Sheriff warns of scam involving social security calls

>> IS AN ANNOYANCE, BUT IT’S MORE THAN THAT. BEAU: ROBOCALLS AND IMPOSTER SCAMS IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON COMPLAINT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE RECEIVES. >> A LOT OF THESE ROBO CALLS ARE SCAMMERS AND THEY ARE TAKING REVENGE OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE CONFUSED. BEAU: AND THE SCAMS ARE GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO DETECT. ONE OF THEM SCAMMING IOWANS RIGHT NOW IS ABLE TO USE A PHONE NUMBER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. THE SCAMMERS ARE IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS THE IOWA STATE POLICE AND TELLING PEOPLE THERE IS A WARRANT OUT FOR THEIR ARREST. MOST PEOPLE JUST HANG UP. BUT THAT’S NOT WHERE THE SCAM STOPS. >> THEY WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND ACTUALLY SHOW 911 ON THE CALLER ID. BEAU: THEY ASK THE VICTIMS TO WIRE THEM MONEY USING AN ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM LIKE GOOGLE PLAY AND DON’T GIVE MANY SPECIFICS. >> AFTERNOON FOR THEIR NAME, THEIR BADGE NUMBER, ASK FOR A SUPERVISOR, OR SIMPLY JUST HANG UP. >> IOWA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL, TOM MILLER, SIGNED A LETTER TO THE FCC ALONG WITH 41 OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL URGING THE FCC TO CRACK DOWN ON ROBOCALLERS. >> IS JUST ONE STEP OF MANY THAT WE WANT THEM TO ADOPT, TO PUT A STOP TO THESE. BEAU: THEY SAY THE NUMBER OF ROBOCALLS AND FINANCIAL LOSSES RELATED TO THOSE CALLS HAS INCREASED BY 50% OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. >> A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THREATENS YOU OVER THE PHONE, THAT’S A RED FLAG. BEAU: THEY SAY TO NEVER TRUST A CALLER CLAIMING TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT ASKING FOR MONEY, ASKING FOR GOOGLE PLAY OR ITUNES CARDS OR DEMANDING THAT YOU ACT TODAY. >> IF SOME

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a new scam involving social security numbers.In a release, officials said, "Several people have reported that they are receiving phone calls informing them that their social security number has been suspended. The caller states this situation can be fixed by providing some personal information, such as your date of birth or confirming your social security number."According to the Sheriff's Office, this is a scam. "The Polk County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind people to be cautious who they talk to and never blindly give personal information or money to anyone."The Social Security Office advises that if anyone has fallen victim of this scam that it can be reported to the Social Security Inspector General.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a new scam involving social security numbers.

In a release, officials said, "Several people have reported that they are receiving phone calls informing them that their social security number has been suspended. The caller states this situation can be fixed by providing some personal information, such as your date of birth or confirming your social security number."

According to the Sheriff's Office, this is a scam.

"The Polk County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind people to be cautious who they talk to and never blindly give personal information or money to anyone."

The Social Security Office advises that if anyone has fallen victim of this scam that it can be reported to the Social Security Inspector General.

Sheriff warns of scam involving social security calls

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