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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Katya F.
I have received the phone call from 1-800-397-9622 from supposedly Social Security Administration
Heather D.
I’ve been homeless due to domestic violence and descrimination for about three years now and I am Disabled Veterans Disabled Dependent Survivor My father MTS US Airforce Decorated for his Honerable service in Korea Where he was Airlift Command I was born with Spinal Mabifida Hereditary Cancer I had to where braces on my legs till I was around six years old I have had two tumors removed from my brain twice in my life Chronic Pain Manic Depression with anxiety features Chronic PTSD IBS Rhumetoid Arthuritis Fibromialgia Help Me please
A.C.
Hi, Heather. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. Disability Benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI), and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a needs-based disability program that pays benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. The SSDI program provides benefits to insured disabled or blind adults covered by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust funds. If you feel that you meet our definition of disability, you can apply online. You may also be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this information helps.
Soraya
I received a call from 212-337-3900 saying the same thing. It sounded like a recording and told me to hold on to speak to someone to clear it up or my social security number would be permanently blocked. When I looked up the number is shows as United States Government. I don’t understand and am I bit confused why it shows as a US Government number online.
V.V.
Hi Soraya, 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:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
Frances C.
Received a phone call (sounded like a recording), telling me my social security number was being investigate, and giving me a phone number to call back before legal proceedings begin.
I am treating this as a scam/fraud. I will expect further contact if you can tell me otherwise.
Doris C.
How do I put a fraud alert on my s s card.
Judith O.
I recieved samilar callon 04/03/2019 from 18771991213 stating that my SS # will be suspended if I don’t call them immediately.
Steve T.
I am receiving scam calls from 1-281-222-6844.
Caller says that due to problems with my ssa account
my # has been suspended. I have saved the recording.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Steve. 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
LaSonya H.
On March 30, 2019 at 13:02, I received call from 510-803-5319 and left a message stating there was warrant out for my arrest. I called the number back and was tricked into thinking, I was a victim of fraud, regarding money laundering and drug trafficking. It was stated that my SSN had be compromised and the government would be freezing my accounts. They stated that they were working for the DEA and SSA to protect my assets. They used FEAR of being arrested and losing my assets. They stated I would lose all my money if I did not go to SpeedWay to get Goggle Play cards that would function as government bond and load my money on these cards. Stupidly I did this!!! I am so embarrassed. They threaten that DEA agents would come to home. Worst experience ever. Once I got the cards the person wanted me to provide them with the information on back on the card. I refused. I pray I can get my money back. I requested some some one from my local authorities contact me. They actually had a person with a Spanish accent call me from a 513 number.
They provided Badge #s, Case ID # they called me from a 1-800-772-1214… to authenticate themselves.
Fear will make you forget logic… As I reflect on the conversation, I should have known better.
A.C.
Sorry to hear that, LaSonya. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Rebecca R.
I received a call on both my work cell phone and then my home phone immediately after – Odd how they can call so fast – the number was 425-222-1087 Fall City, WA
J.Y.
Hi Rebecca: Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Denice W.
I saw a post mentioning your site on one forum asking something about buying email lists.
I would personally recommend that you consider using a Yellow Pages scraper such as Ivy’s B2B Leads Miner Yellow Pages Scraper.
I cannot find the link but you can google it.
I am using it for generating my own B2B leads and it is so much cheaper than buying your own lists so don’t waste your money on pre-made lists.
Anyway mate, I hope this helps.
Take care and best of luck with your business!