Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
In the digital age, frauds and scams are an unfortunate part of doing business online. During the holiday season, Social Security has traditionally seen a spike in phishing scams, and we want to protect you as best we can.
We urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your Social Security Number (SSN) or bank account information to unknown individuals over the phone or internet. If you receive a call and aren’t expecting one, you must be extra careful. You can always get the caller’s information, hang up, and — if you do need more clarification — contact the official phone number of the business or agency that the caller claims to represent. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who called you.
Please take note; there’s a scam going around right now. You might receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security or another agency. Calls can even display the 1-800-772-1213, Social Security’s national customer service number, as the incoming number on your caller ID. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
Callers sometimes state that your Social Security number is at risk of being deactivated or deleted. The caller then asks you to provide a phone number to resolve the issue. People should be aware the scheme’s details may vary; however, you should avoid engaging with the caller or calling the number provided, as the caller might attempt to acquire personal information.
Social Security employees occasionally contact people by telephone for customer-service purposes. In only a few special situations, such as when you have business pending with us, a Social Security employee may request the person confirm personal information over the phone.
Social Security employees will never threaten you or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online.
Remember, only call official phone numbers and use secured websites of the agencies and businesses you know are correct. Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to secure today and tomorrow.
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About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Jody A.
I have been receiving multiple phone calls and voicemails claiming to be Social Security and that my social security number is going to be deleted due to suspicious activity. 888-810-0727, 0616, 0612, 0535, 0533, 0523, 0517, 0510. When I call the number back, the same exact message comes on that was on the voicemails. No person answers the phone, it is strictly a message. I am totally ignoring the calls and deleting the voicemails. Hopefully this ends soon.
V.V.
Hi Jody. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here.
Todd E.
I had a great time Calling my scammer. He was so pissed at me by the time I got done with him. He told me to “shut up” after the second phone call to him, and after the third call to him he begged me to quit calling him. I had a phone call from the IRS two months ago. Just think about what I told Him. I love when scammers call me.
Michael A.
I received a call from 888-253-5629 stating that my SS# has been compromised and that I need to call this number to correct the issue, I did not call back as I believe it is a scam…
…for your information / records.
please confirm.
M. C.
I received a Social Security scam attempt. Call back number : 332-331-8595. Said my SS# had been compromised & to call that number. I did not..
+
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Deborah B.
I got a call from your (800) 772-1213 phone number. No message was left but I had been waiting for a call from my local office. I called the (800) 772-1213 number but when I got a call back it came from +1 (469) 656-6039. My question is, is this a legitimate Social Security phone number?
A.C.
Hi, Deborah. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Tommy K.
I received a voice and e-mail from Charles Wedderburn that he wants me to review my earnings record for Social Security. The phone number he want me to call back is: 866 964-7317, ext 29024. Is this legit or a scam?
Rob R.
received two calls today, one from 800-647-8214, and another from877-305-3630, claiming to be reps from S.S.A. ( automated ), stating my S.S. number had been compromised and suspended
John K.
I received two calls from 1-800-772-1011 and I did not pick up, so they left two message. The messages said that the call is from the Department of Social Security Administration and they are contacting me because they noticed some suspicious activities on SSN and they want to me to call them right away. I got suspicious and googled the phone number and somehow landed on this page and confirmed my suspicion.
Joan W.
I was contacted by someone (an automated caller) whose number displayed as +1(1)18001191213. They told me because of “unusual activity” on my SS#, all future payments would be suspended and I needed to speak to one of their Social Security specialists.
phil
I keep getting calls from 402 area code (Nebraska) I know it’s a scam and all the people are Indian, so unless our government has farmed out the SS system they’re con artists. I’ve told them to stop calling but they continue to call every day, all day. So now when they call, I blow an airhorn into the receiver, it’s pretty deafening. As a matter of fact as I’m writing this, they called again. I figure eventually they will get tired of this. Btw..I’m on the National do not call registry so that doesn’t work.