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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Douglas A.
Social Security scam expalntion – Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Social Security
VERY good, assuring, and easy to read.
Thank you.
William D.
I get between 6 and 12 calls DAILY from spoofed 916 area code phone numbers about my social security account number being used illegally and at risk of deactivation. This has gone to the level that my phone is now pretty much useless to me for incoming calls. I even subscribed to an anti robocaller phone app, but that didn’t seem to work with these spoofed phone numbers.
Please prosecute these criminals.
Connie
I recieved a phone call from 256-716-8853 stating they were the social security office and my ss number had been compromised. I called these back and ask the man why he was saying he was from the social security office. Fraud is what this man is doing
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Connie. 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.
Penny H.
Received scam call threatening that my SS # was going to be cancelled.
Call was originated from this number:
+1 (844) 343-8080. I hung up and did not engage in conversation.
Bernice F.
877-894-8649. Was a phone number claiming to be from SSA and there would be some arrests, etc. BE AWARE. THIS IS A SCAM
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Bernice. 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.
Edward D.
A computer voice at 1-828-865-3082 keeps calling to say my Social Security Number has been “Suspended” due to “suspicious” activity. They seem to be relentless in the amount of calls and voice mails they leave.
Michael M.
I just got the scam call saying my SSI was at risk of being deleted
for dectected fraudulent activity the number on the call id was 707 397 5751 said CA
A.C.
Hi, Michael. 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.
Brian G.
getting calls explaining my ssan has been suspended fron north carolina..repeatedly?
828-865-4207
828-865-4503
828-865-4506
828-865-4509
Taraina D.
Doesn’t the SSA send letters only, unless of course you call SSA first, and therefore possibly calling you back if needed? My husband & I have been receiving scamming calls since the beginning of the year. What’s worse, is they’re using all sorts of different numbers, and leaving messages such as, ” We have suspended your SSN due to fraudulent activities ” and ” This is the SSD. You need to call back right away or there will be a warrant for your arrest, and you will go to jail.” I have saved these messages and even called some of these people back, just to let them know that “they’re going to jail for their fraudulent phone calls.” A few weeks ago, I received more than enough of these calls. I had enough. I called back, and the poor man on the phone number they called me on said, ” I’m very sorry. Someone has given our business number out, and we’re trying to shut this down. We have nothing to do with this.” Then this morning, I had yet another call. This time it was from 727-508-9599. It was from a wireless phone. I asked her who I was speaking with. She wouldn’t tell me. She called me by name, and would only state that she was my ” case manager. ” I obviously hung up. Which brings me back to my question, doesn’t SSA send letters only, unless you’re expecting a call from SSA? I am extremely afraid to answer any calls unless I know for a fact of whom I’m speaking with. What do we do, other than report these? What if SSA is truly trying to call?
L.A.
Hi Traina. 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.
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. 727-508-9599. 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.