Residents are being warned about scam calls being made regarding problems with Social Security numbers. Several Wright County residents have been receiving robo-calls claiming there is something wrong with their Social Security numbers that needs to be fixed. The scammers are masking numbers, including some that show up on Caller ID claiming to be a Wright County office.

If you receive such a call, do not respond because it is not legitimate. You are asked to call the national Social Security Administration (SSA) number at (800) 772-1213 to report that you have received a call concerning your Social Security number.

According to SSA policy, the office will never threaten you with arrest or legal action if you do not immediately pay a debt or fine/fee, tell you your SSN has been suspended, offer you an increase in benefits to resolve identity theft issues in exchange for a payment, require payment via prepaid debit cards, retail gift cards, wire transfers, Bitcoin or cash, demand secrecy in handling Social Security-related problem, text you unsolicited or email you attached documents containing your personally identifiable information.

In addition, Wright County would not be calling residents regarding issues dealing with Social Security numbers or asking someone to provide a SSN over the phone.

Scammers have been using COVID-19 as a rationale for trying to take advantage of people, but be aware that the Social Security Administration has very strict policies about how it interacts with individuals and it is almost always by mail unless someone reaches out to them by phone or email.