Is that Phone Call From Us?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
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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MICHAEL J.
I called 323-288-0879 back, because I wasn’t home. When he answered, he never stated that he works for S.S.A. He acted like he knew to whom he was speaking to. He stated we could settle the issue pending by talking or charges will be brought against me. Upon hearing it & had a Japanese accent, I said that your trying to SCAM ME & HUNG UP !!!
Checking my phone calls, I also received a phone call from 323-497-6314, but I haven’t called back.
Natasha P.
Just received a call from 667-281-0746 stating that my SS# had been compromised in the state of Maryland. Scam?
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Natasha. 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.
MICHAEL J.
I received 2 phone calls from 1-323-288-0879 stating that he needed to talk about a pending an arrest warrant from S.S. He sounded w/a foreign accent, but at the same time w/a English accent. I told him it’s ALL a SCAM & he replied it’s your chose. I then hung up!
MICHAEL J.
More from previous Reply:
1) Was it really from a S.S. Employee?
2) My S.S.A. office is on Cherry Hill in Garden City or Inkster, MI.
3) Could someone from S.S.A. give me an answer ?
Thanks!
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Michael. 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.
Diane D.
Is there some way to put a stop to these calls? We received 2 last night, 2 so far today from same number.
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Diane. 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 C.
My wife keeps getting calls saying that someone is using her social security numbers. I always tell her to just hang up because I’m sure this is a scam
Jeffrey N.
I received a phone call supposedly from Social Security Administration. the number was 1-912-623-0101. Is that an authentic number?
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Jeffrey. 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.
wellington a.
WHAT A TRAVESTY AND SHAME ! THAT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT US FROM THESE SCUM ARTISTS OF THE INTERNET IN OUR COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS
wellington a.
HI I’VE BEEN GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM WASHINGTON DC THE NUMBER IS 2027732547 THE MESSAGE SAYS MY BENEFITS WILL BE CANCELLED TILL FURTER NOTICE BLAH BLAH AND TO CONTACT SSA PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT AND WHAT SHOULD I DO THANK YOU MUCH
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Wellington. 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.
JO-ANN D.
several calls with my social security being looked at with serious legal action
action …call 631 354 9277
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Jo-Ann. 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.
Mitchell R.
I’m receiving fraudulent phone recording phone calls from SSI
Vonda V.
Thanks for letting us know, Mitchell. 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.