Beware of Social Security Scams
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 30, 2021
Social Security phone scams are the #1 type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission and Social Security. Over the past year, these scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Social Security encourages you to use the new online form to report Social Security phone scams to disrupt the scammers and help us reduce this type of fraud, and reduce the number of victims.
“We are taking action to raise awareness and prevent scammers from harming Americans,” said Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security. “I am deeply troubled that our country has not been able to stop these crooks from deceiving some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Social Security employees will occasionally contact you by telephone or mail for business purposes if you have ongoing business with the agency. However, Social Security employees will not:
- Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended.
- Contact you to demand an immediate payment.
- Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card, or cash.
- Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.
- Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.
Remember that Social Security employees will never threaten you. If there’s a problem with your Social Security record, Social Security will mail you a letter. If Social Security needs you to submit payments, the agency will provide instructions in the letter, including options to make those payments.
“Awareness is our best hope to thwart the scammers,” said Gail Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security. “Tell your friends and family about them and report them to us when you receive them, but most importantly, just hang up and ignore the calls.”
You can learn more on our press release.
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Tags: fraud
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Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Catherine
I have received multiple spam calls lately. The numbers calling me are: 1800-034-8429, 1800-296-7871, 1800-354-7071, 1800-644-3228.
Ann C.
Hi, Catherine. 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.
Calvin O.
Been getting a scam call from 786-706-9569 Miami Fl saying that criminal activity has been found on my SS#, and to call this number.
Ann C.
Hi, Calvin. 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.
Vincent T.
Thank you for the warning my wife and I have had many attempts again thank you!
Patrick E.
Already had 2 calls be careful with phone calls
James S.
i been getting calls on how to apply for disability i twell them i am on in already they hang up
Jeff H.
I’ve gotten several calls from people saying my SS# has been suspended and I needed to give them information to “un-suspend” it. It’s a total scam conducted by vultures praying on people’s vulnerability and trustful nature. Those conducting these scams need to be exposed, tried, and imprisoned for the crimes they are committing on innocent people. Good to know the SSA is aware of and on top of these scams.
Crystal V.
I’ve got several voicemails about this; glad I’ve checked the website!!
Randy T.
Got a call from 800-255-6195. Said Social Security had issued a warrant for me. Asked name , told them a name of a dead friend. They said they pulled up the file. wanted my address. Told them I wss a Marshall. they hung up
Patricia A.
Hello, the same thing happened to me but, somehow the call me from social security phone number the 1800 number saying I owe social security and I hang up and call social security asking them if they called me and they said no so I know that was a scam.
Patricia A.
I thank you for the warning, I get several calls from different numbers and often somehow they use social security 1800 number saying they have a warrant out for my arrest because I owe social security but, then I call social security office and they tell me it’s a scam and they did not call me, I’ve been scammed out of $5,00.00 and got evicted from my home so I’m being very cautious now I’m on a fixed income and I don’t have any money for scammers so thank you for the warning alert.
Ann C.
Hi, Randy. 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.
Byron T.
Your message is very encouraging and helpful
Michael A.
Been getting phony calls or scam calls from 409 204 4947
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Michael. 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.
Anna H.
4692034507 got a call and a voicemail from this number saying there are charges against me. Demanding my social which I fucked up and gave to them bc I didn’t know it was a scam. They said they were officers or something and what state I was in. It was really weird how can I fix this??
Ann C.
Hi, Anna. If you suspect identity theft, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). To learn more about the steps individuals can take to prevent or resolve issues of identity theft, read our publication, Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps.
Judith W.
Received call from 585-226-1693 in Avon, NY informing me that my social security had been suspended. Did not respond because I know SS would not inform me on the phone.
dea
Just got a Fraud Call from 443-241-049
Janet C.
I am getting e-mail messages from titled “my Social Security” Account message center @ssa.gov telling me to log in to my account.
Ron W.
844-815-8996 scammers wanting me to pull all my money out of bank and buy gift cards
Ann C.
Hi, Judith. 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.
April S.
Getting a call from 1-888-499-9829
They sound like they are from India. No offense to India people, just saying what they sound like. I block the number and report it. Be careful, if you get a recording that sounds like a computer, HANG UP and report it. I get a call from these people every week with a different number but same recording.