At this point it’s pretty much an everyday thing – someone is trying to scam someone out of money over the phone and it’s gotten to the point where the con artists are even being very creative anymore.

The latest rip-off attempt involves the caller offering to help you file for disability benefits – all you have to do is answer a few simple questions – which naturally includes information you should never, ever give out over the phone to someone you don’t know.

One Cherokee County resident has reported that they began receiving calls of this sort back around December 1st – the latest call came in this week, and needless to say that caller was about to get his feelings hurt when he wisely decided to cut his losses and hang up; that call came in from telephone number (256) 118-9395, and when we attempted to return the call and confront the individual this is what we got:

The person who reported the calls to us also provided us with several different numbers in relation to the scam, and in each case we were unable to connect, meaning the numbers are being blocked or re-routed in order to be untraceable.

If you should you receive a call from someone you don’t know – asking questions regarding disability or your social security benefits hang up immediately. Unfortunately, if you send a payment in any form – money order, green dot card, credit or debit card, wire transfer and so on – you’ll never see that money again. Most of these scammers are headquartered out-side the country making it virtually impossible to bring them to justice.

Also, never give out any personal, private information such as your social security number; sensitive information such as that will allow the thief to access your bank accounts, and run up huge debts via your hard-earned credit.

The best defense against being taken advantage of – is being AWARE.

Remember – hanging up on someone who’s trying to steal from you isn’t rude – it’s just the smart thing to do.