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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Kimberly E.
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Linda H.
I received a social security scam call today at 11:30. The call came from1-209-340-7977.
When I didn’t fall for it they became threatening & nasty!
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Linda. 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.
Patricia D.
I received a call stating his name was Officer Mark Hammer saying my social security number has been used all across the country try for nefarious purposes. Then I was asked to speak with someone called Officer Hayes. I did not interact with him and they disconnected the call. Time was around 7 pm. Call was from 312-119-7550.
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Patricia. 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.
Joe c.
I got a letter saying there are stopping my Ss payment for dec there said I could go back to work I jfill out a appell forms and mail them to Ss I can work still under doctor care please help thank you
Vonda V.
Hi Joe, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please 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.
Jane D.
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have you ever be scammed before the Good news is that all hope is not lost because you can still recover back your funds. All you need to do is contact the recovering company via this email below:
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Jane D.
I recently recovered my funds back from a broker that ripped me off I had to hire a recovery company to get my money back
All thanks to crack technology company for helped me to recover back my funds.
have you ever be scammed before the Good news is that all hope is not lost because you can still recover back your funds. All you need to do is contact the recovering company via this email below:
recoverylostmoney@hacker.com
WhatsApp: +447451274653
Rosalie V.
I received a Scam call today sept 17,2020 from phone Num 1-469-872-9121
Indicating they were calling from Social Security office. Please inform me of what’s steps I should take to secure my number.
Thank you/ rosalievm@icloud.com
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Rosalie. 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.
Edna R.
I am in California and frequently get calls of this sort…some telling me a police is outside my door awaiting my arrest. Yesterday I received a similar call for a person who did not speak English very well….he left me a voice mail regarding loss of my social security. his phone was 740-247-0620.
These people should all be deported and if calling from a foreign country we should end all contact with them\
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Edna. 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.
Christopher P.
I am reporting a scam that has happened to me 3 times.
I get a prerecorded call saying this is ssa and a warrent has been issued for my arrest unless I speak to supervisor.. The number came from Brentwood, NY the number is 631-786-9079.. I thought it was fake because I don’t think social security would call with a prerecorded threatening message.. I called the number and a woman answered. Hope you can track these thugs down
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Christopher. 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 h.
my name is john i got a volice mail saying my ss check would stop so they left a #202 7731789 to call
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, John. 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.