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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Mary D.
How do I report a scam call from a fake and threatening S.S., wanting money?
A.C.
Hi, Mary. Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Katrina
Is officer Kellie Jones calling you from the Department of Social Security Administration the reason you have received a phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions have been filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly call us back on our hotline number 781-332-5719 I repeat that is 781-332-5719 Don’t disregard this notice and do return the call before we begin with the legal proceedings against you thank you if you wish to speak with our executive then press one now.
I blocked this number and they called back using 316-444-3823, same robo call.
A.C.
Hi, Katrina. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Claudia
Be careful! I just received over 10 phone calls from this number: (818) 550-4297 asking me for my son’s social security number or case number to confirm an appointment for “disability”.
Caller became upset when I mentioned that I would go in person to ask about the “appointment for disability”. I feel they are scammers beware! I’m going in person to the office tomorrow to check in on what is going on with that.
A.C.
Hi, Claudia. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Jo A.
I received a call from 561-526-8376 stating there has been fraudulent activity with Social Security number. I did not speak to them, it is was a recording but I feel it is fraudulent. I thought I should report it just in case it was from you all. Thank you, Please respond
L.A.
Hi Jo. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Melanie R.
I received a phone call from a recorded message that said it was my final call and my SS may be suspended, something about taxes. Their phone number was (844) 588 3632.
L.A.
Hi Melanie. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Kim
Where can I go to report a phone number for these SSN scammers without having to jump through a bunch of hoops.
L.A.
Hi Kim. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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.
S
I heard they’re randomly handing out money from SSA. Apparently to retirees, elderly, etc. Is this true?
L.A.
Hi. We do not hand out money. Thank you for telling us about a this false rumor. Suspicious rumors related to fraud allegations should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. We hope this helps.
JOEL H.
Again someone clameing to be ssi called me today. Should I report the phone number to some agency?
L.A.
Hi Joel. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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.
R. R.
Why can’t you at least express hope that our Government is going after these people? The man who has called me two times (at least it sounds like the same man) is obviously not terribly well-honed in thinking and speaking English. He says he is located in California, but of course will not tell you where in CA. He says he has information on my SS file. But nothing he says reveals that this is true. He says the Social Security Administration is canceling our Social Security. I told him that news would come from our Government and not someone like him calling from nowhere. I tried to keep him on the line long enough to question where he was calling from (obviously far away), where his office is (California), where in California his office is located (no answer), state again why you are calling (double talk, no real cogent response), and on and on and on. Finally, as best I could tell, someone came along to him and told him to end the call. He did so, promptly..
Patricia T.
Today I received a phone call from the supposed “Social Security Administration”, stating that my social security card had been canceled due to be compromised. I told him he had the wrong number, and that it was virtually impossible to do this, since he was calling The American Red Cross office. He said then why did you call me. I said I didn’t call you, you called me and then I hung up. What people won’t try to complete a scam.
A.C.
Hi, Patricia. Thank you for checking in with us. You are correct. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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.