Who calls from (833) 684-5512? Reported 13 times

About (833) 684-5512

You were just sitting at home, maybe sorting through some mail or watching TV, when the phone rings. You pick it up, and on the other end is someone who claims to be from a government agency, like the IRS or Social Security. They sound very official and serious, and they tell you that there is a problem with your account or your identity. They might say something like, "We've been trying to reach you about a problem with your Social Security number, and if you don't take care of it right away, your benefits will be cancelled."

The person on the phone will then ask you to verify your identity by giving them your Social Security number or other personal information. They might also ask you to pay a fine or fee using a gift card or wire transfer. They will tell you that this is the only way to resolve the problem and avoid any further trouble. For example, they might say, "If you don't pay this fine, we'll have to send someone to your house to arrest you."

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But here's the thing: this is not a real government agency calling you. It's a scammer who is trying to trick you into giving them your personal information or money. They might use high-pressure tactics to try to scare you into doing what they want, but don't fall for it. A real government agency will never ask you to pay a fine or fee using a gift card or wire transfer. They will also never ask you to verify your identity by giving them your Social Security number or other personal information over the phone.

Checking the Story

So how can you tell if a call like this is fake? One way is to ask the person on the phone to verify their identity and the identity of the agency they claim to be from. You can also ask them to send you something in writing, like a letter or an email, that explains the problem and what you need to do to resolve it. If they refuse to do this, or if they try to scare you into doing something right away, it's likely a scam.

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Another way to check the story is to call the agency directly, using a phone number that you know is real. For example, if the person on the phone claims to be from the IRS, you can call the IRS directly to ask about the problem. If the IRS doesn't know anything about it, then you know it's a scam. You can also check the agency's website to see if they have any information about the problem or if they are warning people about scams like this.

• Be wary of anyone who calls you out of the blue and asks for personal information or money.
• Never give out your Social Security number or other personal information over the phone unless you are sure that the person on the other end is who they claim to be.
• Don't pay anyone using a gift card or wire transfer, especially if they are asking you to do so over the phone.

A real organization, like the IRS or Social Security, will never ask you to do something that puts you at risk. They will also never try to scare you into doing something right away. If you're ever in doubt, it's always best to err on the side of caution and hang up the phone. Then, you can call the organization directly to ask about the problem and what you need to do to resolve it. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry.