Frauds & Scams

Beware of Scams During this Holiday Season

December 22, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: February 5, 2021

Beware of Scams During this Holiday SeasonWe continue to receive reports about scam phone calls and emails from people claiming to be Social Security employees. Don’t fall for it. Those calls and emails are from scammers trying to trick you into providing personal information or money, and often threaten their victims with arrest. This holiday season, we ask that you remain extra vigilant of these fraud tactics.

While our employees are conducting most business by phone due to the pandemic, we want to remind you that our employees will never:

  • Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
  • Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended.
  • Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
  • Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
  • Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
  • Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

If you owe money to Social Security, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.

If you receive a suspicious call or email, or you’re unsure of the identity of someone who claims to be from Social Security:

Please share this message with your family and friends — because scammers never take a holiday break.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Linda S.

    Someone’s calling me from 1- 915 -615 – 6495 and leaving messages saying if I don’t contact them immediately that they will cut off my social security check . Is this a scam ?

    • Vonda

      Thanks for letting us know, Linda. 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.

  2. Cinco d.

    scams and for 2021 holidays they must be curious about https://cincodemayofood.com/cinco-de-mayo-food-recipes/

  3. Emilie L.

    Received an email to call Ms. S. Greene at 1.877.593.3955, ext. 60096 about receiving benefits and start date. Wanting to make sure this is legitimate.

  4. Castadaro L.

    Watch from hacker

  5. cheryl f.

    Yesterday i did pick up the phone from a 623 area code, it said this is a rep from ss please call me no number just click it was a taped recording . I also had another taped phone call this caller is disability information click i blocked that number ! If i see the number again i’ll write it down i know it had 623 8 something it didn’t look familar but the Marrott keeps calling to get a free nite which i finally blocked too.

  6. Aden

    Good article.

    British Propolis Office website https://britishpropolisoffice.com/

  7. PH

    A supposed representative from our local office called me today, and he provided me with all the identifying information. Said it was in regards to closing out something, that he had my address and would send me a letter. It was pertaining to an ex spouse, and that I may be entitled to some of their SS for Medicare. Of course I didn’t understand what the heck he was talking about, but, he tried dilligently to clarify. Said he was working on another case and my name and SS number came up in relation to it. I asked him for a badge or employee number, he could only give me an 800 number and an extension. He said go ahead, call and ask if anyone named C…..worked there, and they would verify. THAT sounded sketchy too. Could this be a scam?

    • Vonda

      Thanks for checking in with us, PF. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. It sounds like the representative may be inquiring about potential Social Security benefits for you on ex-spouse’s record. To check on eligibility, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. 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.

      • PH

        Thank You, Vonda. I figure I’ll wait and see if this guy, C…. sends me what ever form he said he would mail me. He said I have time. Just do it 6mo before I turn 65! Not for several whiles yet!!!! Happy New Year.

    • Nick G.

      My father has received the same call. He said the caller told him he may be able to draw more from my deceased mother’s SS account. However, my stepfather (deceased mother’s husband) is still living and presumably is drawing those monies. I’ve spent the entire evening attempting to better understand this.

      My father is too trusting, and I am concerned he gave out personal info that he should not have.

      Does the SS offices record or log phone call communications? Would it be possible to verify the phone call somehow?

      • Vonda

        Hi Nick, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone if they have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Both your father and step-father could collect survivor benefits on the same record. To see if Social Security did make that call to your father, he would need to call his local office. 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.

  8. peter a.

    Text Heading :
    MESSAGE FROM SSA

    I just received a text message from a MS Suggs asking me to call her @ 855 897 4927 ext. 27753 before tomorrow 1/6/21

    • Vonda

      Hi Peter: Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only send you a text message if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. To see if Social Security sent the text, you would need to call your local office. 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.

  9. Juan A.

    Is this (below) a legitimate SSA email? It looked suspicious to me so I did not respond or click on the link.:

    We’d like to remind you to review your Social Security Statement online. The Statement has important Social Security information and, if applicable, estimates of your future benefits.

    If you are working, we encourage you to check your Statement yearly to make sure your earnings record is correct. The Statement also will help in planning your financial future.

    To view your most recent Statement, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/reviewyourstatement and sign in to your account.

    On June 10, 2017, we added a second method to verify your identity each time you sign in to your account. This is in addition to your username and password. Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and fraud. Now, when you sign in to your account you will complete two steps:

    Step 1: Enter your username and password.
    Step 2: Enter the security code we send you by text message or email, depending on your choice (your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply).
    With instant access to your Social Security Statement at any time, you will no longer receive one periodically in the mail, saving money and the environment. Thank you for Going Green!

    Please do not reply to this email, as we are unable to respond to messages sent to this address.

    • Vonda

      Hi Juan, thanks for checking in with us. The email you received is legitimate and was sent to those with a personal my Social Security account. The informational email was to encourage individuals to check their Social Security Statement on an annual basis. We hope this helps!

      • Mary M.

        Why would Social Security send an email directing a beneficiary to an unsecured website (http:)? I would never have clicked on this link he received!

  10. Petra S.

    Hi, if you want to earn extra money, I offer you a simple job. Fill in the paid surveys.

    https://www.ysense.com/?rb=59429643

    • Castadaro L.

      Watch from hacket

Comments are closed.