You’ve probably received a phone call in the past month or so that informs you of the status of your car’s extended warranty — probably a warranty you were unaware existed. The efforts and attempts to engage people in sales discussions are getting more and more creative. They’re also getting more deceptive. While some companies are simply using diversion and overgeneralizing statements to provoke a response from potential customers, others are upping their scamming game to try to solicit bank account or credit card information. Deceptive methods to generate sales leads are one thing. Deceptive methods to steal money or identity is something entirely different.

Social Security Scams

You will be never be contacted by phone by the Social Security Administration regarding the status of your social security number or your account. If you haven’t received a letter from the SSA, they aren’t trying to contact you. Beyond that, any money that’s owed or any crime that’s being investigated will be communicated to you via letter as well.

Consider this statement from the Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis:

“Don’t believe anyone who calls you unsolicited from a government agency and threatens you — just hang up,” Inspector General Ennis said. “They may use real names or badge numbers to sound more official, but they are not. We will keep updating you as scam tactics evolve — because public awareness is the best weapon we have against them.”

You may also read all previous Social Security OIG fraud advisories You can see a full list of scams on the SSA website. 

Credit Card Phishing Scam

You or a family member - particularly an elderly or vulnerable loved one - may be contacted by someone claiming to be a loved one who was unexpectedly arrested for something arbitrary (like a missed insurance payment or mistaken identity). The call will go something like this, “Hey Grandpa. This is your oldest granddaughter.” At this point, Grandpa may reply, “Oh, hello Kate. How are you.” At this point, the scammer uses the information they have to gather more information to eventually get credit card information to pay a small bail fee.

This scam and those like it have been circulating for years. Sometimes it’s an alert of passwords being stolen or credit card information being hacked. Sometimes it’s an official, computerized voice alerting someone of past due amounts owed to the government or to a lender. The more sophisticated the scam becomes, the harder it is to identify, particularly for those who are more vulnerable to the deception.

Debt Collection Scams

Sometimes a debt collection scam can be hard to identify because of how it sounds so similar to legitimate collection efforts. But knowing the difference between legitimate collection companies and illegal efforts can protect you and your credit score.


Legitimate collection agencies will give you details of the debt, will not threaten to expose your debt to loved ones or employers, and will not arbitrarily threaten harsh punishments. To help identify whether the collections calls you’re receiving are from a legitimate agency like Viking Client Services, CHECK HERE. 

If you can help educate your loved ones, you can help protect them.

Be aware of the scams circulating so that you can know what to look for and how to identify deception over the phone. And help your loved ones do the same!

If you feel like you’ve been contacted by an attempted scam, you should report it immediately.