Telemarketer continues to call my 84-year-old mother saying she will lose benefits because claims have been made against her.
If she will provide her social security number they will stop the fraud. I have her social security card but she has her Medicare card with social security number.
She's not herself today, having lost HVAC a couple of days ago and stressed from no heat etc. I'm afraid she may have given them her social security number today.
Is there anything I can do? I'm so concerned about stolen identity, social security fraud and more.
Good luck. It's so terrible that there are such dishonest people in the world!
Don't worry, these calls come from India (often from Mumbai) and they have no merit other than try to give them information and money usually by buying a gift cards and giving them the gift card number.
DO NOT ENGAGE with these con artists, do not "confirm" your address or social security number or any other sensitive information.
I have several calls a month from "IRS", from "Social Security Administration" or from "Computer Repair", from "Medicare" etc.
The calls vary from solicitous to threatening. "You committed tax fraud! We will send police after you!" Yeah! Right!
I am sure you have more pressing problems in your life than to deal with fake calls.
Just remember - government agencies like SSA, IRS, Medicare will NEVER EVER call you if there is a problem. They will send you a letter if they need something from you.
I hear an immediate click on the phone! Hahaha 🤣
That her Social Security number should never be given to anyone who calls her. Only ever share it if SHE HERSELF has initiated the call and therefore knows who she's dealing with.
See if you can get her to ask for a return phone number when people call about Medicare or other private info. May or may not work if they sound believable to her. I hate those callers, too. Someone in the big scheme of things should be able to figure out how to id the real phone number of where the calls come from. And the US should not be leasing/renting/etc phone lines in the US to anyone outside our country without a LOT of credentials to prove who they are. -- There was a guy on the news who spends all his spare time talking to scammers and getting into their phone systems/computers and wiping off their files. I say kudos to him!!
Ring...
Answer....Caller, you're on the air! What's your name please?
Click...
Yahoo, works every time. 👋👋👋👏👏👏
Another fun one is the “granny call”. I’ve gotten several and if I have time I lead them on. Best way is if you get one ask immediately if it’s Joe or Mike or any name that isn’t one of your grandkids. If they say it is, let them tell their silly story, helping them with details if they need it. When you get tired of it, break the news to them that you don’t have a Joe or Mike, but be prepared because they’ll be real pissed off and call you names. Also beware the Microsoft account, automobile warranty and any calls asking for personal details. If your folks have email, Yikes! The scammers are going nuts there. The biggest is a “receipt for an online purchase” usually for $100. or so. The receipt says if you wish to cancel follow the submit button where you can unwittingly give them all the info they need. This is also being used fraudulently for your bank, Amazon, Apple.
Keep up with this stuff, read AARP fraud alerts, and remember, 'tis the season.
It’s robocalls, once you pick up they know that they have a live line and continue to call.
Maybe it would be helpful if we all knew whether or not Mom lives with you!
If you're not there with her, that may change the responses you're getting.
Hang in there!!