New Amarillo Scam: Police Warn Residents

It would be nice to have a holiday season where everyone was on the same page in Amarillo. We are all just trying to enjoy our time with our family and with as little drama as possible

Whether we have a white Christmas or not, we just want our health and peace throughout the city; what we don't want is another scam to hit our city. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened.

The Anatomy of the New SSA Phishing Scam

It seems we can't even go a few weeks without a new scam being reported. It's sad that the scammers are out in full force. This time, they are messing with Social Security. Trying to get your information after scaring whoever they reach out to.

According to the Amarillo Police Department:

In this week’s scam, you receive an alarming email from the Social Security Administration, or SSA. The email has an urgent subject line that warns about an issue with your account and includes an attachment that looks like an official government letter. The letter claims that your Social Security number is linked to criminal activities and has been suspended. It provides a phone number for you to call immediately to avoid being prosecuted.

Why Scammers Use Fear and Urgency

With any scam, they try to make the recipient panic. The fear of being arrested and prosecuted is enough to scare anyone. Stop and think. Your next step should not be to do whatever the email tells you to do. If you do, it will lead to even more headaches:

However, this email is a phishing scam, and the attached letter is a fake! If you call the number, a cybercriminal will answer and pretend to work for the SSA. They may even use the name of a real government employee to make their scam even more convincing. They will ask you for your personal information and money to “fix” the problem with your account. But there isn’t actually a problem with your account, and the scammer will steal any money or personal data that you give to them!

Official Amarillo Police Tips to Stop Scams

According to the Amarillo Police Department, there are tips to follow to not get scammed this holiday season:

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this phishing scam:
• Scammers often use official-looking attachments and a sense of urgency to make you act quickly. Real government organizations won’t pressure you to act immediately. Always stop and think before taking action!
• Never trust a phone number listed in a suspicious email or attachment. If you’re concerned about your Social Security account, visit the official government website.
• Never provide personal information or money to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Remember, the SSA will never ask you for money through a phone call, text, or email.

Keep safe, and whenever you are in doubt, stop, think, and contact the office yourself. In this case, you would check in with the Social Security Office if you are really concerned. Don't get scammed.