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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Sandra W.
I received a call from (201) 405-7772 number saying that someone was using my ss# in a fraudulent manner. I have tried calling 1-800-269-0271 number, that was no help. The ss office near me closed at 12 today. How can I verify anything about my ss#?
Sandra W.
Sorry the area code is 210
Lula A.
I got a call I know now was a scamer please call me back I gave them some information now I know they wasn’t real please help me I have been calling ssi all day and haven’t got a call back yet my number is 5672776278 please help me get to the bottom of this.
Craig S.
I received a call from a woman who said she was from social security. She asked many personal info. from me. She said her name was Patricia Stella. She also said to call her at 1-855-249-4342 at extension 2085630. Is it ok or have I been scammed?
Thank you
Kenny O.
Hello Craig. Thank you for checking with us. On occasion, our employees will contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. We may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other pending business with our office.
That said, please continue to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, or email messages. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the organization. Avoid providing personal information unless you are certain of the person’s authority to have that information. Hope this helps. Thanks!
Lynne G.
Sir I also received call from 212-777-3456 stating they were from SSA and my social would be blocked and no longer valid. He said my name and number was involved in drug and money laundering cases in excess of $9,000.00. We were then disconnected and he never called back. Does this sound suspicious?
Vonda V.
Hi Lynne. 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.
Thomas R.
I just had the exact thing happen to me. They called from 202-631-7700. I was so scared because I was told an arrest warrant had been issued. Then call was disconnected.
Thomas Rouell
GHISLAIN I.
hello dears all
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sending to you today
happy new year and great congratulation
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Ghislain Ivan abel BLANLEUIL
DOMAINE DE LABADIE A MAUPAS
32240 ESTANG FRANCE
Tim W.
I got a call from 8664313875 ext 31303 is this spam
Adhitya N.
Protecting information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to secure with only call official phone numbers and use secured websites of the agencies and businesses. Adhitya Nugraha Novianta
azure
“frauds and scams are an unfortunate part of doing business online” in part because the US gov’t, while happy to have the NSA intercept & store e-mails of citizens (who believes the NSA stopped because Congress told it to) yet somehow neither feds nor states can be bothered to protect the online privacy & security of citizens & legal residents. Far better that corporations be able to maximize their short terms profits & minimize their costs (like the cost of maintaining database, et al security).
Irene O.
It happened to me. Even went to offices and found out it was fraud. But after waiting all day. Couldn’t get any information on phone. Disgusting!!
char o.
I have gotten a call from 706-298-8630 stating that this was a call from SSA stating I had fraudulent activity against my social security number. I doubt that this is legitimate so I wanted to pass along the phone number so the SSA can do legal follow up on who ever is at the other end of this phone number. Also I would like to get feedback on what action the SSA took against this person(s).
Kathy
I received 6 calls today with the same thing. I didn’t answer cause I was at work. they left a voice mail saying the same thing. the number is 410-774-4310. that is coming out of Crofton Maryland.
G
I had two calls so far today leaving that exact voicemail on my phone. The numbers I received that voicemail and call from were 800-467-5499 and 866-114-2038. Two different numbers leaving the same voicemail. They said they were suspending my SS# due to suspicious activity and to press on for more info thank you. The whole voicemail does not flow well and is from two different numbers, 100% sure this is a fraudulent call.
Chris Y.
Be aware also if you have caller ID of calls that say it is from Medicare. It is NOT unless you have contacted them previously and they said they will return a call.
There seems to be some companies selling back and knee braces who caller ID will identify as Medicare. They are NOT Medicare. I used to not pick up the phone if I didn’t know the caller but in the days of so many robo callers if the Caller ID identifies as a charity etc I just pick up the phone and set it aside until the call terminates. I do that as I learned that these robo callers keep calling until someone answers. I do NOT speak at all to them. Good luck to all and be careful.
Joyce A.
Thank you for posting this I thought they were legit but thankfully I didn’t give any info.