Watch out for scammers posing as government agents, Arizona AG warns

PHOENIX — If you get a call out of the blue from somebody claiming to represent a government agency, there’s a good chance it’s a scammer trying to rip you off, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich warned.

Brnovich said fraudsters recently have been posing as agents of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

They’ve been threatening to arrest people or cut off benefits, claiming money was owed and needed to be paid with money orders or gift cards.

Some have been asking for social security numbers or other personal information that could be used for identity theft.

“So if you get a call from anyone saying they’re from the government, you should immediately be suspicious,” Brnovich told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday.

He also said to be on the lookout for scammers posing as U.S. marshals or IRS agents.

One way for consumers to protect themselves is to confirm the identity of the person who makes contact, Brnovich said.

Have you received a call from a person pretending to be with the Social Security Administration?
Our office is seeing an uptick in consumer complaints about these imposter scams. I’m sharing the best consumer tips with @ClineKathleen on @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/XPepQBHXkE

— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) July 31, 2018

“If you get a cold call from someone that’s unexpected, that should be a huge red flag,” he said.

“Additionally, whenever you’re dealing with someone in person you should always request ID — see a badge number, see their credentials. Take a number or take a point of contact and you contact the person instead of them contacting you.”

In addition, he emphasized that money should never be wired or sent using a gift card.

“If somebody’s telling you to do that, they are not from the government,” he said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kathy Cline contributed to this report.

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