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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Diane H.
I received a phone call from a man claiming to be a Federal Officer Badge # 908125, stating that I am being sued by Social Security for Fraud and wanting my personal information. I know that SSN doesn’t normally call me they mail all inquiry’s to me and wait for my response. I told the man that I wanted him to mail me the paperwork he was talking about and I would read with my Lawyer. At that point he hung up. My phone recorded the phone number he called from as 800-325-0778. I did a Google Search on that phone number. It belongs to a Funeral Home, not Social Security. I though you all might want to know this information.
Vonda V.
Hi Diane: Thank you for letting us know. If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. 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 they threaten 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.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
TEALA Y.
THIS IS A PHONE NUMBER FROM ONE OF THOSE SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMMERS…469-262-2753. PLZ CATCH THEM. THANK YOU
Vonda V.
Hi Teala: Thank you for letting us know. If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. 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 they threaten 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.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Jimmie G.
I received 10 phone calls today from phone number: 410-433-0074 claiming to be social security and they had several suspicious activities on my social security number and they were going to suspend my number if I didn’t call them back at that number.
Vonda V.
Hi Jimmie: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. 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 they threaten 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.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Mary P.
I got a call from a # 225-478-6883 saying they were SSA and that my benefits would be stopped. They called me by name … I did hang up
Vonda V.
Hi Mary: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. 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 they threaten 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.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Samir z.
Please can u send this form on my email because the mail in Egypt very bad
Natalie
Just got a call from Texas area code (214) and it said I need to call back to a different number about my benefits and my account will be stopped and possibly I’ll have a warrant out on me?. I see it is fraudulent and our offices are closed today due to weather! It is sad we have to get preyed upon.
Roberta C.
I just recieved a request for me to contact
http://www.uzawqador.com/72GoEWS
I have not contacted anyone nor have I clicked the address above. Frankly I’m afraid too! I believe this is a scammer(?)!!!!
Mariellu p.
I just received several calls from a (410)417-6492.i finally answered it and the recording said that somebody is using my ss# in fraudulent activities.when I called them back this guy frank Wilson said he was an investigator and that my ss# is being used by someone doing money laundering in Michigan.i told him you don’t sound like frank Wilson to me and that his accent was Indian from India.he said he was from africa.i told him I’ll call the social security office myself to verify this activity that he was talking about. Can you please verify if it is true.thank you very much.
Vonda V.
Hi Mariellu, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. We have written many blog posts on this.
https://blog.ssa.gov/ig-warns-public-about-fraudulent-phone-calls-threatening-arrest-or-legal-action/
https://blog.ssa.gov/beware-of-scammers-pretending-to-be-social-security/
If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online.
Vegas R.
I had been receiving a 1-800-777-25xx phone call daily from an automated recording which stated that there was fraudulent activity concerning my SSN and I should speak to a social security representative, otherwise, my social security account would be deleted. I was very suspicious of the repeated call but finally pressed 1 and spoke shortly with a female. I only stated my name (without spelling it) but stopped the conversation when she asked me to confirm my SSN. I said that if there was indeed a problem with my SSN I could resolve the matter in-person at the Social Security office. Should I be concerned about giving my first and last name over the phone? I assume that is not considered sensitive information that could be used inappropriately by scammers. No other information was given. I would appreciate any feedback on this.
Vonda V.
Hi Vegas, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online.
Susan S.
I just got a call from the Soc Sec. number and they said my benefits were being dropped. I hung up. The number on the ID was the same number as The real SS number