(Mineola, NY) Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell is cautioning Nassau County residents about a new type of solicitation that has recently targeted the Nassau community. The solicitations come in the form of a person or “robo-call” fraudulently claiming to be from the U.S. Social Security Administration. These impersonators are mimicking or “spoofing” the correct telephone number of the Social Security office and warning that their Social Security number (SSN) has been “frozen” or “compromised”. The scammers will then ask you to “confirm your Social Security number to reactivate it.” In some instances, they will also attempt to coerce the victim into wiring money, sending cash, or asking that the victim transfer funds onto a gift card and supplying the card number. This follows a report issued yesterday of scammers targeting residents in Suffolk County.
Concerned by these deceptive practices, County Clerk O’Connell wants Nassau residents to remember that the Social Security Administration will not call to threaten your benefits or ask you to send money. “The Social Security Administration will never call and ask you to verify your Social Security number,” warns County Clerk O’Connell. “If you receive one of these calls, do not provide any information and hang up immediately.” In an effort to protect Nassau residents, County Clerk O’Connell advises anyone who receives one of these calls to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by going to www.FTC.gov and using the “FTC Complaint Assistant” option.
County Clerk O’Connell reminds residents to be wary of any person or “robo-call” who claims to be from a government agency and is demanding a cash payment or threatening court action. For additional questions or information, contact the Nassau County Clerk’s Office at 516-571-2660.