A Joshua Tree resident was the victim of a new scam hitting the Morongo Basin. Managing editor Tami Roleff warns residents not to believe callers who say they’re from the Social Security Administration…
“This is Jenna calling you from the head office of Social Security Administration.”
Dave Berry, 63, of North Joshua Tree said he received three phone calls like this one morning.
“Your Social Security number is compromised and used for illegal activities. It will be suspended today.”
The callers warned him what would happen if he didn’t respond to their calls.
“We will freeze your assets and forfeit it.”
He said he hadn’t had his coffee yet when he answered the third call. When the caller, this one a man, started asking him personal questions such as his date of birth, mother’s maiden name, where he was born, he answered them. It was only later that he realized the phone call was a scam. If you get a call like this, don’t give out any personal information. Hang up. Berry says he has Lifelock, so he feels confident that his information will be okay. Nevertheless, he contacted the Sheriff’s department, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Social Security Administration to let them know about the scam phone calls.
More information can be found at:
https://oig.ssa.gov/scams-involving-impersonation-ssa-employee
https://blog.ssa.gov/is-that-phone-call-from-us/
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/01/scammers-impersonate-social-security-administration
