An area law-enforcement agency is alerting residents of scam attempts.
The Boonville Police Department says it received information from a citizen who reported receiving two telephone calls from persons purporting to be employees of the Social Security Administration. The number was a local number. This is a spam number and can be generated anywhere in the world. Authorities you to don’t be fooled If the number appears to be local.
The Social Security Administration has this alert posted on its website.
You are urged to follow some suggestions:
Be on the lookout for fake calls, texts and e-mails as scammers are pretending to be government employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) may call you in some situations but will never:
• Threaten you;
• Suspend your Social Security Number;
• Demand an immediate payment from you;
• Require payment by cash, gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer; and/or
• Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash.
The SSA may e-mail or text you about programs and services, but will never ask for a return call to an unknown number. The SSA only sends e-mails or text messages if you have opted in to receive them and only in limited situations, including:
• When you have subscribed with the SSA to receive updates and notifications by text or e-mail; and/or
• As part of the SSA’s enhanced security when accessing your personal Social Security account.
If you receive a suspicious call, text or e-mail authorities advise you to:
1. Hang up;
2. Do not return unknown calls, texts or e-mails;
3. Do not give money or personal information; and
4. Report the scam to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
If you receive a call, text or e-mail that you believe to be suspicious about a problem with your Social Security Number or account, do not respond or engage with the caller or sender. You are urged to report Social Security phone, e-mail and text scams through a dedicated online form.
What to look for:
• The caller or sender says there is a problem with your Social Security Number or account.
• Any call, text, or e-mail asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, internet currency or by mailing cash.
• Scammers pretend they are from Social Security or another government agency. Caller ID, texts or documents sent by e-mail may look official but they are not.
• Callers threaten you with arrest or other legal action.
Protect yourself, friends, and family:
• If you receive a questionable call, hang up and report it at oig.ssa.gov.
• Do not return unknown calls, e-mails or texts.
• Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
• Do not be embarrassed to report if you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss.
• Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam.
• Share this information with others.