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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Troy
Someone called me from Clearwater, Florida off of her cell phone, claiming to be my “case manager” but wouldn’t give me her name. 720-508-9599. I hung up on her. I haven’t received anything in by mail, and I believe if this was from SSI, the call wouldn’t be from a cellular phone.
L.A.
Hi Troy. 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.
izmir d.
https://formatdedektiflik.com/
Crystal
Have received a call stating that my SSI number was going to be blocked if I don’t call back. The number the caller called from is 1-(443) 687-7686 coming from Baltimore, MD.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Crystal. 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.
Ray
So, what to do if a relative gets scammed? My stepsister got a call from somebody claiming to be SSI people, and she gave them all her details… SSN, address, whatever else she had. Luckily she has no money in accounts, and no credit cards.
A.C.
Hi, Ray. 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. Your relative can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. If she suspects identity theft, she should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps!
Ramona K.
I have received 5 phone calls in the last 2 days on my cell phone claiming they would suspend my SS number if I don’t call them back. I hung up on every one of them. The numbers they called from were
(858)788-1286/1265/1261/1255 &1247
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Ramona. 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.
Linda V.
I reported a scam number but I have received another phone call from a person saying I will be arrested with a federal warrant. I hope some one will shut these callers down.
Linda S.
I received a call today stating that my SS # is reporting fraudulent activity. Is this a scam?
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Linda. 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.
Eloise M.
I’ve been receiving these calls all day starting six hours ago from (858) 788-1172; 1176; 1180; 1187; 1192, I keep blocking the number on my cell, but the next time it rings the number has changed ,,,, to a few digits higher.
Happy Memorial Day!
ann
Phone scammers impersonating Social Security Administration phone number is 1-800-914-0372
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Ann. 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.
do n.
1800-914-0372 ssi scam