Sep 23, 2012
EXACTLY RIGHT! If you already did what they asked, make sure you 'red flag' your credit by notifying Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. My mom got the call, and luckily called me right away. I spoke to a guy who told me to fax my mom's information (divorce decree) and put her SSN in the memo line. After hanging up, I realized they would NEVER ask to give that out on a fax. So I waited until the weekend, and called the number again 510-970-4358. I knew SS doesnt work on the weekend, and the phone went to a personal mailbox with a different phone number,. which I traced back to MEXICO!!!!
My concern is that most of us whom are 'computer savvy' will check the number out online, like we all did here. But, it's our moms/dads/brothers/sisters/aunts/uncles, etc., that are elderly and dont have a computer that I'm concerned about. PLEASE TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS SCAM. SSA WILL NEVER ASK FOR YOUR INFORMATION OR SSN FAXED OR ON THE PHONE!! But if it's too late, dont panic, be proactive and look up the credit bureaus in your phone book or ask a family member (or friend, pastor, etc) for help. DON'T FEEL STUPID. GET HELP. Youre not stupid because you should have known better!! These people are SHARP, and they do this over and over again, so they are good at what they do. Contact someone you trust to get help. I have a friend in law enforcement, who's mom was scammed, and her mom never said anything until it was too late, and almost $100,000 was gone. My friend is a cop, her brother is a homicide detective, and her mom's brother is with the Secret Service. She told me once if it can happen to her, it can happen to ANYONE!