What to Do If You Receive a Call from 8139405355: A Guide to Avoiding Scammers

Have you ever received a call from a number that you don’t recognize and wondered who it is and what they want? If so, you are not alone. Many people get calls from unknown numbers every day, and some of them are not from legitimate callers, but from scammers who want to trick you into giving them your personal or financial information, or paying them money for fake services or products.

One of the numbers that has been reported as a scam number is 8139405355. This number is associated with a robocall scam that claims to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The caller may tell you that your social security number or your tax ID has been suspended, compromised, or involved in some illegal activity and that you need to call them back immediately to resolve the issue. They may also threaten you with legal action, arrest, or fines if you don’t comply.

However, these calls are not from the SSA or the IRS, but from fraudsters who want to scare you into giving them your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, social security number, bank account number, or credit card number. They may also ask you to pay them money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which are hard to trace and recover.

If you receive a call from 8139405355, or any other number that claims to be from the SSA or the IRS, you should not answer it, or hang up immediately if you do. You should not call them back, or press any buttons on your phone, as this may lead to more calls or charges. You should also not provide them with any information, or agree to any payment requests.

How to identify and avoid the 8139405355 robocall scam?

The 8139405355 robocall scam is one of the many phone scams that target unsuspecting people and try to steal their money or identity. Here are some ways to identify and avoid this scam:

• The first clue that the call is a scam is the number itself. The SSA and the IRS do not use robocalls to contact people, and they do not use random numbers to do so. They usually use official toll-free numbers or send letters or emails with their logos and contact information. If you receive a call from a number that you don’t recognize, or that looks suspicious, you should be wary of it.
• The second clue is the message that the caller delivers. The SSA and the IRS do not suspend, cancel, or revoke social security numbers or tax IDs, and they do not ask people to verify or confirm their information over the phone. They also do not threaten people with legal action, arrest, or fines for not complying with their requests. If you receive a call that makes these claims, you should know that it is a scam.
• The third clue is the request that the caller makes. The SSA and the IRS do not ask people to pay them money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, or to provide them with their personal or financial information, such as their name, date of birth, social security number, bank account number, or credit card number. These are common methods that scammers use to get money or information from people, and they are not traceable or refundable. If you receive a call that asks you to do these things, you should not do them.

Tips to follow

To avoid the 8139405355 robocall scam or any other phone scam, you should follow these tips:

• Do not answer calls from numbers that you don’t recognize, or that look suspicious. If the call is important, the caller will leave a message or contact you through other means.
• Do not call back numbers that you don’t recognize, or that look suspicious. This may lead to more calls or charges on your phone bill.
• Do not press any buttons on your phone, or follow any instructions that the caller gives you. This may activate the scam or give the caller access to your phone or information.
• Do not provide any information, or agree to any payment requests, that the caller asks you to do. This may result in losing your money or identity or becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft.
• Hang up immediately if you receive a call that you suspect is a scam, and report it to the authorities or the appropriate agencies. You can report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at [ftc.gov/complaint], or to the SSA at [oig.ssa.gov], or to the IRS at [irs.gov]. You can also register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at [donotcall.gov] to reduce unwanted calls.

What to do if you have already fallen victim to the scammers?

That can be very frustrating and stressful if you have already fallen victim to these scammers. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent further damage:

• Contact your bank and credit card companies and tell them about the scam. They may be able to reverse the transactions, freeze your accounts, or issue new cards. You should also check your statements for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This will help the FTC track and stop the scammers, and also provide you with useful resources and tips. You can also report the scam to the Social Security Administration (SSA) at oig.ssa.gov or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at irs.gov if they pretend to be from these agencies.
• Change your passwords and add two-factor authentication to your online accounts, especially your email, bank, and social media accounts. This will make it harder for the scammers to access your information or impersonate you. You should also update your anti-virus software and scan your computer and devices for any malware or spyware.
• Monitor your credit reports and identity. You can get a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com. You should check your credit reports for any errors or suspicious activity, and dispute them if necessary. You can also place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit reports to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. You can also sign up for identity theft protection services that can alert you of any changes or threats to your identity.

I hope this helps you deal with the situation and recover from the scam. Please be careful and vigilant in the future, and do not answer or respond to any calls from 8139405355 or suspicious numbers. You can also register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov to reduce unwanted calls. If you have any questions or need more assistance, please let me know.