Frauds & Scams

Is that Phone Call From Us?

October 30, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

woman talking on the phone It’s the morning of a busy day at home and you get a call from an unknown number. You answer only to find yourself on the receiving end of a threatening message saying your Social Security benefits will stop immediately unless you provide your personal information. It happens every day to thousands of Americans.  And it’s not Social Security calling.

Scammers have many ways to lure their victims into providing information and then stealing their identities. Sometimes they call under a guise of helping you complete a disability application.

Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to secure today and tomorrow. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes.  In only a few special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen confirm personal information over the phone. If you do receive a call from one of our representatives, they will provide you with a telephone number and extension.

The Acting Inspector General for Social Security, Gail Stallworth Stone, urges everyone to stay vigilant of impersonation schemes and to not be afraid to hang up.

You must always remember that you’re in control. Also remember that Social Security will never do any of the following:

  • Call you to demand an immediate payment.
  • Demand that you pay a debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.
  • Require a specific means of payment, such as requiring you to pay with a prepaid debit card.
  • Ask you for your personal information or credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  • Threaten you with arrest or deportation.

If you receive one of these scam calls or emails, do not provide them with any information. You should:

  • Hang up immediately.
  • For Social Security impersonations, contact Social Security’s Office of Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

If you receive a notice from Social Security, please use the telephone numbers provided in the notice sent to you. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov for how to contact Social Security. Remember that scammers try to stay a step ahead of the curve. You can do the same by protecting your information.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Ernie L.

    I got a call from Oregon tel. phone number 1-541-305-4193 saying my social security number had been suspended due to irregular activity in Texas and to call them right away. Waited 2 weeks and got same call.

    • Kenny O.

      Hi Ernie. Thank you for checking 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. To see if Social Security sent the letter, you would need to call your local 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.

  2. Thomas P.

    I think because of a phone all, my s.s.number has been hacked for Freud. I have tried going to your office in Franklin N.C. But it is closed and the phone number list dose not work. Help.

  3. Shirley H.

    I have recently received phone calls stating that my
    SS # will be closed–that I am under an investigation.
    I have just hung up the phone without responding.
    Is this a scam?

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Shirley. 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.

  4. Dale S.

    At 1441 on 6/24/20 I received a voice message to call 202-443-1309 and the person who answered stated he was officer Frank Walker, the same person who yesterday had claimed to be officer Jesse Porter with the ssa, a middle aged well spoken Philipino American. Yesterday he called from 609 342 5405, Beach Haven, NJ.

  5. Anonymous

    Received phone call with no caller ID. The voice mail was phone appt reminder. And when I had talked with SSA yesterday they said when they make call customer should pick up even though they don’t know who is calling. For seniors this is difficult. And then told if I didn’t pick up for appt I’d have to reschedule by calling their main number (where I’ll be put on hold for an hour or more exacerbating my health issues). Why does SSA make everything so damn difficult!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. Sandra D.

    I got a call from 12123278938.
    Is it real?

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Sandra. 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.

  7. Eric R.

    I received a phone call from 816-936-3000 with a caller ID saying Social Security. Is this a legitimate number from the Kansas City, MO office?? If so why is this not published on the Kansas City regional website??

    Thanks in advance for your reply.

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Eric. 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.

  8. Arlene S.

    I think someone is scamming me via a pnone call. Can you forward a phone number so I can call.

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Arlene. 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 here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  9. Laneve R.

    I received a call today, 6/16//20 from phone number: 4079085756

    They were saying that I was part of an SSA problem in Texas ….a scam call. I’m reporting it to u because I don’t know where else to share.

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Laneve. 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.

  10. E C.

    I received a letter re: reduction in benefit–how do I know if this letter is for me or my son who has same name?

Comments are closed.