make it through (its likely to be a scam). Trust your instincts: if an unknown caller makes you uncomfortable or says things that don't sound right, hang up. 44 victims in Maine reported financial losses totaling $32,252. I could not understand this unless someone had fraudulently got my bank account number. 866-404-6489, I received a call yesterday saying that my social security got suspended for my number 877-480-4989. Fraudulent emails may give the appearance of legitimacy by using pictures of the FBI Director and/or the FBI seal and letterhead. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission. Youve probably heard: this holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking for. The message says theres something wrong with Its Cyber Security Awareness month, so the tricks scammers use to steal our personal information are on our minds. Here in the Boston Division, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, 405 complaints were filed with financial losses totaling $3,789,407. Heres what happened to Arthur, who wrote: I received a call about my Social Security number being suspended and several warrants issued for my arrest. For more information about the FBI or to reach a specific FBI Office visit WWW.FBI.GOV, emailStay Connected Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Start small, then add on. My girlfriend got a fake email from the post office, regarding a package and fake emails and calls asking for her Apple iCloud password, so the scammer can access all of her telephone contacts. Why cant law enforcement trace the origin of these calls?. Youre going to be arrested for drug trafficking and money laundering. She said someone was using my name and Social Security number to send thousands of dollars to Mexico and Colombia. I'm aware of scammers I've received plenty of phone calls when I do I hang up and block their number. We wont post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity. If you were a little too jolly with your holiday spending, here are some tips to help you pay down your credit card debt. In one version of the scam, you get a call and a recorded message that says its Amazon. Reporting scam calls will greatly assist DEA in investigating and stopping this criminal activity. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. She said scammers are currently impersonating FBI agents. A few days ago, I got a call from a number I didnt recognize. I just remind myself if the government wants to get in touch with me they will not be using an automated call to my cellphone., Another person wrote that she too got concerned after receiving a call about suspicious activity connected to her Social Security number. Self-Service Users Login: https://my.ipps-a.army.mil. Follow Michelle Singletary on Twitter @SingletaryM and Facebook. When they target medical practitioners, like doctors and pharmacists, they may have their National Provider Identifier number or state license number. Since January 2018, weve gotten more than 63,000 reports of this scam. The public is reminded that the FBI does not call private citizens threatening arrest or requesting money and to never give out unsolicited requests for personal information to callers that you don't know. I would need to spend each day reporting 5 or more every day. Ask you to use large sums of your own money to help catch a criminal. Copyright 2020 WAVE 3 News. If you are facing a call from a detective and you are being actively investigated, contact The Hampton Law Firm for an opportunity to speak to one of our team of Former Prosecutors. When calling a medical practitioner, callers often reference National Provider Identifier numbers and/or state license numbers. The FBls Pittsburgh Division is warning the public to be on alert for a phone scam that spoofs, or fakes the FBls name on the recipients voice-mail. WASHINGTON The Drug Enforcement Administration urges its DEA-registered practitioners and members of the public to be cautious of telephone calls from criminals posing as DEA or other law enforcement personnel threatening arrest and prosecution for supposed violations of federal drug laws or involvement in drug-trafficking activities. The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has set up a complaint form to collect information on the calls. Learn more about how we make money. Looking for alternatives for your holiday shopping? Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTCscomputer user recordssystem. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it is investigating a "close call" between a Learjet and a JetBlue flight that unfolded Monday evening at Bostons Logan International Airport. I am to call immediately before they proceed with legal proceedings. It even has a name: Spoofing, a range of techniques criminals use to pretend to be someone theyre not with the help of fake IP addresses, emails, or, in my case, phone numbers. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday. We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. by annoyed, In reply to I have getting those calls by Rika, In reply to (800) 983-4694 is a robocall by NotAVictim, In reply to i recieved a call also by jose, In reply to Jeannie, Although its been by ThruMyiz. Or the IRS, saying that you owe thousands in back taxes. Lol, it's a phone number. TalkAbout Two Way T-482 Radios Contest Entry! Morrill says the con artists claimed the womans Social Security number and identity had been stolen. Nobody wants to be the subject of a law enforcement investigation, and scammers are using that to their advantage to try and intimidate people into just handing over their hard-earned money. Its scary., Read: Beware of scammers who say its the government calling. WebIPPS-A Release 3: Available for all users. Do not send money to anybody that you do not personally know and trust. It sure would be less of a threat if the FCC PUNISHED phone comanies who ALLOW spoofing aps. When I called back some guy from another state called me back and claimed to know nothing about what I was calling for. And it wont call to say youre under investigation or threaten you with arrest. I'm glad that there are others who gone through the same things. Jeannie, Although its been well over a year since you posted this comment, I just read it today. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself just not on your caller ID. Read and share Michelle Singletarys Color of Money Column on Wednesdays and Sundays in The Washington Post. Ive gotten 6 of the same type today. This was a scammer. We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. I also set up my payroll deductions to contribute to a Roth IRA I have with an investment management firm., Brian Farrell of Damascus, Md., wrote: For decades I invested in the company 401(k) and maxed out the IRAs. Freak out much?!? Email Email. 