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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Roosevelt H.
First I got a call that is a warrant for my arrest.. now they’re saying my social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity…
L.A.
Hi Roosevelt. 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you 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). In addition, you can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). To order your credit report go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. For more information, check out our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps.
Annoyed
Suspected Scam- 281-839-2182
At 5:47 EST on July 16th,2019, I recieved a phone call, it was a message saying your social security number is being suspended, legal actions filed against your social security number for fraudulent activites in Texas. Kindly call 281-839-2182. I suspect this is a scam, because you social security number can not get suspended. And the SSA wouldn’t call and ask you to verify anything. So, I call number back. a guy answers the phone, “yo” or “hello”,”what was your call in to regards to, he spoke broken English.
L.A.
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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you 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). In addition, you can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). To order your credit report go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. For more information, check out our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps.
Estella D.
My boy friend just received a call this morning telling him that they needed more inf .for his insurance so he was sleeping at the time of the call and he gave them his info plus social security number now he doesn’t know what to to can there be something done so they won’t try to get him in trouble
Estela D.
My boy friend just received a call this morning telling him that they needed more inf .for his insurance so he was sleeping at the time of the call and he gave them his info plus social security number now he doesn’t know what to to can there be something done so they won’t try to get him in trouble
Jon
So I got this call from this guy 281-845-2816 I was really confused and afraid I’m just a young kid looking for help but please help me
L.A.
Hi Jon. 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.
StPatsBaby
Got the call last week from scammer BUT the really annoying part is that they keep using legitimate businesses’ caller ID.. Last week it was HERB CHAMBERS BUICK. Told the guy he was scum and should be ashamed of himself.
Cori
They call me almost everyday. One scammer told me my ssn was used in a illegal act and to contact them to get this resolved. They should know I can’t be scammed.i never answer the calls but I do get a lot of messages from them.
Derek H.
I have received approximately 15 phone calls on my cell phone in the last 24 hours from different phone numbers (some not even with 10 digits), all with a recorded message from “Social Security Administration” claiming that my social security number has been suspended and press 1 to find out more information. I wish someone could prosecute this kind of harassment from these scammers.
John C.
Received recorded call from (469) 712-6085 purporting to be from the SSA, notifying me that my account was about to be suspended. It told me to call back in order to prevent my account from being suspended. I did not return the call and have blocked that number.
A.C.
Hi, John. Thanks for letting us know. 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.
D. M.
We just received a call from 4152181322. They call my wife and a recored message said “their was a warrant out for her arrest for fraudulent activity using her social security number. Press one to speak to an officer”. While speaking to a foreign sounding person they hunged up.
Told my wife to always hang up on those calls.
A.C.
Hi, D.M. Thanks for letting us know. 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.