Be careful – they could be a scammer. The Social Security Administration reports a high number of “phishing” calls – when crooks use deceiving tactics to get your private information.

In a recent story in the Fond du Lac Reporter, Janet Jenkins, administrator of the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection’s Wisconsin Office of Privacy Protection, says you should be suspicious of anyone who wants your private information over the telephone – especially those claiming to be with SSA:

“The Social Security Administration does not need to ask you for your Social Security number. Alarms should go off in your mind anytime someone contacts you out of the blue and asks for personal or financial information. Governmental agencies and legitimate businesses simply don’t do that.”

Is someone asking you to give your full Social Security number over the phone? Was your Social Security number lost or stolen? Is someone using it to open new credit accounts or purchase merchandise?

The Federal Trade Commission handles reports of stolen Social Security numbers – not the Social Security Administration. Check out the FTC’s Identity Theft site for details on how to report fraud.

Also, be sure to contact the three top credit bureaus about your stolen Social Security number, so you can begin repairing your credit. Their numbers:

• Equifax – 1-800-525-6285
• Trans Union – 1-800-680-7289
• Experian – 1-888-397-3742

If you have questions about how your Social Security number can be stolen, check out Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number by the SSA.

The caller uses a high-pressure sales pitch to get Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, or private insurance information. The sales pitch deliberately confuses people into believing the caller represents the government or private insurers.