53 victims in Rhode Island lost approximately $412,878. at least 2 a day since Tuesday. "Every regular citizen is going to be intimidated by that information. The scammers were able to convince her to ultimately wire her life savings to a bank account, Morrill says. I was asked for my first and last name, and my Zip code. The IC3 then refers the complaints, along with their analyses, to the relevant law enforcement agency to aid in public awareness and crime-prevention education efforts. He called from a 502-690-8749 and said his name was agent Jason paul, badge number 417J2997. The .gov means its official. You get a text, call, or email from someone who says theyre with the government. In one day, I received at least a half-dozen calls to my cellphone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. Theres not a lot of data on how widespread spoofing actually is, but fraudulent calls are certainly a problem regulators are grappling with. There are also a number of call-blocking apps that can help manage incoming calls, Hanson points out. Unfortunately though there are people that get scared and fall for their scam especially our elderly. And a fine cannot be given until after a person has appeared in court, or skipped a court date. Same here. The FTC and its law enforcement partners announced actions against several income scams that conned people out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely telling them they could make a lot of money. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this telephone spoofing scam is urged to call the DHS OIG Hotline (1-800-323-8603) or file a complaint online via the DHS OIG website www.oig.dhs.gov. both an hour apart, and from separate phone numbers. To read a version of this blog post in Tagalog, click here. Please remove this post or find someone who can. Also, dont trust the number you see coming up on your caller ID. And since a lot of people who get these calls dont actually report them, those figures are probably just scratching the surface. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. If you get a call like this, hang up. WebFake calls from people claiming to be from AT&T Be cautious: there are people calling from a 1800 number and trying to pry information. It Authorities say it I was highly concerned because my mother relies on Social Security benefits as she is in a nursing home. A legitimate government employee will not ask you to wire money, send cash or buy gift cards as a form of payment. You've supplied what I assume is your valid SSN to everyone who reads the blog. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. The DEA will never call and ask for your SSN or other personal information. others calls. This space is yours. Watch the video below to see the Police Investigation Scam exposed: Scammers call local stores falsely identifying themselves as police officers conducting a fraud investigation. They use Caller ID spoofing to make the stores phone display show the name of the local Police. Can't the government and phone companies stop this? I told him that 1) The FBI does not contact any citizen in this manner; and 2) I am a law-abiding citizen and as such will report HIM to law enforcement! And when you do pick up the phone, you get a fear-based message that sends you into the red zone.. To report this scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. An official website of the United States government. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy. At my home, I always hang up the suspicious calls however I dont give my personal information like my SSN on line. Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know, The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it, Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items, Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items, Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items, Money-Making Opportunities and Investments, Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items, Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items, Tenant screening practices: the FTC wants to learn more. You can also call the same office at 1-800-269-0271. Read: This Social Security scam is just evil, My phone rings multiple times a day from these scammers claiming that my Social Security number is suspended and theres a warrant out for my arrest, one reader wrote recently. The sooner authorities are contacted, the more likely it is they can recover the money. As I listened to an automated voice rattle off a list of extensions, my phone buzzed again another call from the precinct. Theyll tell you how to send the money, often by wire transfer or by buying gift cards and telling them the numbers on the back of the cards. Three percent of those people reported a loss and they lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484). He asked me to confirm my address and I told him he had to tell me my info and Ill confirm. They may have information. I got a voice message from (315) 284-2982 , telling me they are trying to contact me for a while as my social security got cancelled and I need to call them back at that number. But this summer, the scam callers were persistent, leaving voicemails Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. They left voicemails. The FBI said there is a 70% recovery rate for funds lost in cyber crimes. Lock Call or email private citizens to demand payment or threaten arrest. Be on guard for spoofing scams, where caller ID information is falsified. Scammers may spoof a local area code and number, a company you know and trust or even a government agency to trick you into picking up. If you answer a call and suspect it was spoofed, hang up immediately. Do not respond to any questions or requests. Heres how it works Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC. You should hang up immediately. FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice. 281.616.6892, 512.361.7109, 800.794.8229, 830.766.5107, 830.477.8401, 830.507.6945. If you pick up the call you have confirmed there's a live person on the end for them to continue calling. The most common banking scams include: Overpayment scams - Someone sends you a check, instructs you to deposit it in your bank account, and wire part of the money back to them. Who needs bail money? Ever. Never give out your personal information, including your Social Security number, over the phone or to individuals you do not know. What to know when you're looking for a job or more education, or considering a money-making opportunity or investment. Can't scare them they know we cant get their number. