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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Jessica B.
Someone is calling from 240 546 8840 number calling pretending to be ssi asking for social security numbers please be aware dont be a victim
Diana M.
i have received 5 calls in the last 24 hours from 858 area coda, 816 exchange recorded message stating my social security number has been suspended due to suspicous activity. I know the are nor real but is there a way to block them.
V.V.
Hi Diana: Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at http://www.oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here http://www.identitytheft.gov/SSA.
Penelope B.
Yeah got a call from “SSA” (caller ID) this morning saying my SS # had been suspended due to “suspicious” activity
and to press1..I did and the call disconnected with a “ring tone”..I was lucky..won’t fall for it next time
V.V.
Hi Penelope: Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at http://www.oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here http://www.identitytheft.gov/SSA.
John
I receive these calls at least twice a day. always from similar numbers.
1-858-816-1564
1-858-816-1561
1-888-815-1325
1-888-815-1320
1-888-815-1316
etc etc… these people suck
L.A.
Hi John. 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.
Theresa
I just received a call from Pilot Point TX stating that I would lose my SS# if I didn’t call back and clear up my account. The number to call back was 940-324-4023. I feel this is a scam and want to get clarification or at least report this. I haven’t received anything in the mail about any issues so I truly believe this is fraudulent.
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Theresa. 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.
Miguel R.
Receive a phone call from 1-619-658-5322, asking about my new SS card. Saying that I need to activate Part “B”. She claim to be Agent #45.
A.C.
Hi, Miguel. 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.
Khord
Social security keeps calling my emergency contact numbers, but they don’t call me, I smell something fishy
Jeffrey D.
I received a phone call from +1 (716) 413-0442 saying that my social security number was suspended because of suspicious activity. I know this was a fraudulent call. I wanted to notify you of this. Thank you.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Jeffrey. 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 that helps.
Patty W.
I’m getting this call from 201-410-0501 saying my social security card used by someone else and I need to call them immediatley. I’ve gotten 4 phone calls a day for the last 4 days. So annoying
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Patty. 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.
Jamison W.
I’ve started receiving messages claiming to be the Social Security Administration claiming I need to contact “Officer Jenny” before you take legal action against me.
The number was (229) 299-4398