Social Security Phone Scams Deluge Clarkstown Thursday

NEW CITY, NY — Clarkstown police were deluged with phone calls from residents Thursday. They were all calling because they had just gotten phone calls from someone purporting to be a Social Security official, threatening to suspend their account if they didn't send money.

The phone scammers' robocall computer program must have hit a bunch of 845 area codes in sequence.

This scam is similar to another Social Security scam that's been going around with a message that there's been suspicious activity on your Social Security account so please press 1 to learn more.

Scammers are very sophisticated and they know how to take advantage of caller ID, just as they know how to steal an acquaintance's email address and send you an email saying their wallet was stolen while they were traveling and could you please help send money. Just as they know how to pretend to be from O&R about to cut off your electricity, or from the IRS about to take you to court.

SEE: Off-Duty O&R Employee Thwarts Phone Scam

None of these agencies ever will ask you for money over the phone. None.

Calling the police is a good idea when you get a call like this because it have a result like this:

In addition, you should file complaints elsewhere. The federal government website called Common Scams and Frauds offers these resources and tips:

• Report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission, either online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. This is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints.
• Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry.
• Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission either online or by phone at 1-888-225-5322.
Also report the scam to your state consumer protection office. Some consumer protection offices help residents resolve consumer problems.

Do

• Register your phone number with the Do Not Call Registry. Calls after you're on it are likely scams.
• Be wary of callers claiming that you’ve won a prize or vacation package.
• Hang up on suspicious phone calls.
• Be cautious of caller ID. Scammers can change the phone number that shows up on your caller ID screen. This is called “spoofing.”
• Research business opportunities, charities, or travel packages separately from the information the caller has provided.

Don’t

• Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.
• Don’t say anything if a caller starts the call asking, “Can you hear me?” This is a common tactic for scammers to record you saying “yes.” Scammers record your “yes” response to use as proof that you agreed to a purchase or credit card charge.
• Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
• Don’t send money if the caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.