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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Dorothy S.
844-677-9369
Every night about 6:30 I get this phone call saying my social security number has been suspended as it has been compromised. I actually got a person on the phone who first asked for my name. When i said you called me you should know – he got very rude and said if you are not going to cooperate you will pay the price – that sounded like a serious threat.
A.C.
Hi, Dorothy. 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.
Von
Someone called me claiming from Social Security just now from 866-289-7489 and I called them back to tell them I was going to call the police and report them and he said
“go ahead and then I am going to come and f___k you.
How do they get away with this?
A.C.
Hi, Von. 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.
Debra
This # 469-680-8900 Harassing continually calls saying, “ You have reached a legal mediation office there is a pending case in my office involving your name and your Social Security number it is imperative that I hear back from you or your retained attorney regarding these allegations if I do not hear back from you or your retained attorney at one today I will have no choice but to move forward with the case that I have your before me my direct number is 469-680-8900 again 469-630-8900 this is a time sensitive matter and it does require your immediate attention thank you…”
I H.
I was called twice today by two different telephone numbers both originating from Texas, 361-202-0066 and 361-240-0531 saying they were from Social Security and that there was an arrest warrant out for my arrest and when I called the number they answered “Social Security Administration”. Where is the FCC???? What about the FBI????? Where is the protection we Americans pay so dearly for????? What are these organizations doing with our money, they sure are “NOT” protecting us!!!!!!
L.A.
Hi. 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.
Myron S.
Phone # (361) 392-4471 from Texas Has called me several times to inform me that my social security # will be suspended if I don’t call another # They even went as far as to give me a case #.
L.A.
Hi Myron. 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.
James p.
Received call from 361-392-4470 (texas#)claiming to be SSI. And claiming my SSI account would be deleted if I didn’t call. Did not return call. This is 2nd time in last 2 weeks I have been called by 361 area code .
L.A.
Hi James. 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.
milffox
My wife lost 30K+ by these scam call, I was able to get in touch with them d time by calling to say we have more money in the bank so that police can track, while the scammer on the call I went to police station and ask them to track it down now, they said they can t. What a shame, we don t have technology to nail down these scammers, no-one helping us none of the government organization Police, FBI, FTC, Social security office, Senator you name it. We have complained everywhere we can. All of them taking reports but no action, It’s my hardly earned money is gone with the name of trusted government agencies. What Government doing about it ?.
L.A.
Hi Milffox. 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.
Colleen S.
I had someone call from social security. They asked if I could hear them I said yes and they hung up. Should I worry?
L.A.
Hi Colleen. 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.
Melissa E.
I just received a call from number 1-513-168-0156
that stated the social security was filing charges and has a warrant out for my arrest do I need to be concerned?
Mike J.
You’re joking, right? It’s a scam. How gullible can people be??
L.A.
Hi Melissa. 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.
Bruce J.
I just received a phone call from +1 (855) 444-2227 stating they were the United States Social Security Administration with a problem with my Social Security account. I was able to call them back at that number, as they left me a voicemail on my cell phone. I’m reporting this to be taken care of by the proper authorities. Thank you, Bruce Pastinack
L.A.
Hi Bruce. 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.