Inspector General Warns About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 21, 2023
Today, I am warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or coronavirus-related office closures. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed.
The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures.
As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, local Social Security offices are closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. However, Social Security employees continue to work. Social Security will not suspend or decrease Social Security benefit payments or Supplemental Security Income payments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Any communication you receive that says Social Security will do so is a scam, whether you receive it by letter, text, email, or phone call.
Social Security will never:
- Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
- Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
- Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
- Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If you receive a letter, text, call or email that you believe to be suspicious, about an alleged problem with your Social Security number, account, or payments, hang up or do not respond. We encourage you to report Social Security scams using our dedicated online form. Please share this information with your friends and family, to help spread awareness about Social Security scams.
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About the Author
Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security
Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for Social Security
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Karen L.
Today 9/1/20220 at 12:47 p.m. I received a call from a person identifying themselves as an Investigator for the Social Security Administration, saying my benefits were going to be “suspended because of fraud that was being investigated”. She further stated that if I wanted “to talk to an investigator about this matter press 1”. A man with a heavy accent came on the line, identifying himself as “an investigator”, asking how he could help me. I told him about the phone call I had just gotten, etc. and he hung up on me. Maybe I sounded too young and too alert to qualify as an easy target.
I dialed star 69 to get the phone number of the caller and it showed 503-592-4278.
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Syble D.
Got a voice message from a Scammer today on mobile phone.
936-207-2189 Conroe TX
Message said this: Due to certain activities related to
my Social Security number , we have been forced to suspend your Social Security number with due to all benefits will be canceled . Feel this is a error contact
this number . Have a Blessed Day .
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Syble. 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.
Judith B.
thank you for information regarding scams saying my social security will be suspended. I do hang up, but after a few calls you start wondering if then call is from the government! thanks again for the assurance that my social security payment are safe.
Joan g.
I have been trying to get my April and May monthly check. I have talked to people wrote letter like they asked. All I know is I was told fraud was involved in these 2 payments. And I am going in poor house over not reviewing my checks. With social security offices being closed I can’t talk to anyone in person. I’m 77 years old, I need help don’t know what to due next..
V.V.
Hi Joan, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Charles G.
Their is an online site called Social Security is Going “Green” promoting the creation of a social security online account that will replace the current social security statement. Is this on the up and up or is it a scam?
Milagros O.
I was called yesterday by someone from Texas telling me that they were trying to help me with my accounts and the credit cards that I have. They asked me for my name which I gave plus last four numbers of my SS #, also the bank that I have my account. My son was listening to this call that I was on because he saw that I was having a hard time with the connection so he took the phone from me and listened to the question that was being asked, he answered and then they hung up on him I am worried about the information that I gave, please help. Thank you very much
john n.
i have recieved a letter from ssa it says asking me to send certified documents thru the mail to them an f i dont im getting kicked off ssi the letter is much differant than the ones i get from ssa who do i contact about this problem they are going to call me on july 20 from 9am to 330 pm thanks john noonan
Burton B.
Yes unless am being scammed by SSA I am being hung up when I call my local office. Also by 1800 -772-1213 is hanging up on my calls. Am just trying to find out why my one time payment was sent to the wrong account and return and two months plus hasn’t been reissued to my right account. Please I starting to feel like someone else has stolen my payment in the office . Online all it saying is it has been paid , but need to me. I am disabled do I have to go though this pain of being on the Verge of losing everything. What am owe is al little over a one year salary for me that I have been fighting for almost 4 years. Please help.
V.V.
Hi Burton, thanks for using our blog. We certainly do apologize for the delay and inconvenience you are experiencing. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. You can also send us an email message to provide feedback.
onlinehefaz
thanks
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Rae T.
I got a call today from 202/932-6480 and it said it was the SSA but then it hung up on me. How do I find out if it is the real Adminstration or not?
A.C.
Hi, Rae. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.