New Social Security phone scam spreading across Utah

New Social Security phone scam spreading across Utah


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SALT LAKE CITY — Police are warning Utahns of a new social security phone scam spreading across the nation.

Jill Davis was almost the victim of a telephone phishing scam. A man called her home and told her that he was issuing her a new social security card. He had her full name and address.

"Then he said he would need my banking information and I said, 'I'm not going to give you my banking information,' " Davis said. "And he said, 'Well do you want a social security card or not?' And I said, 'Apparently I don't want one because I'm not going to give you my banking information.' "

Davis said the man hung up after she refused to tell him her bank account over the phone. The Utah Department of Commerce said that a person's best defense against scammers is to simply hang up the phone.

"They're looking to find a way to steal your identity or to get into your bank accounts or to take away the value that you have tried to build up over the years," said the director of the Divison of Consumer Protection Daniel O'Bannon.

O'Bannon said that elderly people are the most likely to be targeted, but unlike Davis, most fall for the scams.

"I don't know whether it's we're being too trusting or they're too good, but all the time these scams will result in something and that's why they keep happening," O'Bannon said.

Officials said that if you are ever asked for your social security or banking information over the phone to hang up immediately, and to call the social security office or your bank to verify the call.

Davis said she's been warning her family and friends of the social security scam, but she's still worried she could fall victim.

"It could happen again and hopefully I have all my faculties, but you really don't know," Davis said.

The Department of Commerce instructs anyone that has fallen victim to a scam to file a police report immediately, contact the social security office and cancel all your credit cards.

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