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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Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Bruce L.
I received another phone call today, 02/25/20 at 02:12pm, from a person who said she was an “Agent” from the Social Security office stating that my Social Security account had been frozen and to push “1” to connect with a person who could help me resolve the problem. I hung up on them and recorded the phone # that my recorder said they called from: 872-679-3578; maybe / maybe not. I receive similar calls once or twice per week. HELP.
Jerry P.
I received two call about my social security number has suspicious activity. 1 call # (800) 998-7783 the 2nd is (901) 425-0828 How do I find out if this is a scam
Thomas S.
Received a call and message on voicemail says my social security number would be canceled if i didn’t call back. Is this a scam?
Barbara
I get these calls daily
Raheem W.
I have received to scam calls from two different phone numbers saying my Social Security has been blocked due to fraudulent activity and to call some phone number and these are the two phone numbers that called my cell phone 1 605-789-5837 and 1 916-865-5378, and thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Raheem. 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.
Margaret O.
15672638104 called to say criminal activity on my soc security and it will be suspended if I don’t call back. I am not calling back. Hope you catch these evil people
A.C.
Hi, Margaret. 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.
Lee-Marie
Received another call today from 866 896-0243 Posing as SSA claiming there was now an investigation and a lawsuit and trying to get info. Bad robotic call prompts a return call . Foreign accented voices in what sounds like a call center. Same thing different day. Is anyone trying to stop these guys? I’ve received virtually the same call from 3 different numbers over the last. 3 or 4 months. I’ve reported the numbers and it seems as if nothing is happening to these people. They must have s hell of a loop hole. Last I checked it was against the law to poss as a federal office representative if any kind.
Denise N.
I got a Call said that it was from Social Security, 2/6/2020 at 1:53 pm from phone number 301-709-4132 ,the reason the call is that my social security number has temporally suspended for criminal activity, and he asked do give a call back in that number above and if i don’t call back , I will be a arrest, this is in the voicemail. I know this a scam. I want to report that. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Denise. 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.
Joe D.
215-597-5657 called and wanted my ss # I wouldn’t give it.said he needed more info for the retirement claim I filed. The 215 # is disconnected so I hung up
A.C.
Hi, Joe. 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.
William E.
I continue to receive recorded messages by telephone saying that my SSA number has been compromised and that I should call # 850 397 3801.
Please prevent these calls from happening again.
Thank you for your help.
A.C.
Hi, William. 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.