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

Comments

  1. Margaret D.

    I received a call from Social Security, Washington, DC 202-963-4111. Saying there was fraudulent activity. I live in Oregon.

  2. Margaret D.

    I received a call from Social Security, Washington, DC 202-963-4111. Saying there was fraudulent activity.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for letting us know, Margaret. 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.

  3. Deb

    I received a call from 800-775-7802 ext 33564 asking for name, address, ssn so a form could be completed that I had sent in some weeks ago. Is this a legit number? I did call the person back before proceeding but now I’m nervous…too many scams out there.

    • Vonda

      Hi Deb, 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.

      Because you have recently submitted forms, you should 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.

  4. Kimberlly

    Hello for the past two days I’ve been getting scam calls from Social Security these are the numbers that they’ve been calling me from
    203-744-2172
    713-293-3105
    713-294-0476
    713-249-5242

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Kimberly. 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.

  5. James M.

    Got a call saying there’s been fraudulent activity on my account wanting me to call back. Fraud or not?number was 832-5398961

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, James. 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.

  6. jennifer

    call was from a 1 (589) 526-9506

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Jennifer. 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. Jane d.

    Keep receiving scam valls from 314 3921158 stating it is ss and they habe a a warrant for my arrest

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Jane. 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. Archie A.

    I have received two phone calls today purporting to be from “Social Security Administration”. The calls purport to be about questionable activity pertaining to my SSN. Out of concern I hung up both times. How can I follow up to ensure there is not some nefarious activity that I need to know about and, or that the calls were illicit?

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Archie. 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.

  9. Theodore R.

    I got a call telling me that they were from social security administration & there was suspected fraudulent activity with my ss number and to dial 1 & wait for their response. Was that really the social security administration .calling me?

    • jennifer

      i just got one today too saying the same thing

      • Jennifer D.

        the number that called me was 1(589) 526_9506

      • jennifer

        call was from a 1 (589) 526-9506

    • Natasha M.

      I just got the same exact call as well I reported it online on the website they provide at the top.

    • Patricia A.

      I received a call today same thing but they said my number was used for fraudulent activity in southern Texas use ext. 1 for more info. I hung up scared the daylights out of me.
      The call came from a 920-285-1086.

      • Vonda

        Thanks for letting us know, Patricia. 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. silviu d.

    A scam number (801) 660 1638 called saying (by a recording) that the social security account was blocked (it is not clear whose).

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Silviu. 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.

      • Grizel Q.

        received call from 787-974-3182

    • Wilson

      I received a call From SS in Washington saying that they found a car that had cocaine and drug trafficking money and that they found 22 bank accounts in my name and If I don’t cooperate with them they’ll have a warrant for my arrest and freeze all my accounts. I didn’t believe them so I hung up but this guys was being very demanding and rude !!!

      • Vonda

        Thanks for letting us know, Wilson. 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.

Comments are closed.