The Social Security Administration scam calls are hitting DFW hard again. Multiple reports from senior living communities in Richardson, Garland, and Mesquite.
The scam:
- Robocall says your SSN has been "suspended" due to suspicious activity
- Press 1 to speak with an "agent"
- They claim warrants have been issued for your arrest
- They demand payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or Bitcoin
- Some versions ask for your SSN to "verify your identity"
Reality:
- The SSA will NEVER call you unsolicited about your number being suspended
- SSNs cannot be "suspended"
- No government agency accepts gift card payment
- If you owe the SSA, they send letters via USPS
What to do:
- Hang up immediately
- Report to SSA OIG: oig.ssa.gov/report
- Report to FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- If you gave out your SSN, call the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213
Source: SSA Office of Inspector General, FTC scam tracker data
Please share this with elderly family members. These calls are devastating — one Richardson resident lost $15,000 in gift cards.
My grandmother in Mesquite fell for this last year. She bought $5,000 in Target gift cards and read the numbers over the phone. Devastating.