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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Vanessa M.
Hello. I received a letter about my son social security SSI benefit stating that it was a tax fraud and all original documents must be present in an appointment that was set for December 13th 2019 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. . It never said what documents needed to be brought and what was the fraud. The letter was never clear about what was needed or was not in full detail but it had my sons social security number on there what a stamp urgent. I received letters before about my son’s benefits and it was never in this type of format. I am very concerned. This fraud is getting out of hand.
L.A.
Hi Vanessa. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind that we do send letters and notifications to beneficiaries. However, if you or anyone receives a suspicious letter or call saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious letters or calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Charlene D.
I am a Retired SSN employee, since 2002. I have been pestered by the SSA office in Texas, for the past 6 months. They have informed me that my name and SSN has been use in Texas for illegal drug smuggling, money laundering, illegal use of rental cars, hotel rooms and there are at least 22 different bank accounts of illegal drug monies under my name, plus transmitting money to the far East (Iran, India, Afganistan, and Pakistan, etc).to pay for the illegal drugs. I have informed them that I do not live in Texas as I live in Utah. They have stated that there is an ARREST WARRANT issued under my name. They have threatened to close down my SSN and issue me a new SSN. They will not give me phone number, but only “click on number 1 to talk to a man of SSA authority/Attorney General/ Inspection officer, etc”. I have asked them to track down and arrest the culprits due to ” IDENTITY THEFT”. I also have at least 20-25 messages on my voice mail from these employees -figures of SSN. In the beginning, they gave me couple of toll free (877) numbers, but when I return the call, they state: “The number you called is not in use”
.Is this one of those scams?
L.A.
Hi Charlene. 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.
Kevin S.
I have recently been scammed by a person that stated he was a federal employee in the federal grant department whom I was compromised by my hacking my father’s best wife’s account through FB. She or should I say this scammed artist took over her account and said all the things I person I have known since I was a toddler and stated I needed to pay $1200.00 for a 45k grant. Stated that it had to be paid by money cards which I fell prey of for I had no reason to think that I lifelong friend would steer me in a wrong and-or bad decision. Is there any type of organization that helps in these type of situations? If so, please let me know. Thank you. Kevin Smith 214-558-6513
L.A.
Hi Kevin. 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.
Brian S.
I attempted to file electronically for Medicare a week or 2 ago. The process did not end with a SUBMIT or FINISHED or similar pronouncement, so I am still unsure of whether my filing went through.
So I have been on hold over an hour today hoping to find out. The online application should make clear when the applicant is done.
Thanks.
Brian Sheppard
Don C.
Got one today from 833-305-6272. Wish there was some way to stop this madness.
Emma N.
Just don’t answer the phone if you don’t recognize the number. I stopped answering calls from numbers I don’t know a long time ago. I cut off my voice answering so they couldn’t leave a msssage even. I also can see the State on my phone where the call is coming from and if I don’t State, which I never do I just don’t answer my phone. It’s as simple as that. Too bad there seems to be no way that these people can be stopped from annoying others. where do they get our numbers from anyway. I am way up in Canada, and I still get a couple or more calls a week.
L.A.
Hi Don. 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.
Philip A.
Just received a scam call about my social security acct being blocked. The call was from
1-800-814-3616. Earlier this week the same call was from 1-800-953-8438. Last week and the week before the same calls. Will it ever end? They don’t give up. Is there nothing that can be done?
Ka L.
Just now got a call from the number (410) 524-6528 Ocean City, MD saying my social security number is being used in suspicious and criminal activities… wtheck! And then I try calling back and it says the number I failed is not in service.
L.A.
Hi Ka. 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 M.
Impossible to print whole press release. Can I get a press release or a poster warning my clients?
L.A.
Hi William. Please direct your clients to our Frequently Asked Questions for information on the scam calls. We hope this helps.
Marlene
These folks are busy! Just got one saying they found activity on my account and I should call 9412080489. Delete!
L.A.
Hi Marlene. 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.
Bill M.
Just got a call from 585-226-1693 telling me there was an urgent issue with my social security and I need to call 585-226-1693 immediately.
Instead I googled the number and this page was 2nd down in the search results warning that its a scam.
My compliments to your department for keeping up on this.
L.A.
Hi Bill. 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.