Cherokee County residents need to be aware of yet another scam that’s hitting the area.  In this one con artists are trying to convince people that their social security number has been “suspended” – whatever THAT means. 

The calls have been reported as coming from the number 1-972-914-5987.  A quick Google search revealed that the same number is associated with the very same con, not just here, but across the U.S.  It’s just another scam.  They’re fishing for personal, private information they can use to rip you off.  If the caller leaves a message don’t return it.  If the caller does happen to get you on the line, hang up immediately.

The Social Security Administration is like the IRS, in the fact that they don’t contact you by phone as a general way of doing business – they contact you through the mail.  If you have any questions regarding your status with Social Security, call them TOLL FREE at 1-800-772-1213 OR visit them on-line at https://www.ssa.gov/

Remember, the best protection against scammers is being aware. 

Don’t believe everything you hear.  Don’t be a victim.

By the way, when we called the number and told them we were a news organization calling in response to someone’s social security number being “suspended”, and we simply wanted to make sure this wasn’t a scam they denied everything – we turned up the heat – and tone of our voice AND told them that their number had been reported across the country as part of a social security scam and even though we didn’t really believe a word they said we were giving them the opportunity to defend themselves – THAT’S when we heard a loud “click”

And when we called back, we got a message saying “Sorry your call can not be completed as dialed.”

Mission accomplished.