Social Insecurity, Part 9

I answer the phone as I am the closest to it when it rings.

Me: “Thank you for calling [Store]. How can I help you?”

Caller: “My name is [Caller], and my social security number is—”

They start saying numbers which I immediately tune out.

Me: “Uh, wait. Please stop. Who are you trying to call?”

Caller: *Pauses for a brief moment* “My name is [Caller], and my social security number is—”

Me: “Who are you trying to call?”

Caller: *Pauses again* “My name is—”

Me: “Please stop. Who are you trying to call?”

Caller: “The bank.”

Me: “You have the wrong number.”

The caller hung up without another word. Why would you try to give your social security number over the phone like that?!

In hindsight, I would have immediately said we were the wrong number, but I was just so caught off guard in the moment. I don’t even know which bank they were trying to call because our number isn’t close to any of our local banks.

I sincerely hope this person thought to verify they had the correct number with whoever they tried next before giving someone everything they needed to steal the caller’s identity.

Related:
Social Insecurity, Part 8
Social Insecurity, Part 7
Social Insecurity, Part 6
Social Insecurity, Part 5