Frauds & Scams

Don’t Become the Catch of the Day

August 31, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

hook holing a tag Verifying and protecting your identity is of great importance to us at Social Security. We dedicated an entire section of our website to explaining how we process your information online and verify Social Security numbers. We include helpful tips you should be aware of on avoiding identity theft schemes and ways to make your online presence more secure! 

Did you know that when Internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information, it’s called phishing? On our website, you’ll find information on how to detect a phishing scam. For example, emails from Social Security will come from a “.gov” email address. If an email address does not end in “.gov”, use caution before selecting pictures or links in the email. Also, do not respond to emails requesting you provide personal information. Social Security will never ask you to provide personal information via email. You should never respond to an email if you are not certain it came from Social Security. Do not open it or select any links contained in the email message.

Our mission is to provide you with world-class service. Part of that commitment is making sure you know who to trust and what to be cautious about when it comes to personal information and protecting your identity.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Toby T.

    I want to report a robo call I got pretending to be from SS. The number that called me is (202) 407-2957. I hope you catch them and end this fraud.

    • V.V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Toby. 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. Tom

    We have given my Ss number to a slam. What should I do?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Tom. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, 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). In addition, you can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). To order your credit report go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. For more information, check out our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps.

  3. Ken E.

    Voicemail from (410) 885-4345
    “By the Federal crime and investigation Department. We need to talk to you as soon as possible. Again this call is from Social Security Administration number to reach department is 410-885-4345. I repeat it’s 410-885-4345. Thank you.”

    • L.A.

      Hi Ken. 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.

  4. Cynthia A.

    I was a victim of “phishing” today and I gave out my SS# thinking it was a legitimate entity. I wanted to alert the IRS in advance of tax season to put an alert on my account to prevent further damage, if any.

  5. Lynn G.

    My sister got a robo call saying they were from the social security office and they were going to cut off her benefits due to suspicious activity. They left a number but she just hung up. Is this a phishing scam? She applied for a medicare card before she is eligible is the only thing that might have been a cue. She’s not worried but I am for her.

    • V.V.

      Hi Lynn, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:

      https://blog.ssa.gov/ig-warns-public-about-fraudulent-phone-calls-threatening-arrest-or-legal-action/

      If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

  6. 334 4.

    I keep getting a call saying they are from the Social Security Office and stated that SS is about the stop my social security if I don’t respond to the to call. They said that my SSN has been comprised. I had purchased three cars in Texas, 6 bank accounts overseas. and transporting drugs from country to country.They call me about six times a day.Please help me understand what going on.

  7. Kelly B.

    I received a call from 402-695-4639 (Nebraska) claiming a fraud to my SSN# and to call immediately. Is this fraud?

    • R.F.

      Hello Kelly. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
      If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks!

  8. Benjamin D.

    Recorded message via telephone purports to be from “Social Security Adm,” and threatens freeze of “unnamed” person’s SS number unless return call is made to some federal crime office: Number, as I recall it (just happened a few moments ago) is: 430-755-0823. Scam or legitimate is my question to you. Thanks.

    • R.F.

      Thank you for sharing this information, Benjamin. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
      The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
      If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks, again!

  9. Ellyse

    ___123___Don’t Become the Catch of the Day | Social Security Matterss___123___

  10. Edwige

    ___123___Don’t Become the Catch of the Day | Social Security Matterss___123___

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