I received 4 messages this morning saying my Social Security number was suspended.

[guillaumeb]

Last edited Tue Nov 20, 2018, 06:11 PM - Edit history (1)

It was the same message, with a caller identifying herself as "Marie Gomez", and saying my SS number has been suspended for "some reason".

She says that I can call [phone] as soon as possible.


Given that so many people voted for Trump, I forecast an excellent return on such scams.

edited to add: It is up to 4 messages.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The scammers are getting pretty creative.

SSNs are never "suspended." But there's a sucker born every minute, so...

[guillaumeb]

4. I answerered one such call from the "IRS" earlier this year.

I asked the caller if he was proud of lying to people on the telephone, an if his mother knew that he is a thief.

He literally starting screaming into the phone, and I said his mother would be ashamed of him before disconnecting.

[wryter2000]

26. I did that once

I called the "IRS" back and told the guy he should be ashamed of himself for running such a scam. He didn't respond. It was kind of cathartic. I may do it again some time.

[guillaumeb]

27. Yes, it does feel good.

But generally we screen and ignore.

[exboyfil]

2. I went high order

on one from "Microsoft" regarding my mom's computer. I told them to stop scaring people.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Also, SS doesn't email or phone. They actually send hardcopy letters. nt

[blaze]

10. SS emailed me after I signed up

And in that email (basic confirmation letter), they informed me that if they needed additional info (they did) they would either call or email me and that calls may be in the evenings or on the weekend.

In the follow up email they asked (paraphrased) :

Who provided your government funded retirement funds?
What was/is your retirement date?
What is your gross, monthly payment?

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Interesting. I would never give out my email or the like. Besides, email addresses change...

a lot (like cell phone numbers) so I tell everyone I don't have an email address or don't want to give out. Take care.

[guillaumeb]

5. Was it the "your key to Windows has expired" one?

We have heard that one many times.

[packman]

6. I got a phone call saying my prescriptions were "suspended"

so, for the hell of it, I phoned the call-back number and sure enuff they mentioned my meds (how they got them ????) - I do give all my docs a list. Said they could reinstate my meds , but needed my credit card # or bank routing number.

Yah - sure

[guillaumeb]

7. A friend received one where the "IRS" asked for payment in Itunes gift cards.

[MontanaMama]

8. We've gotten those same requests!!

Can you imagine paying a bill with iTunes gift cards??? I sick my 13 year old son on them. He's a master at wasting as much of their time as possible. That said...there must be many folks who do fall for this stuff or they wouldn't keep doing it.

[guillaumeb]

9. Agreed. If it was not successful, it would not be done. eom

[jberryhill]

28. "I sick my 13 year old son on them"

That is the best thing I've read all day.

[Flaleftist]

17. That's a strange one.

I'd guess either someone hacked a database or someone on the inside stole it. Insurance companies have that information.

[Scoopster]

12. I've been getting calls lately too..

They claim to be from Verizon Wireless to say that my cell phone account has been suspended. Yet my cellphone has never been shut off and I've never been late paying the bill. I've gotten 4 of these calls in the past month - the last one I managed to get a live operator but they hung up on me when I pressed them about who they REALLY are.

[guillaumeb]

13. Exactly. Ask them who they are.

[Chipper Chat]

14. I am glad I no longer get calls from "Rachel" with "Credit card Services"

I used to get 3 a day from "her."

[guillaumeb]

15. We still receive that one, and similar ones.

Imagine how many Trump voters are fooled by these scams.

[IcyPeas]

16. Me too. I posted a warning the other day. Be careful out there

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211440135

[TexasBushwhacker]

18. I've gotten several calls recently

From people saying that I inquired about getting Social Security Disability and they are "there to help".

Only one problem. I ALREADY GET IT!

So I cut them off and tell them "NO, I DID NOT INQUIRE ABOUT SSDI BECAUSE I ALREADY GET IT" and to take me off their call list. But I can just imagine how they would "start the application process" and all they would need is my name, DOB and SS number.

[guillaumeb]

20. Exactly. eom

[rurallib]

19. Suspended? Are you aging too fast?

Is Trump the cause?

[guillaumeb]

21. Not too fast because I saw through the nonsense.

[JimGinPA]

22. Whenever I Get A Scam Like That

I always ask the caller to spell their name for me so I'll be able to give the attorney general's office the correct information, as I have their number on my caller ID. They usually hang up quickly & I don't hear from them again.

[guillaumeb]

23. Scammers know that there is a large supply of gullible people.

Thus the proliferation of the calls.

[gratuitous]

24. I've taken to just hitting random buttons on the phone

After 15 seconds of loud beeps in their ear, even the hardiest assholes hang up. Then I go to my call log, block the number (an exercise in futility, I know) and erase all calls from that number.

[guillaumeb]

25. We screen and do not answer from unknown callers.

A few, this one among them, leave messages.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

29. That's actually sort of hilarious.

Social Security numbers do not get suspended.

[guillaumeb]

30. Reason must be suspended to beleive this type of scam.

And there are millions of Trump voters.