Who calls from (240) 585-8680? Reported 13 times from Maryland

About (240) 585-8680

Right now, reports are flooding in about a specific type of scam that is being reported 13 times, and it all starts with a phone call from 2405858680. This number, registered to Maryland, is the starting point for a scam that tries to get you to part with your hard-earned money.

You might be sitting at home when your phone rings, and on the other end is someone who claims to be from a reputable organization. They might say something like, 'Hello, we've been trying to reach you about an urgent matter regarding your Social Security number.' The caller will then try to create a sense of urgency, telling you that your account has been compromised or that you owe money to the IRS.

Read next: Rental scam alert how apartment hunters are being deceived

The pressure tactic is to make you feel like you need to act fast, or else something bad will happen. They might say, 'If you don't take care of this right now, your Social Security benefits will be suspended.' The goal is to get you to panic and make a rash decision. They might even throw in some official-sounding language to make it seem more legitimate, like 'We've received a notification from the Social Security Administration that your account has been flagged for suspicious activity.'

Then comes the ask. The scammer will ask you to pay a fee to fix the problem, and they might request that you use gift cards or wire transfers. They might say, 'We need you to purchase a $500 gift card and provide us with the code on the back.' Or, 'We need you to wire $1000 to our account to pay off the debt.' The idea is to get you to send them money, and once you do, it's gone for good.

Read next: The Credit Card Rate Scam That Wants Your Money First

But here's the thing: legitimate organizations, like the Social Security Administration or the IRS, will never ask you to pay with gift cards or wire transfers. They will also never call you out of the blue and demand payment. If you're ever in doubt, it's best to hang up and contact the organization directly using a phone number you know is legit.

Take a Step Back and Verify

If someone calls you claiming to be from a reputable organization and asks for payment, take a step back and verify their identity. Ask them for their name, their badge number, and the phone number you can call to verify their claim. A real organization will be happy to provide you with this information and will not pressure you into making a payment on the spot.

In fact, a real organization would actually send you a letter or email explaining the situation and providing you with instructions on how to resolve the issue. They would not call you out of the blue and demand payment. So, if you ever receive a call like this, remember that it's always better to err on the side of caution and verify the person's identity before taking any action.