I got a phone call the other day from an officer from Social Security. She provided me with her name, badge number, and case number. She told me that my identity was stolen in the state of Texas.
“Umm… okay,” I said. “So what should I do about it?”
“This is very serious,” she said. “Your name and social are affiliated with money laundering, drug trafficking, and more.”
I was skeptical. But listened.
Series of Questions
She asked me a series of questions:
- Have you been to the state of Texas?
- Have you recently used a credit card?
- What’s the name of your firstborn? (No, she didn’t ask that but I threw it in to see if you were listening.)
Then, she asked me what the last four digits of my social were. That’s when I stopped.
I realized that if she was from social security, she would know what my number was. When I said that, she said, “I’m only seeking the last four digits of the number.”
When I told her to tell me what they were and I would confirm, she refused to do so.
That’s when I hung up.
It is so easy to be scammed today. Please be careful on both social media and on your cell phone!
Here are some tips that I gathered from the Internet:
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Block unwanted calls and text messages — Many scams start with unsolicited contact. Use your phone’s settings or install a third-party app to block calls and messages from unknown numbers.
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Never Wire Money or Send Gift Cards
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Think Before You Act — If a message or call seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. Always take the time to verify information before acting.
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Don’t Share Sensitive Information — Avoid sending PINs, credit card numbers (including the last four digits), passwords, or personal/financial information through text or email.
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Hang Up on Cold Callers
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Do Your Research — Before engaging in any transactions, make sure you research the company or individual to ensure their legitimacy.
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Resist Pressure to Act Quickly — Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push you into making hasty decisions. Take your time to consider the situation. I was recently in this situation where a scammer told me that the price to print my book would be X and I needed to act today in order to get that price.
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Pay Safely — Whenever possible, use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards, and avoid Paypal or Venmo if you do not know the person.
Remember, vigilance is key in preventing scams. Always stay skeptical of unsolicited contacts and too-good-to-be-true offers.
