Medford Residents Targeted In Social Security Scam

MEDFORD, MA — Police are issuing a warning to residents after receiving reports of an uptick in phone scams. Residents have been told that their Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity or because it was involved in a crime, police said.

The caller will ask you to confirm your Social Security number and warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, according to police. In order to protect it, the caller will ask you to put money on gift cards and provide the gift card codes over the phone or ask you for your credit card number.

In a recent case, the caller said the money had to be moved to a different bank account.

"Remember the Social Security Administration does not operate like this," Medford police said in a statement. "Also be aware of IRS scams that operate in the same manner. Never give any personal information out to anyone on the phone."

Residents should never commit to send money based on a phone call, police said. Anyone with questions should call the Medford Police Department at 781-395-1212.