I got a call from a number reported by caller-ID as 405-603-7076. Not knowing anyone from the 407 area code I let the call go to voicemail (no message was left).
I Google'd the number and found other's reporting the number as coming from a marketing firm that may be using phishing and deception to gather personal information. Specifically, people have reported that the caller represents him/herself as an agent of a collections agency and that you owe a bunch of money to some other company. You argue the point and they finally concede that they just have the name, and that you might not actually be the person they're tying to collect from. To verify that you are not the person they're looking for they ask you for your Social Security Number.
If your "SCAM ALERT!" sirens don't start going off in your head whenever someone asks you for that information maybe you should just give it out freely. Didn't Darwin write about natural selection?
Back to the point, should you be asked that information, grab a pen and paper and start asking questions yourself. Such as- Date, time, and phone number (on caller-ID) of the phone call
- Name of the caller: get the first and last name, if the say they can't give out their last name get their ID number and/or extension
- Name and phone number of the company they represent
- Name of their supervisor
- Name and phone number of the company they say they're collecting for
- The amount that they're trying to collect and any information associated with it (for services rendered on what date? at what location? under what account number? etc.)
If it's legitimate the person on the other end should have no problem with giving you this information. If they are hesitant be even more suspicious.
If it sounds legitimate, ask how to contact the caller back directly and tell them you'll call them back after you've verified their information with the person/company they said they're collecting for. Then do so! Call that company and ask if they've sent you to collections, for what amount, who the agency is, yadda yadda. You won't be able to make a payment to them since they've already assigned your debt to a collections agency, but at least you'll now if it's legitimate or not. If it's legit, call the collector back and ask them to mail you a bill with all pertinent information; you're done.
If it's not legit, call your local police department and file a report for potential fraud. Keep a copy of the report.
Bottom line: be smart. Don't give out any sensitive information to just anyone who asks for it. Be skeptical, be analytical. Be safe.