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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ROBERT H.
I have had 3 ccalls saying my ss was being suspended..I just hung up..
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Robert. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
S. K.
I just received a fraudulent call from (352) 579-1361 stating they were the Social Security Administration and that my SSN had been used illegally and that an arrest warrant had been issued for me and for me to call them back at the same number to speak with the investigating officer. I called and they answered as being the Social Security Administration’s Ongoing Investigations Department and to whom I stated that the SSA does not call people and that they contact them by mail and they immediately hung up. DEFINITELY FRAUD and stupid enough to use a valid phone number to perpetuate the fraud.
Rex A.
I rec’d a scam call @ 5:25 PM Central time from 667-736-2682 trying to get my info. by saying they were blocking my SS due to suspicious activity. Computer transferred me to live person that spoke with very heavy middle eastern accent. I did NOT give info but hung up on them.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Rex. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
betty j.
applied for Social security and got a scam call wanting additonal information
L.A.
Hi Betty. That phone call may have been one of our representatives from our local Social Security office. To confirm if it was one of our representatives, you can call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm. We hope this helps.
Gilbert
Recieved phone call indicating my acct had been deactivated due to suspicious activity. Tried to call SS (LONG WAIT). Please advise.
L.A.
Hi Gilbert. 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps
Deianna C.
I Creed residence just had a suspicious phone callon our landline phone (940)964-2201 from Officer 667F3211 Robert spencer reporting to be with the SS office and as i started asking him his info he asked my name and i said Deianna Creed then hung up on me i tried to call the number back numbers of time please help investigate this his Number was1(760)203-4255 My number you can contact me asap. thank you kindley
A.C.
Hi, Deianna. Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Sherrese M.
My name is Sherrese McGill and I have been scammed by someone pretending to be Social services indicating I have been durg traffiing in Texas and renting Cars and Aprtments in my name can I please receive a notification that my social number and ID is not being tapered can I please be reached.
S.M
Received a call posing as SS threatening legal action from 718-785-9626. I called back asking if he WAS in fact Social Security and was promptly hung up on. I worry about the elderly when a threatening phone call like this comes to them.
L.A.
Hi S.M. 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.
Joy
If you get a voicemail from someone stating that you are going to be arrested for fraud and your case has been to the grand jury. That you need to call them back at this number 833-682-2350 ASAP don’t do it. It’s a fake. They don’t ask for a name of any kind so who is it that they say there is an arrest warrant for? There is more then 1 person living in my house and we don’t all have the same name. HOW STUPID DO THESE SCAMMERS THINK WE ARE. There the STUPID ONES to think we would fall for there CRAP.. I was born at night but it wasn’t last night.
L.A.
Hi Joy. 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.
Joy
I am still waiting for the police to show up at my door to arrest me and it’s been over a year since they called to let me know I was going to be arrested for fraud on my ssi# and tax fraud too and still get the same calls even now I never give information about me but I do tell them well if you are from ssi or the irs you already have all my personal information so how about you tell me who I am. Still waiting for my ride to the pokie. The police must be coming by turtle cause they ain’t here yet. Sure hope the turtle has room enough for me and the police.
L.A.
Hi Joy. 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.