Increase In Fraudulent Phone Calls Reported In Area

Police in Fairfield County are warning residents of an increase in fraudulent phone calls from people claiming to be from the Social Security Administration.

The Social Security Administration is warning residents of recent fake calls demanding money or information.
Photo Credit: *Provided/ Eversource CT*

Kathy Reakes

01/26/2019 11:00 a.m.

The caller threatens legal action if the person answering the phone doesn't comply with their demands.

SSA employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up.

Officials with the agency said they have recent reports have indicated that the callers are using increasingly threatening language in these calls. The callers state, due to improper or illegal activity with a citizen’s Social Security number (SSN) or account, a citizen will be arrested or face other legal action if they fail to call a provided phone number to address the issue.

" This is a scam; citizens should not engage with these calls or provide any personal information," the Monroe Police Department said.

The Acting Inspector General urges citizens to be extremely cautious and to avoid providing information such as your SSN or bank account numbers to unknown people over the phone or internet unless you are certain of who is receiving it.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, you should report the call at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.