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.
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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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Susan R.
I have been scammed. I need to change my benefits to a new bank account. How do I do that?
A.C.
Hi, Susan. We are sorry to hear that. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your direct deposit information online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local office immediately. We hope this helps.
CM
I got several phone call today saying they are calling from the SSA and your social sercurity number has been compromised and has been used in some illegal activities , in order not to go to court call 208-261-9799. The caller ID showed Burley ID as the caller. Today Nov.15,2019 at 11:30am
L.A.
Hi CM. 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.
John A.
1-209-488-1658 was the most recent # calling me as Social Security
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.
GWEN G.
I would like to report a scam. I received a voice mail with the number 877-300-4255. Fraudulent department. I had no intentions of answering. I am going to block this number from my phone. Thank you for informing the public to this scam.
L.A.
Hi Gwen. 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.
JOSEPH C.
Hi Apparantly what I experienced today is very common by the above comments . I’m recieving regular calls from 817 786 9080 Texas. Claiming to be the Social Security Administration. They say I have committed fraud and I’m going to be arrested! I figure it’s a scam of course, But they had a name of a previous resident of this property. Why can’t Spoofed Telephone numbers be stopped ? Can’t the FCC make this illegal? There is no reason for it except fraud. I get calls all day long trying to fool you in to some scam. I worry about the old , And the not so bright that are easily fooled.
L.A.
Hi Joseph. 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.
Tom R.
I received a call just now from phone number 844-299-8505. It was a robot call telling me my SS was “suspended” due to fraud and to press 1. I hung up immediately and blocked the number.
L.A.
Hi Tom. 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.
Maureen B.
Hello. I have received several calls stating my SS# has been compromised. I hung up! So aggravating! 8 calls in 3 days….. numbers used:
800.803.1130
800.803.6184
800.863.6670
800.876.1114
800.829.7205
800.887.1403
800.861.7218
800.812.6835
L.A.
Hi Maureen. 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.
Steve A.
I recently received a recorded telephone call stating that my social security number had been compromised. The call referred me to a person who claimed to work for the SSA. I believe the call was another scam. the number the call came from was 213-319-7480.
L.A.
Hi Steve. 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.
Seldon B.
We are receiving lots of phone calls telling us that our S.S. accounts are about to be suspended due to fraudulent activity If we don’t contact them. The numbers we saved are 410-220-0507 and 410-697-5549 and they are from Elkridge and Millersville, MD.
L.A.
Hi Seldon. 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.
D.Dodge
I received a call today from 1-888-479-3685 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.
L.A.
Hi D. 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.