ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — The Douglas County Sheriff is warning residents there and elsewhere in Minnesota about a telephone scam designed to access personal information and money.
A number of residents have called the sheriff's office reporting that they've received calls from someone claiming to be with the Social Security Office telling them their social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity.
The sheriff's office reminds residents that the Social Security Administration will never:
- Call and threaten arrest or legal action if you do not immediately pay a debt, fine or fee.
- Tell you your Social Security number has been suspended, or offer to increase benefits or resolve identity theft problems in exchange for payment.
- Require payment via retail gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency like Bitcoin, or by mailing cash.
- Demand secrecy in handling a Social Security-related problem or tell you to make up a story to tell friends, family or store/bank employees.
- Send an unsolicited text to tell you about a problem with your social security number or benefits.
- Email you documents containing your personally identifiable information.
If you receive a call that feels suspicious, the sheriff reminds you to hang up immediately. Do not pass on personal information or money, and report what happened to local law enforcement or the Social Security Administration.
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