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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Teresa H.
I have been receiving numerous calls a day from the same number with a prerecorded message that SS is filing arrest warrant for me. The name that shows up on my caller ID is Susan E O’Dell with the number 303-345-8635. I don’t want people to believe the caller and give information
Jennie
I had a scam call yesterday. They were telling me my SS card # had to me cancelled. The phone number they were using was 808-717-7634. I hung up and blaokced them.
L.A.
Jennie, 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.
Lonnie H.
Just received a scam Social Security message when I did not answer my phone. They wrote. This call is from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you received this phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you… Was this transcription useful?
L.A.
Hi Lonnie. 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.
Raymond R.
Received call claiming to be Social Security agent saying SSN payments were being suspended due to suspicious activity. Asked to punch #1 to assistance.
Call from (714) 829-2988
I hung up.
Greg T.
received call from 343-308-1051 (Canada) today with Caller ID “Kanatassvl On” — electronic message left identified caller as SSA Crime and investigation department stating they needed to speak with me as soon as possible!
Hopefully this info will help someone from being taken advantage of, or investigators identity and punish those responsible.
Fraudulent cold-calling, especially from outside the U.S. needs to be included with other forms of terrorism, and handled appropriately!
Sylviia
Hi my name is sylvia Diaz I received a calll from this number 1-800-198-7445 stating that was social security Administration
L.A.
Hi Sylvia. Thank you 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.
donna j.
have had several calls from these numbers they are gone now but they said I am in trouble in texas for 30000 and drug trafficating they had my social number and said I would not get anymore ss utill this issue is cleared up the name the guy gave was trevor jones with a id number ck231462 he also spoke of a kyle Williamson with a number ir201407 they speak broken English ive tried to reach alive person with no luck I depend soley on my ss they also stated this was a legitamte call please help me
A.C.
Hi, Donna. 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.
Candice F.
My uncle began bullying and threatening me when taking care of my father through open heart surgery. I am an RNP. He then told my father this horrible lie about his daughter putting him in a nursing home. Since I was threatened with arrest and murder I kept my distance. I was a single mother of 4. Dad sold his house in 2014, and guess who put him in a residential care home? No nurses on staff. He died 6 weeks later. I was put in a head grip and forced to tell him where the documents were. He used my dads money to hire 3 attorneys to say “I was meant to be disinherited “. He tore the original up and doctored up the computer document. Attorneys are evil people. He stole 5 million giving his children and grandchildren nothing and the law did nothing. A criminal case in a civil one. And he was never mentioned. He didn’t even finish my dads gravestone.
M/M J.
Both my wife and I have been getting the message you
described. What do we do to cancel it out, we disconnect the computer, wait several minutes, reconnect the power then hold the start button for 3o seconds, then try to restart, it works most times BUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY TIMES.
What are we doing wrong ?
A.C.
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. Thanks, again.
G
These guys are really bad at it. Indian fellow asked my name, and after just giving him my first name he said “ok let me look up your file.” I said wait, don’t you need both to find me? I literally tell him my name is Joesph Geobbels and he returned 3 mins later saying he found my file. I trolled him pretty hard and then he got all tough saying he was an “officer” blah blah blah.