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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Arnold
Received phone call 10/10/2018 at 8:48AM. Said to call Social Security about fraud (not sure, voice not clear). The number given is 206-397-0250.
Quite sure it is SPAM.
Michelle M.
I received a call saying my number was compromised and is getting suspended- is this a real call (929)376-2657
Jill L.
I have been on hold for a long time with the 800 number. I wanted verify if a letter and packet I received from the Soc Sec Administration Office of Quality Review that I should be available for a phone interview for what looks like an audit to see if my benefits are correct? The packet contains information on the Privacy Act Section 205a stating they can do this. They want me to complete a form and return it to them stating I will be available. They sent me an earning s statement and asked me to be prepared to answer questions about it as well as questions about my birth certificate, marriage license and divorce papers. Before I send anything back, I need to know this is real and not a scam. Thanks You. Jill
Lynn F.
I received 3 voice messages from this number: 2818364614, saying my social security benefits are being suspended. Is this a scam?
Rick
240-580-1685 received a call claiming to be SSI office . I called the number back and it was answered with a heavy accent that just said Hello then said is this ( my name ) I told them I was reporting that number the person promptly hung up
Alice M.
I just have a question. I have been getting phone calls that if my name is so n so. They will be sending me my new social security card. But I do not verify not even my name. Do you guys call on that .???
A.C.
Hi, Alice. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. Thanks!
Nadine
I was curious to know if social security workers call on the phone with regards to a prior social security card issue and ask for you to come to their office, what will happen once at the office or can this be a possible scam too? Thanks for your time and help!
V.V.
Hi Nadine, thank you for checking in with us. It could be a Social Security employee; however, to be sure, always contact either 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).
Jerome S.
is the following a legitimate phone number used by SSA: got a call from this number from someone claiming to be with SSA: 469-202-7697
R.F.
Hello Jerome. 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 report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
KATHLEEN J.
MY ACCOUNT ON LINE IS LOCKED OUT. HOW CAN I GET IT OPENED AGAIN?
R.F.
We’re sorry to hear that you had difficulty accessing your account, Kathleen. For assistance, please call our dedicated my Social Security-Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk” or contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Judith G.
I have gotten 2 telephone calls saying that I may be arrested and face criminal charges. I never answered and have blocked the telephone number,
Here is the telephone #
833 228-1867
V.V.
Judith, 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.