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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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Paula W.
I was called about SS doing a dna testing for cancer screening . They ask some questions about family history. The lady only ask for my last four digits of SS number. They sent a dna test kit and what was strange the results was back in less than two weeks. I know that it takes longer than that. Have been schamed?
Signed Paula Warren. My phone number is 1-205-202-6891 or 205-470-2709
William N.
i received a call saying that the social security office says that there is someone conducting fraudulent activities using my social. Is this a call from you guys or a scam?
V.V.
William, thank you for checking in with us. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
richard b.
I just received a call from 240-704-7455 stating they were SS head quarters in Baltimore MD and that they are suspending my SS #. I figured it was a scam, plus the guy sounded like he is from India. Just putting this out there so you can look into this.
Kathy G.
I received a similar call today and did what the asked me to do. I wonder if it was a spam and if so I’m losing all my money plus they now have my personal info. I’m now calling the customer service to confirm the legitimacy of this number because I feel weird about this!
Sherry G.
I received a càll from social security and they said they were confirmin g my appointment with them or someo ne In my household for today at 10:30 am. I did not make an appointment with SS nor do I have anyone here eligible for SSI. I did not call to cancel as requested as I felt this was a scam. Was I correct in my assumption?
R.F.
Hello Sherry. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Albanyduck
I got a call. They identified themselves as being from Social Security in Texas and said the following “Can get it so when you get this message kindly call us back on our home line number (832)706-3747. I repeat that is (832)706-3747. Do not disregard this notice and do return the call before we begin with the legal proceedings against you thank you?”
V.V.
Hi there. Thank you for checking in with us. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Sharon S.
I received a call from 617-227-1929. He left a message telling me he needs information regarding my claim on my ex-husbands SS benefits. He left a number, 866-964-7317, to call him back. HE didn’t answer so I left my name and ss # as asked for. Now I am worried that it was a scam. Can you confirm that is a valid phone number?
R.F.
Hello Sharon. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
The number you were provided, appears to be a valid SSA number. Please follow the automated system instructions when calling us back.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks!
Permelia S.
I keep receiving the threatening phone call supposedly from social security and am wondering why the number on caller Id is the same as yours listed above.
Arnold G.
I have not received any mail regarding a fraud investigation regarding my account. I received a phone call saying they were from Social Security and I must contact them immediately and provide information. I assuming this is a scam, correct?
R.F.
Hello Arnold. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Judith W.
How do I cancel a scheduled phone appointment for October 16, 2018?
V.V.
Hi Judith, thank you for the question. To cancel a scheduled appointment, you can:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
Robert B.
I received a phone call i beleive having to do with a theft of my SSN. I was told to call a 202 number. Did not have pen nearby & missed the complete number. Is there a problem with my account?