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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reed t.
im very scard that i might be going to jail an d she is fake her name is jessica williams fbi scam and i don’t want to get invold of fbi people sorry i just want to be free that all im not doing anything wrong im just talking to her that all her name is jessica williams i just want to no if her is fake or she is trying to steal money from me the fbi dosnt call you at all they only come to your house but i no it is a scam becuase she asked me to give her money and i dident do what she wants so she is breaking the law she she was asking me for money and i refuse i seid no i don’t have any money all i want is someone to find out what her phone number if that is ok with you 860-744-8707
reed t.
im very scard that i might be going to jail an d she is fake her name is jessica williams fbi scam and i don’t want to get invold of fbi people sorry i just want to be free that all im not doing anything wrong im just talking to her that all her name is jessica williams i just want to no if her is fake or she is trying to steal money from me the fbi dosnt call you at all they only come to your house but i no it is a scam becuase she asked me to give her money and i dident do what she wants so she is breaking the law she she was asking me for money and i refuse i seid no i don’t have any money all i want is someone to find out what her phone number if that is ok with you 860-744-8707
reed t.
i am worryed that jessica williams is going to arest me becuase she thinks she works for the gbi and i looked up her name and she is fake she stole the name from someone eils im very worred that i do not now to go to jail becuase i was talking to a scammer on line her phone number is 860-744-8707 can you look that up and see if it is a scam or real
V.V.
Thanks for checking in with us, Reed. 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.
Laura D.
I received email today from DoNotReply@ssa.gov to call before Thursday December 3, 2020 and ask for Mr. M. Van Hook. Telephone number 510-970-1351. Talk regarding Medicare entitlement.
When i called the number Mr. Van Hook was load and abrupt. Ranting about the Medicare application i made. He did not stop speaking until he finished. Is this SSA business?
V.V.
Hi Laura, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience with Social Security. We have referred your complaint to our Office of Operations to follow up and to take corrective action as necessary. You can contact your local Social Security office if you have questions. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Donald P.
I received a call from 262-694-6626 saying an invalid action occurred using my social security number.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Donald. 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.
Nancy D.
912-243-9987 left message saying they were from Soc Sec.
They wanted my soc sec # because there’s fraudulent happenings in Georgia. Listening to voice on message on here is exactly the same person that left message for me.
Thank you
nel
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Nancy. 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.
Debbie C.
How do I have my social security number flagged because I think someone had been trying to use it. I have reported it to all three credit bureau’s
V.V.
Hi Debbie, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on what you can do if you think someone is using your Social Security number.
John
Very informative post, thank you for publishing it. I think I’ve read it at https://is.gd/fsvpS6
Thomas D.
914-339-3633 just called claiming to be social security adimistraion
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Thomas. 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.
Quang
This one too 337 9678232 pretend to be SS worker to Scam, they will tell you if you don’t co-operate your bank account will be close and they try to get your ss numbers.
when I said you a scammer wath to scam people and he off the phone right away.
June W.
Dear Sir/ Madam:
Since 9/5/2020 I’ve been receiving on average about 2 calls per day from the following numbers telling me the SSA is putting me and my family in jail because of money laundering and SSA legal enforcement have taken out arrest warrant against me. Then, while listening to recording, it further indicates that I should hit #1 on my phone to download information.
I have not answered the calls and I immediately blocked them so the caller or callers are getting persistent.
I’m getting very concerned because these calls are coming too frequent. I’m a good law abiding citizen who works hard and pay my dues to society. I’m not sure why I’m targeted. Below are the numbers from which the calls came from: 301-979-9658, 301-979-6042, 301.979-1122, 301-979-3878 and 301-979-1358.
The first 6 digits of my phone number is 301-979 so I find it interesting that all the calls impersonating the SSA are close to my first 6 digits.
I will be changing my phone number over this weekend.
Many thanks for looking into this matter for me.