This is The Social Security Office Calling

Have you heard of anyone being duped by a scammer? Well, it happens all the time. Here’s an example:

I received a phone call with a familiar voice on the other end of the line. I knew this person from their voice, but she sounded different. She sounded upset and said, “I don’t want to get you into trouble.” After coaxing her to tell me more she said when she answered the phone a while back a person identified himself as an FBI agent. She was told she was in trouble. They found her Social Security number in a truck that was stolen with drugs. She was told that if she told anyone they would be in trouble also.

Now, I can hear you say to yourself that this would never happen to me.

Listen, I too have said this. The thing is, scammers know the right words to use, the right tone, and in the example above, they knew what would hit her buttons into believing them.

This woman, single in her mid-60s, complied with his request and ended up handing over several thousand dollars of gift cards thinking this would prevent her from getting into trouble.

The elaborate scheme involved another person phoning her and claiming to be a police department after the first person stated that he was phoning the police to let her know that the police was the FBI back up.

Scared and alone, she did not know what to do except to comply. Especially since this person has limited income or ability to replace any income lost. Afterward, she was embarrassed and ashamed for falling for something like this.

There are several ways that thieves attempt to separate you from your money, and often gift cards are the vehicle of choice for scammers. They can redeem the gift cards and buy other gift cards, which become untraceable.