Frauds & Scams

Beware of Social Security Scams

November 19, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last 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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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. michael a.

    Received a phone call saying my Social Security account was compromised. The phone number was from 202-539-8997.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Michael. 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.

  2. MarthaB

    I have received two calls telling me that my SS number has been suspended, and that a warrant has been issued for my arrest. I hung up both times. The phone number from which the call came could not be connected.
    My neighbor received a similar call.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Martha. 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.

  3. F T.

    If the calling party says he/she is from the Social Security, just hang up!!

  4. Ed

    Got a call from 281-916-3338 in Texas.
    They told me my SS number was used in a money laundering and drug activity. In order to avoid arrest by my local authority (NY), I would need to cooperate with them. They had my name and address, but according to them, I live inside a post office box!
    Anyhow, I strung them along to see how far they would go to get me to state my social security number to them.
    I couldn’t take it any longer, so I said I have them on a recording and I am going to call my lawyer to share their information. End of conversation.

  5. Janet T.

    What about a recorded message saying you are being sued for fraud? I get those a lot. It scares me because one of these days I’m not going to get a monthly deposit. My health depends on my monthly deposits.

    • John J.

      SSA would never stop or alter your payment without sending a Notice of Planned Action with appeal rights.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Janet. 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.

  6. Yuko F.

    Another scam call from 914-835-1511. Someone has to stop these idiots.

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Yuko. 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.

  7. Sarah A.

    I just got a call. The number was 800-592-9462. The most troubling thing is they told me my name, last 4 digits of my SSN, and my address. I did not give them any information. I told the girl she was full of shit after she said my SSN was suspended for illegal activity. She used some choice words, worse than mine, and hung up on me.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Sarah. 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.

  8. Lisa B.

    I have been getting numerous robocalls about criminal activity on my SS#. The latest was from Mount Holly springs, PA from 1-717-323-4347 telling me to call that number before I get arrested. I just ignore them but getting very annoying especially when they come on my cell phone.

  9. barbara

    I keep receiving them too,,,,,yesterday was from 1 515 446 9673 amkeny iowa…..company name is Quest Corp…..their second call to me…I do not pick up….

  10. cynthia m.

    Thanks for the information about scammers

Comments are closed.