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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Eleanora T.
Unfortunately and very upsetting I became a victim of a phone scam social security over the phone on 5-1-19. I wrote down the callers names, and all info I was scammed out of $2,600 file a police report and trying to report incident on social security website. I had to apply for a payday loan to compensate the financial obligations. I really pray and hope someone investigate and find these people whose taking advantage of people like this. I feel so violated and humiliated putting myself in a financial difficulty by being so naïve and not using my common sense.
V.V.
Eleanora, we are so sorry that this happened to you. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here.
Trish
I received a phone call from 281-560-3089 with a recording saying my social security number as been involved with fraud and to call this number back. When I called that number back, I spoke to someone who sounded like he was from another country. I asked why the search online did not show an area code of 281. He says if you are going to be like that, I’ll just transfer your call to the local police department. I said fine. He transferred me and it sounded like the same person picked up that transferred me. I asked who I was speaking to. He says your husband. I told him he was not my husband because my husband does not have an accent. He insisted he was my husband. I hung up. I tried to file a complaint against this number with the phone company, but apparently AT&T doesn’t care.
A.C.
Hi, Trish. 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.
Katherine L.
I have been receiving calls from 940-295-4776, saying that my social security card has been suspended do to suspected fraudulent activity. Also threatening to take legal action against me if I don’t call back and talk to their legal department.
L.A.
Hi Katherine. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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.
Robert I.
We have been receiving phone calls saying they are from U.S.Treasury about a felony against social security number. The number to be called is 906-214-1143 before we are arrested. The number showing up on our caller id is OUR cell phone number. We have received 8 of these calls today. 04/29/2019
K.O.
Hello Robert. Thank you for letting us know about this phone call. 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.
Mike K.
I ‘ve recently gotten a spate of recorded calls claiming that my social security number has been cancelled. I hang up before listening to the full message because I know it’s a scam. I live in Los Angeles.
K.O.
Hello Mark. Thank you for informing us about the phone call you received. 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.
Lorna M.
I received a call stating I had inquired about SSA disability, I told her already receive SSA and she immediately hung up. Did not save number. Received a text message today from 1-904-849-9363 with the message:
Susan w/bill help you wanted help w/ S.S disability. I did not reply then was sent additional text with my name?
Jonathan S.
So I received a voicemail which said my SS # was suspended because of “fraudulent activity”. I have an .mp3 file of the voicemail – if you give me an email address, I’ll send it to you
A.C.
Hi, Jonathan. 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. Thanks, again.
amy t.
Hello i am write this for my wife she is hard of hearing we got a phone from 409 066-4197 saying that her ssi got use from a person who act like ssi agent that my ssi got used in car stolen texas that drugs and with personal information in saying that he ssi officer . we put the phone on speaker so i could hear what they staying with her hard of hearing all tones sound a like so she couldnt tell the difference. we didnt know there a scam going around he told me that he officer i told her give her infomation cause we didnt want her to get trouble cause they said there send two officer to that address to explain too her with her new ssi number that has issues. After we hang up we went on the website cause it seem fishy but wasnt sure . What do we do i didnt know there was a scam and with her heard of hearing i told her it was okey cause of officer of law. What do we do next on how to stop them from useing there infomation if some could contact that will be great information
A.C.
Hi. 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.
Jeana C.
I keep getting phone calls from this number 409-066-4591. Officer Bell saying hes a deputy of ssa. He states that the FBI, HOMELAND SECURITY, US MARSHALS are conducting a investigation on my ss number. When i asked for contact information for the above departments he hung up. He also has a thick foreign accent. I called the number back but it says it no longer in working order. No i did not give them any information. Thank you
V.V.
Hi Jeana. 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.
Christopher P.
I was getting several such calls, from men with Indian or middle eastern accents, claiming my SSN is suspended for suspicious or illegal activity, and that an arrest warrant would be issued if I didn’t confirm my info. Of course I didn’t give out any info, but the most satisfying solution I found was to meow like a cat at them. They’re baffled at first, then they either hang up or call me nasty names and then hang up. “Mreeow?”