Inspector General Warns Public About New Twist To Social Security Phone Scams
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: January 9, 2020
The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public that telephone scammers may send faked documents by email to convince victims to comply with their demands. The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received reports of victims who received emails with attached letters and reports that appeared to be from Social Security or Social Security OIG. The letters may use official letterhead and government “jargon” to convince victims they are legitimate; they may also contain misspellings and grammar mistakes.
This is the latest variation on Social Security phone scams, which continue to be widespread throughout the United States. Using robocalls or live callers, fraudsters pretend to be government employees and claim there is identity theft or another problem with one’s Social Security number, account, or benefits. They may threaten arrest or other legal action, or may offer to increase benefits, protect assets, or resolve identity theft. They often demand payment via retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency such as Bitcoin, or pre-paid debit card.
Inspector General Ennis urges continued vigilance against all types of phone scams no matter what “proof” callers may offer. As we continue to increase public awareness of phone scams, criminals will come up with new ways to convince people of their legitimacy. Social Security will never:
- threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately 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; or
- send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If there is ever a problem with your Social Security number or record, in most cases Social Security will mail you a letter. If you do need to submit payments to Social Security, the agency will send a letter with instructions and payment options. You should never pay a government fee or fine using retail gift cards, cash, internet currency, wire transfers, or pre-paid debit cards. The scammers ask for payment this way because it is very difficult to trace and recover.
If you receive a call or email that you believe to be suspicious, about a problem with your Social Security number or account, hang up or do not respond. We encourage the public to report Social Security phone scams using our dedicated online form, at https://oig.ssa.gov. Please share this information with your friends and family, to help spread awareness about phone scams. For more information, please visit https://oig.ssa.gov/scam.
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About the Author
Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General
About Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General
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Eugenia P.
I received a voicemail today stating:
Would be considered an intentional attempt to avoid an initial appearance before the magistrate judge and lead to Social Security card suspension your Case ID 99298 for more information on your case please call our investigation department on 855-273-7972 I repeat 855-273-7972 we would be glad to share in the kiss information and help you get the
I had a feeling this wasn’t from SSA. Please let me know if I was correct or not. Thank you in advance.
Ann C.
Hi, Eugenia. 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.
reni
here are two numbers that have called on our landline(01/14/2020, 01/15/2020) from the “dept of social security administration stating that my social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity; for more information, press 1; BLOCKED these numbers 705 684-8301, 705 374-8584; These scammers call from multiple numbers; These robo calls need to STOP; very annoying
Ann C.
Hi, Reni. Thanks for letting us know. 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.
EDITHAN R.
With all the scams out there and getting worse how do I know I am safe using the Social Security “My Social Security Account”? I have been receiving SS (67yrs old) yet continuing to work full time. I would like to create an account however working for a police department (admin.) for 35 years has made me wonder how long will SS be able to remain safe without being hacked? I’m not asking what forms of safety you use just if everyone’s account information is protected since our SS numbers and personal information being the most confidential in life, am I going to be safe if I open a My SS Account?
Ann C.
Hi, Edithan. We take protecting the public’s personal information very seriously. All of our online applications use an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information. Creating a personal my Social Security account is safe and secure. You can create an account to review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. To get started, visit here. We hope this helps.
Mike W.
I had all my crypto investments stored in my digital wallet when a software update messed everything up. I could no longer get the software program to work to access my private keys so I could trade my currencies. Thank goodness Bitcoin Recovery Co. came to the rescue. Within a matter of days, the problem was fixed and I’m now able to access my wallet again. Thanks Owenbarreth on GMX Mail
Edwin
Senior Citizens need to be aware of Scammers using the tactics of “Your computer has been compromised with virouses and malware and needs to be cleaned” the problem is they move your Hard-drive contents into their “servers” and demand money !! Such as 499.00 and below ! Ex-employees of Norton, McCaffey have the techniques to enter your computer using “Back door” software to get into your PC. This has happened to me and I lost ALL the contents of my HD. The company is out of Minniapolis, MN.
Thomas C.
I have received three phone calls with in the last two months, a person claiming to be police officers who work with the Social Security administration. They tried to get me to give up all my personal information and so forth. And even threatened to have me arrested.
Ann C.
Hi, Thomas. Thanks for letting us know. 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 a.
Does communication from social security ever come by phone?
Ann C.
Hi, Judith. Thank you 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.
CHARLEY A.
I want to know about the “Restart” program. I am 76 years old and took my SS at age 66 and would like to know what I can do to increase my benefit.
Many thanks for your reply.
Charley Anton
Betty N.
1/13/2020 9;;45 am
Just received a phone call on my home phone telling me that my social Security number and driver’s license has been blocked. I only answered because it was a New York # and we have customers from NY…The number was 1-332-255 2017theperson claimed to be an “Agent with SS” I responded and said “You re not an agent and a scam and I am reporting you do not call this number again” and hung up Why can’t the phone companies do something about these calls.There is so much technology and they can listen to us with certain devices so why can’t they do something about this??????
Brandi D.
On the Dark web on Agartha marketplace and others you will find the user called Sicario999
and right now there is a 3.5 BTC finders fee to anybody who can bring me this guys real personal details and address.
If you ever encounter this guy you will be defrauded for sure if you make any business with him, let us put an ending to it instead
Wickr id: sicario999
Telegram: sicario999
Whatsapp: +1 781 667 3317
Text and phone +1 781 667 3317
Protonmail: sicario9@protonmail.com
Extra 1BTC reward if you can get this mans family addresses too