Frauds & Scams

How You Can Help Social Security Protect Your Information

March 21, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: March 21, 2019

Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission. You work hard and make a conscious effort to save and plan for retirement. Unfortunately, fraud and scams are a part of our current reality. Scammers try to stay a step ahead of us, but our cyber-security programs help us protect the information entrusted to us. Despite the techniques we use to thwart scams, we can’t do it alone. You can read Social Security’s joint press release with the Office of Inspector General about our new nationwide Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign. This new PSA campaign addresses these telephone impersonation schemes in a series of video and audio ads. Watch the video above and learn how you can help us protect your information.

Also, earlier this month, we teamed up with the Federal Trade Commission for a Facebook Live event to discuss more consumer protection tips. If you missed this very important session, you can find it on our Facebook page.

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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. Richard M.

    I have received calls saying my SSN is suspended and I need to call them back:
    415-723-4342 2 times
    201-345-6142
    917-463-0602
    815-656-2559
    415-528-3973
    336-283-8179
    I don’t answer the phone if I don’t recognize the number and make them leave a message.

    • L.A.

      Hi Richard. 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. Janet S.

    I received a call today from 18002903770 saying that there was fraudulent activity on my account and my social security number was being suspended. They said I should press 1 to talk with someone. hung up.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Janet. 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.

  3. Mac H.

    just got a call from 877-536-6522. The caller said he was from social security administration but had an east asian accent. I hung up. I called the number back and was answered by someone saying social security administration. Again with an east asian accent. When I asked where he was located he disconnected.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Mac. 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. Jenni O.

    I received an unknown call, no number showed up but they left a voicemail stating that they needed to talk to me as soon as possible, this call is from the social security administration number to reach department is 949-401-6288. I blocked the call.

    • L.A.

      Hi Jenni. 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.

  5. Edward S.

    I received a voicemail from 765-893-1320 asking me to call this number or else the Social Security Admin would be pursuing legal action against me. I tried calling it with *69 first but it didn’t work. I call the number and they pick up on the other end. Hopefully posting this will somehow help the SSA. These people need to be stopped!

    • A.C.

      Thanks, Edward, 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.

  6. TIMOTHY M.

    Receiving calls from 520.422.6895 saying something is against my ss# and I must call back which I don’t plan to just letting someone know so they can shut this scam down

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Timothy. 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.

  7. Joseph C.

    I have reported them to the OIG and the one I just got today was from (443) 267-2871. The person that answered had an Indian accent and I literally said stop calling and stop scamming!!!

  8. Joseph C.

    I get calls at least 1-2 times a week stating that they are from Social Security and leave a message about legal proceedings

    • A.C.

      Hi, Joseph. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind that we do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.

  9. Esther

    I get numerous calls a day, as of today 3 so far and its early the calls show on my caller Id from Lyons, NY 1- 315 290-3503 stating that my social security numbers has been suspended. I have even blocked the number and it still comes through. I have contacted my phone carrier regarding this issue.

    • L.A.

      Hi Esther. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

  10. Gary M.

    I just received a call from 8888953300. They said it was the social security administration and they were suspending my account for fraud. They said to hit 1 for more info and when I did the call disconnected.

    • L.A.

      Hi Gary. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.