Sounds like you were very sensible. Apparently there is also a way these people can keep the line open (on landline phones as I understand it) so if you hang up and try and call someone else, you still go back through to them. The thing to do is use another phone if possible and don't use any number they provide - get the number from the bank website. Or you can check your online banking, most banks have online chat too so you can contact them that way. Whatever you do, don't give your card number or pin to anyone at all, ever. It is hard though as panic does take over and you do things you would see as silly, were you in a calm state of mind. It is despicable that these people prey on worried and vulnerable people like this.

When that kind of things happen, stop everything you are doing (by example speaking to the man), breathe, and then think.

Questions will come in your mind, start asking questions.
if it is a scam like here, they would have hang up fast !

Get all the answers you need in every situation of your life ! It is very important, most of the people will think you are boring, but you don't care. The main reason why I feel comfortable in my life is because I have an answer for everything.

Don't foget nobody can force you to do something in such a short time and as an accountant I would advice you to never pay something if you don't have a paper !

I think it is great to trust your inner feelings. I get phone calls, really intended for the previous person who had my phone number. They did not pay off their credit card. I get nervous but know it is not meant for me.

I was contacted by the IRS. They thanked me for reporting the situation, and said that this happens often, but no one reports it. That if there was a problem, it would not be a phone call, but a letter.

These phone calls still upset me. My ex never changed his phone # on many things, so I constantly get calls for him, and won't give his # to these people, but have expressed to ex that he needs to stop these calls. Not going to happen.

I still keep my landline for these calls. Easy to screen them. My cell is only for trusted friends and family.

Hi julchr

I'm sorry you received a call like that. Those kinds of calls can be unnerving and cause anxiety.
You handled it all really well and did the right thing.

More often or not IF someone calls us first asking for information it raises a red flag and it's wise to be cautious.
It is always advisable to never give SSN and other personal information IF it is an INcoming call.
You are within your rights to not give information out and make phone calls yourself to verify if the call is legitimate or not.

A while back there was a fake caller who was phoning people saying that they were from the sheriff's department or court house threatening a warrant for arrest for not attending jury duty and fines would incur. something to that effect. These types of hoax or scam calls can sound very official and scare people. They prey on the vulnerable.

Usually anything to do with government, financial institutions, etc. You will get official written letter and request for us to phone them.

@elishiva.
We've lived in this home for 7 years and have had the same telephone number all this time. I still on occasion receive debt collector phone calls asking for this other person who use to have my number. It seems that The credit card company or debt collecting agency have been tracking this guy down for all these years.