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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Jeanette C.
I got a message on my phone this month 11/5//19, 11/14/19,11/21/19 stating that I was using my ssn for some kind of fraud and the SS Department is filing a lawsuit and my card will be getting suspended and that a non-bailable arrest warrant will be issued, I never used ssn for anything illegal or Iet anyone use my card. I called back No such number for 3 different phone numbers. Please advice. Thank you
L.A.
Hi Jeanette. 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.
J.C. O.
I have one simple solution that derails about 95% of [ Telephone ] scammers. If the caller i.d. does not display a number from my contacts list I ignore it. If its legitimate they can send a notification via usps snail mail. This is not 100% effective method because some of the scammers can produce false caller i.d. display. Caveat Emptor !
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Brent B.
I was just contacted by phone number 321 549 6971 by a gentleman by the name of Gary. The voice mail indicated a threat of non compliance so I called back. The guy said, “thank you for calling Social Security how can I help you?” When I told him he had called me he immediately hung up.
L.A.
Hi Brent. 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.
snozzi
Can I look these up on youtube.com ?
John J.
CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THE ONGOING PHONE CALLS I GET EVERY WEEK. HERE’S A CLUE, THE LAST 2 WERE FROM CALIFORNIA
L.A.
Hi John. 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.
Rose S.
Received two emails which I believe are scams. 1 said to call 866-226-2306. When I checked this number I saw that it is associated with scam calls. I received the other around the same time that I received a genuine one from NO-REPLY@ssa.gov. The fake one was from BENEFITS.APPLICATION and it was written in very general terms: no name, no ssa number given. I reported both to the OIG and the FTC.
James R.
Thank you for the refresher on a very serious issue…All of us older folks should be VERY CAREFUL ! Unfortunately, there are people out there that will do anything to take your Money. STAY ALERT !
Miguel
Good day!
I just received a call from a scammer
1(832) 548-5684 claiming to be the Social Security Administration in Texas.
Please shut them down. It is a call center with many people calling.
L.A.
Hi Miguel. 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.