Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader has put out a warning to residents about a social security phone-scam.  The sheriff says that many county residents have reported getting phone calls from people claiming to be with the Social Security Administration and then asking for private information from residents.

On Saturday, Sheriff Schrader said, “We have been getting many calls involving scammers pretending to be either with social security or investigating you regarding your social security number. Please, Please, Please DO NOT give out your social security number to ANYONE on the telephone. Social Security Administration will not call you by phone and ask for your number.”

The Social Security Administration says on their website, “Social Security may email or text you about programs and services, but will never ask for a return call to an unknown number. Social Security only sends emails or text messages if you have opted in to receive them.”

Protect yourself, friends, and family!

• If you receive a questionable call, hang up and report it at oig.ssa.gov.
• Do not return unknown calls, emails, or texts.
• Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
• Do not be embarrassed to report if you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss.
• Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam.
• Share this information with others.