3 Ways to Fight Scammers Who Target Your Social Security Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 19, 2021
Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears. The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails.
One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents and other law enforcement. They may claim your Social Security number is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not comply with their instructions. Here are three things you can do:
- Hang up right away or do not reply to the email.
- Never give personal information, money, or retail gift cards.
- Report the scam immediately to our law enforcement team at the Office of the Inspector General.
You should continue to remain vigilant of phone calls when someone says there’s a problem with your Social Security number or your benefits. If you owe us money, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.
Related: Inspector General Announces 2nd National “Slam the Scam” Day
There are a few ways you can identify a scam call or email. Remember that we will never:
- Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
- Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
- Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
- Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If you do not have ongoing business with us, it is unlikely we will contact you. Again, if you get a suspicious call claiming to be from Social Security, you should hang up and report it right away to our Office of the Inspector General. Please share this important information with your friends and family—and join us for “Slam the Scam” Day on Thursday, March 4.
Here’s a list of our “Slam the Scam” Day events:
- 1:00 pm – Spanish language Twitter chat. Use hashtags #OjoConLasEstafas and #NCPW2021 to follow and participate.
- 3:00 pm – English language Twitter chat. Use hashtags #SlamTheScamChat and #NCPW2021.
- 7:00 pm – Facebook Live on government imposter phone scams featuring Tracy Lynge, the Communications Director at our Office of the Inspector General, and Drew Johnson, the Chief of Staff at the Federal Trade Commission’s Division of Consumer and Business Education. Be sure to ask your scam-related questions in the blog comments below—and we will answer them.
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Comments
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Anthony S.
I would like to report that the US Department of Education Total and Permanent Disability discharge of student loans is a scam. It is not a loan forgiveness program, after surrendering to them for a three years term of supervision, they will inform you of the terms in which your “obligation will be reinstated”. The bill seems valid but no perjurer would pay it because there is a bogus scam to involve assaultive medical and education professionals before reinstating the obligation.
Katherine G.
I received a recorded call from a company stating that I had recently filed for SS disability benefits..I have not..is this a scam or should I be concerned that someone has fraudulently filed under my SS#?
Vonda
Hi Katherine, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone if they have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. To see if Social Security did make that call, you would need to call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Marion M.
I have received several calls stating I am under investigation and if I don’t respond a warrent will be issued for my arrest. I informed the person I am a law enforcement officer and I will check on this warrent. When I ask where the warrent was issued from they start using profanity and then hang up.
Vonda
Thanks for letting us know, Marion. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Brent R.
Thank You…very useful. I never cease to be amazed at the tactics used by the scammers. Hang up is BEST ADVICE EVER!
PETER J.
What does the SAA do about crooks steal benefits through their “SECURE ” site. I’ve been trying to get two (2) months worth of benefits for 1.5 years. In that time period I have heard from the SSA ZERO (0) times. I wasn’t scammed, the SAA was. If you expect help FORGET IT .
Charles L.
Have had telephone calls stating that my social security number is going to be suspended in the state of Texas.
Have had calls stating my social security number is being suspended and to call a telephone number(I didn’t write it down). Will in the future write down any information.
Vonda
Thanks for letting us know, Charles. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Heaven
If we receive benefits how do we know of it’s legitimately social security or a scam I requested an in person appointment for sure needs they told me no I don’t want to do anything over the phone bc I can’t tell if it’s real or not
Vonda
Hi Heaven, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone if they have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. If you’re receiving benefits, Social Security may be calling regarding the benefits. To see if Social Security did make that call or send that email, you would need to call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Melvin E.
Call me please.
Rose M.
I just received notice #1444-B that I was issued a second economic impact payment. I was never informed, nor received any economic impact payments. EIP2 as provided by the Covid related Tax Act of 2020.
An EIP2 payment was issued in the amount of $600 by check/debit card.
I receive my social security retirement benefit check monthly in an automatic deposit to my checking account. That is all.
Vonda
Hi Rose, thanks for using our blog. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not Social Security, issues the Economic Income Payments. Social Security cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Deborah J.
Can you explain and give examples re
pfishing’ links. They are tricky and try to stress people into which response
Vonda
Hi Deborah, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Security and Protection web page for details on how to detect a phishing email pretending to be Social Security. We hope this is helpful!
Robert W.
Got a call yesterday saying my benefits were suspended! If I thought it was a mistake,press #1 to speaker to an agent”…I just hung up, knowing it was a scam.
Vonda
Thanks for letting us know, Robert. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Tom
Please read – we need help !!!
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