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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tony
how hell ssi get a check when we dont file taxes are get the 1099 form we not getting nothing
greg m.
you are an idiot. you deserve nothing. lazy bitch. READ! IT WILL BE DEPOSITED DIRECTLY THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY! JESUS CHRIST
Rod
Aaaahhh right on!!!!
Deborah K.
No the SSA has nothing to do with this, read the statements they made above, they will provide info, but if you dont have direct deposit with the IRS for taxes, it will likely be sent in a check.
Richard L.
I found this section very interesting on everyone’s take on matters . If anything I think we should all be great-full that SSA has been in contact and informed. I know this will pass and I really hope that people can restore what this has done to some. Trust me , I get it and not trying to blow smoke to blog. Thanks again and god bless us all
Teresa
Are we getting a stimulus check or not
dan
don’t be so lazy. it is all over the internet.
Dorothy L.
Yes we are.
Dave
Will Soc Sec continue with holding a portion of my Retirement benefits because of ancient (over 30yrs) defaulted student loan? They took ALL $300. of the last economic stimulus paid to evereyone else. Student loan interest seems to accumulate faster than the coronavirus infection rate on old defaulted loans. The more you take, the less chance of ever paying it off.
Theresa s.
Thanks. Will we receive a increase in SS because of the Covid-19.
joao j.
alguem ai q tenha compentencia pedir para abri previdencia social para povo e ordem no brasil tambem alguem do governo aqui no brasil enplatou uma ordem de pagamento pelo aplicativo alegando coronavirus eu quero q seja dada ordem para reabrir previdencia pagamento do aposentados pobrema todo q alguem que me encrimina nao mandei feicha nada repasse para mim o comentario pubrica por favor e muito enportante ,
V.V.
Hi Joao. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov, http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial, or http://www.twitter/segurosocial. Thanks!
joao j.
e nao mandei feixa nada de previdencia neuma alguem esta por traz disso ai esse meu recado pedir alguem para libera previdencia social para q o povo tenha acesso seus pagementoe em bancos procure sabe com direçao da empresas e avisa q eu pedi para fazer a abertura da previdencia social aqui onde estou esta essa onda eu nao sei quem esta por traz disso nao e cabe vcs pedir para abertura da previdencia q a quero nao dei ordem de nada nada , ( https://github.com/fty49jb19/eletrow cash eletrow cash ) acho q a alguem operando parte de empresas faixadas do innss veja para mim tambem aqui no brasil tem alguem operando aqui um ministro do governo operou essa operaçao sem ordem minhas no brasil e veja quem esta de chave com brasil e ordem para abri previdencia para pagar as pessoas ,
Rachel
Thank you for posting this information. I, have been tortured by people calling me saying that my Social Security number has fraudulent activity against it, and I need to call a certain number. I also have had calls from the same person numerous times telling me the same thing. I just hang up, but they call and call. Finally, I do not even answer. They usually have a 202-247area code & prefix, but not always!
Please keep us informed of things like this. It is very helpful, especially in these times. I only wish they could be caught and prosecuted!
Beth
I am married my husband is on social security disability, and I receive SSI he receives his SSA every year, but I have never received a SSA since i have been on my SSI am I going to be able to receive the stimulus check. I am confused been trying to find out and unable to find out anything.
Beth
I’m sorry I didn’t mean to reply to this, I am new at this have no idea how I managed this. Please except my apologies.
Sandra
Thank you. So now the scanners are writing letters. I can watch out for extended family and the neighbors.
Lucinda G.
I have been fighting with Social Security for 15 years trying to get my income put back on my record, I have been thrown out of the Gainesville office by a Blonde woman who told me we will NEVER put your income back on your record. I am 62 and she said tough luck. I told her I had been working since I was 14, she said oh well sorry. Now this is a LOT of income over 55 and 65k for at least 5 years. How do I get this fixed?
V.V.
Hi Lucinda. 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, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., 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.