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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joao j.
minha general obrigado pela atençao vou te compartilha la no facebook obrigado pelo seu trabalho portudo q vc presta au pubrico vou esta sempre nortificando nossa amizades ,
Anita L.
I did not receive a stimulus check with my social security check.. dated 5/27/20. Anita LeBow-2/25/1940
Jill C.
I am writing to you my SAD I experience. I see no information on how to report the lawyer I had 2 1/2 yrs before changing lawyers to one that is honest. Previous lawyer lied, mislead, and cost me alot of debt to live on early withdrawals of retirement account and several more large repayments. The cost to SSA I’m sure is extremely high. TY you should receive my letter soon.
Jo A.
Received letter dated may 14 that benefits had been changed and can not
pay benefits at this time, giving me 60 days to reply.
The number to call is a legitimate number, 1-800-772-1213.
It did not have a social security number but bnc# 20T2373E25475-D
Is this a scam?
V.V.
Hi Jo Ann, thanks for checking in with us. 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.
John S.
I need your help badly in despair I’m sick in quranteen at a motel room 224 comfort inn and suites I have corona virus should be reviving ssdi payments I need to survive I’ll take your help any way I can !please! ?
John S.
I need to get my social security reinstated problem is cause I lost my jail release papers and I am sick with corona virus I have no acknoledgable being sick get my benifets reinstated my name is John S Pearsall my number is 720-287-9354 my social security is XXXXXXXXX I also font have a debit card for direct deposit any more please help me?
V.V.
Hi John, 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.
Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels. Thanks.
Joanne K.
My husband and I have not received our April Social Security checks.Is there a way to see what happened?
Robert E.
I am on SSI I am 71 years old I have not gotten my stimulates yet. I get paid by Direct Express
Hank S.
Please email me the status of coronavirus stimulus check- Deposit in my account . Thank you -Hank S. Cooley
Hank s.
I havnt received stimulus check but I’ve filled out my banking information on this site. I also mailed banking information to IRS in Portland Oregon. Im on disability and social security in Umatilla County, Oregon/ pendleton office said no one on ssa,ssdi, or retirement in our county has any information or received stim. WHEN CAN I EXPECT AUTO DEPOSIT, BECAUSE IRS ALREADY HAS INFO. AND I’M NOT REQUIRED TO FILE TAXES!!!- ???