How You Can Help Social Security Protect Your Information
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast 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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Amy
I am getting calls from a Baltimore Maryland number. 443-687-9239.
A.C.
Hi, Amy. We do not usually make random calls. If 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
William P.
I have received 3 phone calls today from Saying they our
from SSA and my account will be stop if do not call back.
800-674-9823 and 800-998-8117
A.C.
Hi, William. We do not usually make random calls. If 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Samantha L.
I received a call saying that I’m frauding the ssa and to call them at 800-772-1213 and talk to there lawyer
V.V.
Hi Samantha: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
R.Cantrell
Here is a new scam number that is coming through 866-404-2118.
They are saying that the they suspending my SS# because they found “suspicious” activity.
Just letting everyone know a new number to watch out for.
J
I just got that same call.
A.C.
Hi, R. We do not usually make random calls. If 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Sarah
I have received over 8 calls today alone with a robot voice also saying this same thing.
William B.
I just got that same call also, in southern California. They got as far as my name, phone no. and address before I got suspicious and hung up on them It was a female caller speaking with a slight accent.
Lloyd F.
I don’t do social media; I think it adds to the problem.
jose
thank you for all the helpful information.
A.C.
Thanks for your feedback, Jose! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.
Susie N.
I’ve seen comments that I can get a different number on my Medicare disability card instead of my social security number, is this true? If so how do I go about getting a new card? Thank you.
Prc
You should already have the new card, they have been sent out to everyone. Contact the Medicare office via phone call.
John J.
Tere are several issues here. First, SS recipients need to recognize and ignore the scams. SS does not initiate contact by phone. Second, do not give out personal information on Facebook and the like. Use a false DOB and do not give out your children’s information, alter it if needed. Shred mail containing account numbers. Do not give out personal information on blog sites, including this one.
John J.
“There” not “tere”
Mr T.
Please pay my beneficiaries of retirement plan.gov ! On 03/31/2019 my member of federal retirement benefit center Denver Colorado state issued !on 2018
Mario F.
Excellent Information I will be aware of these fraudulent phone calls and let you know right away.