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. Mona T.

    Received 2 calls from “Gary Cole, Social Security Administrator” advising me that legal action is being taken on me for fraudulant activities on ss. Told me to seek Legal help if I don’ respond . 507.306.1105 Minnesota phone.

    • V.V.

      Mona, 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 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

  2. A.S.

    I received a phone call from (800)772-1213
    no #1 before the 800. Is this SSA? I have no pending issues, and no message was left. What could the office call me for?

  3. Michelle M.

    Received a recorded message saying to call immediately because my card is to be suspended due to suspicious sudden illegal activity.

    • R.F.

      Hello Michelle. 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!

  4. Bobby S.

    I have someone from the Social Security Office calling me and asking me for my SS#. Their phone number is 210-807-8033. I that a scam or is it really the office?

  5. Sheree R.

    unfortunatley you have to wait on hold with the SSA for approximately an hour to find out if the call was legitimate or not. That is in favor of the scam artists. I do not have time for that! So how do I know it its from SSA without it costing me precious time?

  6. Nina G.

    Received phone call, did not answer, but message was left on my voice mail. Phone number that called me was: 12175014578. Message left was informing me that there was fraudulent activity on my social security number and to call back at my earliest convenience before legal proceedings begin.

    I did not call back. Just wanted to inform you of the call and the message I received. Pretty sure it is scam. I saved the message Incase it could somehow be sent to you.

  7. Ethan

    1-800-772-1213 called me but I am positive it was a scam. Somehow they spoofed the number. The caller had a thick accent and was in a call center. He wanted my social security information. Said my benefits would stop unless I gave up my information. I do not get social security so this is definitely someone fishing.
    Do not listen to these idiots. BEWARE

  8. Ethan

    1-800-772-1213 called me but I am positive it was a scam. Somehow they spoofed the number. The caller had a thick accent and was in a call center. He wanted my social security information. Said my benefits would stop unless I gave up my information. I do not get social security so this is definitely someone fishing.
    Do not listen to these idiots. BEWARE

  9. James K.

    On 10/12/18 received a call from Texas by a female who left the following message. “This is Social Security calling. We need you to call 8062033605 immediately.” I did not return call as this appears to be a scam to get personal info. There are complaints on check-caller.net for this number where caller claims to be police from Social Security investigating claimant fraud. Hope this info helps to stop scammers.

  10. Lyndsey G.

    ‭+1 (716) 794-1630‬ This number is calling and saying my social security number was suspended and I needed to call them back… obviously a scam

Comments are closed.