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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Edward N.
+1 (832) 699-0215
Houston, TX Called it back and they said that they were the social security office and I got the call because there is a problem with my status and I will be arrested. I’m born an raised 5th generation Scottish American.
L.A.
Hi Edward. 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 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.
Angela B.
I am receiving a ridiculous amount of calls from the SSA, stating my SS number has been compromised. I have reported it to the DO NOT CALL registry. Each call is from a different number. Do not fall for these scam phone calls!
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Angela. 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 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.
Traci F.
Scammers calling told me they froze my ss #
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Traci. 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 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.
Sondra J.
I continue to receive calls claiming they are calling from the social security office and my social security has been compromised I immediately hang up. I receive SS monthly and my account is active .
A.C.
Hi, Sondra. Thanks for checking in with us. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Jimmy W.
How can I get scammer to stop calling me on my cell phone? Yesterday and today I have had several call from multiple numbers stating that “either my SSN has been suspended because of fraudulent use or my name has been involved in misuse of SSI or benefits will be suspended.” Here is a partial list of Caller ID numbers: 877-512-3851, 800-875-3760,907-679-6548, 800-434-7721
L.A.
Hi Jimmy. Thanks for checking in with us. We understand your frustration. We are informing the public about these calls through TV and radio commercials, our website, our toll free number, as well as our Social Media sites. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Kim T.
A message was on my phone saying there was unusual activity with my SSI. Call was Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 @ 5:20 pm. When I pressed redial, it took me to SSI scam alert number. Please contact me to tell me what’s going on. I will not give my SSI # to anyone. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Kim. Thanks for checking in with us. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
James K.
I received an automated call claiming to be from the SSA and threatening claims against me if I do not collect my information and respond immediately. I hung up. Reading through the comments here the phone number 641-269-5208 has already been reported at least once!
Mary
I received an automated call, alerted as potential spam, on my phone threatening me to take action against a claim. If anyone else gets a call it had a call back number of 6412265208.
James K.
I just received an automated call from the same number threatening me as well!
L.A.
Hi Mary. Thanks for checking in with us. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Thanks, Mary. 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.
Nancy
I GOT A CALL TODAY, SEPT.24,2019 FROM 300-906-4445 THREATENING TO THROW ME IN JAIL IF I DID NOT COOPERATE BY GIVING OUT MY PERSONAL INFORMATION!! THIS IS SCARY! HOW DO THESE PEOPLE GET OUR PHONE NUMBERS? IT WAS IF THEY KNEW I WAS A SENIOR AND PRAYED OM ME BECAUSE OF IT!! WHAT CAN WE DO?
L.A.
Hi Nancy. Thanks for checking in with us. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Social S.
Yes, they can loot all your money merely by threatening you by blocking your card. You must file a report to nearest social security office as well as to local police station for this.