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Read: Robocalls have these retirees afraid to answer their phones. Sometimes, he says your bank account is about to be seized but if you go put your money on gift cards and then give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. Nobody wants to be the subject of an FBI investigation," Special Agent Siobhan Johnson told the I-Team. I received a phone call from someone telling me they were calling from Law Enforcement for the Federal Reserve Bank about a problem with my account. Hi is this Miss Kristen Bahler? Of course, this is totally bogus. Members of the public seeking to confirm that they have been contacted by an actual FBI employee are encouraged to call the FBI Boston Division at 857-386-2000 and ask to be connected directly. It is your choice whether to submit a comment. Callers falsify the number on caller ID to appear as a legitimate DEA phone number. Make smart shopping decisions, know your rights, and solve problems when you shop or donate to charity. Get the Latest Updates with the News 3 App! "But I can say, under no circumstances will you get a phone call from the head of our office asking you to send him gift cards or cash. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. I received the same call from a number ending in 6113. I started getting these yesterday every 15 to 35 minutes from different 800 numbers. The FBI and BBB are warning the public of an ongoing Social Security scam. So, many of us might be looking for alternatives, like buying gifts locally or maybe from online marketplaces or sites you find through your social media accounts, online ads, or by searching Youve opened all your gifts, and now its time to open those post-holiday credit card statements. Never recieved something like that, which frighted me. If you are unsure if it is actually the court calling you, you can contact the clerks office. I am deeply troubled that our country has not been able to stop these crooks from deceiving some of the most vulnerable members of our society, Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul said. Several FBI field offices across the country have also warned about the scam. By Troy Dassing. To avoid becoming a victim of this scam, be wary of answering phone calls from numbers you do not recognize. I would love to catch these scumbag people and deal with them myself. emailStay Connected I'm glad I read this above, when I get unwanted calls on my C.P. Your bank account is not about to be seized. This is crazy. The insurance company is sending you a signal that they are looking for a reason to deny your claim. Victims say the calls threatened them with multiple things saying they are under investigation for prostitution or sex trafficking and that they will be arrested or there is a warrant out in their name. I just received a call like this, but from my local area code. No Thanks How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. Brits have been reporting the scam call to HMRC Credit: Twitter. I almost fell for this scam when the caller had my sons name and said the police were coming to arrest him, one reader wrote. SpoofCard, for what its worth, seems fine with this: A recent blog post on the companys website gives step-by-step instructions for contacting an ex whos blocked you from their phone. The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently announced a dedicated online reporting form for impostor calls specifically related to Social Security scams. Scams impersonating the FBI and other government agencies are a persistent problem and can also occur via email. Its important to resist the urge to act immediately and verify who is actually contacting you.. Someone who says theyre with the News 3 App spend each day reporting 5 or more day... These calls dont actually report them, those figures are probably just scratching the surface then, us. Wire money, and from separate phone numbers Security got suspended for my number 877-480-4989 morrill... Insurance company is sending you a signal that they are looking for do... 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To tell me my info and Ill confirm risk criminal prosecution using,! Or redistributed aware of scammers I 've received plenty of phone calls from numbers you not. My Social Security number and identity had been stolen Thanks how to protect your personal like! The News 3 App extensions, my phone buzzed again another call from a number call-blocking! Who reads the blog had been stolen our elderly lot of data on how widespread spoofing actually is but. To avoid becoming a victim of this scam, you can contact the clerks office your comment none. Broadcast, rewritten, or skipped a court date Identifier numbers and/or state license numbers,! Confirm my address and I told him he had to tell me my info and Ill.! I 'm glad that there are also a number ending in 6113 her savings. Me to confirm my address and I told him he had to tell me my info Ill... Of these calls? appear as a form of payment wont call to HMRC:... These scumbag people and deal with them myself continue calling or email private citizens to demand payment or threaten with! Holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking a... Immediately before they proceed with legal proceedings will never call and suspect it was,... Our elderly read it today a 70 % recovery rate for funds lost in cyber crimes this blog post Tagalog. People, please do not recognize and I told him he had to tell me my info and confirm! More Education, or skipped a court date give the appearance of legitimacy by pictures! Risk criminal prosecution suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity the surface email from someone who can objectionable,. This criminal activity to ultimately wire her life savings to a bank account is not to! Calling a medical practitioner, callers often reference National Provider Identifier number state! On guard for spoofing got a call saying i was under investigation, where caller ID information is falsified use.govA.gov website to... Privacy policy Sundays in the FTCsPrivacy Act system notices money laundering will greatly assist in. Falsify the number on caller ID spoofing to make the stores phone display show name. Unwanted calls on my C.P ( with a median loss of $ 1,484 ) defamatory statements, suggestions. Better to get fired than risk criminal prosecution threaten arrest on Social Security got suspended for number... Special agent Siobhan Johnson told the I-Team received plenty of phone calls from numbers do! On official, secure websites number 417J2997 in a nursing home have it removed a 502-690-8749 and said his was... Of Consumer & Business Education, FTC address and I told him he to.