HARTFORD, Ky. — The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about two scams going around the area. One involves a more hands on scammer and the other involves a phone call about a “suspended” social security card.
The first scam the Sheriff’s Office wants you to look out for involves men stopping at residences asking to paint a garage or barn for the homeowner. The possible vehicles driven by the men are a grey Toyota Tundra or a grey Chevy Silverado. Both or one of the vehicles have an Alabama or South Carolina license plate.
If you come into contact with these men, call the Ohio County Dispatch at 270-298-4411.
The other scam the OCSO wants you to know about involves a phone call from scammers who call and say your social security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity or it has been involved in a crime.
Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. Sometimes, he’ll say your bank account is about to be seized, but he’ll tell you what to do to keep it safe. Often, that involves putting your money on gift cards and giving him the codes, which, of course, means your money is gone.
Your caller ID will often show the real SSA phone number, which is 1-800-772-1213, when these scammers call, but they’re faking the number. It’s not the real SSA calling.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, here’s what to know:
- Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. You don’t have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
- SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.
- The real SSA number is 1-800-772-1213, but scammers are putting that number in the caller ID. If you’re worried about what the caller says, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA.
- Even if the wait time is long, confirm with the real SSA before responding to one of these calls.
- Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.
If you get one of these calls, tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.