Social Security Phone Scam Reported In Vermilion Parish

Your Social Security number. I have often wondered why a number and card that is so important to us throughout our entire lives is printed on not much more than basic paper? You'd think they could at least laminate the card so it doesn't fade after 50 plus years of being in your wallet, but that's another gripe for another time.

Today's story is about your Social Security number and some bad guys that want that information so they can use your information to do a lot of bad things like steal your identity and basically make your life a living hell.

Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillion has reported that several residents have reported to his office a phone scam that has been circulating throughout the parish. In that scam, the scammer tells his potential victim that their Social Security number has been "suspended". 

The scammer then gives the victim a number to call to report their number and get it un-suspended. There are a couple of big problems with this scenario. First, the Social Security Administration does NOT suspend Social Security numbers. It's not something they do.

Second, the number the scammer gives you to call is a fake number. The person on the other end just takes your name and Social Security number and then they are off to do their dirty deeds.

The bottom line is this, never give out any important information like a Social Security or credit card number on the phone to someone you don't know. If you have a question, hang up the phone and you call the agency that you have a concern with directly.

Third, don't fall for phone scams, be vigilant and make sure your older family members have been made aware of this kind of scam. It's our older residents that get taken by the scams more often than any other age group. If you or someone you know gets a phone call like this, report it immediately to local law enforcement.