Arkansas AG Office Warns About Social Security Phone Scams

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge made a stop at Hempstead Hall in Hope on Tuesday to warn seniors and others about several scams, with the main focus being Social Security scam.

Scammers make a living scheming up ways to steal people's social security numbers. Often they will call requesting an immediate payment and that the person's social security number has either been taken away or suspended. The scammer then threatens the person by telling them if they do comply they will be sent to jail.

Rutledge warned....

Never give out or confirm personal information, such as your Social Security number, to someone you don’t know. This is a scam. The Social Security administration is not going to call you and say that your number is not valid.

Attorney General Rutledge and the Federal Trade Commission suggest these tips and warning signs if someone calls claiming to have your personal information:

• Be cautious of callers using organization names similar to existing agencies
• Beware of spoof area codes. although it may seem the call is from the Social
• Security Office in Texarkana, Texas for example, it could originate from anywhere in the world.
• If the caller contacting you says,"I am Agent So and So with the Social Security Administration..." Hang up. They don't have agents.
  

For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.