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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Not s.
Now they are spoofing your number. The number on your sight is what is showing up on my phone. When I picked it up there was recorded message about my social security number being used. It then wanted me to talk to someon
R.F.
Just a reminder — Citizens may report suspicious call from someone alleging to be from Social Security, to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Faye N.
I received a call today from someone stating that they are from the social security office in DC and that my social security number has been connected to a international drug trafficking ring. I made the mistake of giving them my social security number. He said his name was Walter Thompson and his Badge number is 835127
with a phone number of 209-624-8514
R.F.
Hello Faye. 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 report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
If you think someone is using your number, there are several actions you can take. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information. Thanks!
Julian
Received this call today from 1 (800) 772-1213, it said in a crackled automated voice that my social security number has been suspended for recent activity they found.
“press 1 to speak with a representative”
It connects me directly to a woman who speaks perfect english, but when I respond the call is immediately ended.
I call 1 (800) 772-1213 back and I am met with an 1 hour long wait to speak to a representative, and after further research, reading this blog, I am still confused.
1. How are scammers calling with Social Security Administration’s number?
2. Is it best to go to the SSA local office to confirm whether or not my number has been “suspended”?
R.F.
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 receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Craig M.
You keep saying how easy it is to reach you, but I’ve been on the internet for an hour looking for the button that says: “ask for a callback”. Please…..where is it.
Frustrated senior
V.V.
Hi Craig. Thanks for the question. In your my Social Security account, you can click on “Get Help” to “Ask a Question” or “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. Plus, a new “Click to Chat” feature, providing individuals in their my Social Security account an opportunity to chat with a Social Security representative, is coming soon.
Evelyn A.
I received a call from 2143299686 saying something about fraud charges to my social security number and I need to call back to avoid charges being started.
V.V.
Evelyn, 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.
Marie S.
Is this a real number for ss. 512-553-0282. They keep calling me
R.F.
Just a reminder — If a person receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Marie S.
I just got a call saying they were social security calling to say have a attorney call them about a fraud case …involving me ..i called the number back and it either hangs up or is busy.
R.F.
Hello Marie. 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 receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Mark A.
Hello I’m tring to request a call back please. Mark A Davis
801-719-8284
R.F.
Hello Mark. Generally, this option is available when you use your personal my Social Security account, you can click on “Ask a Question” or “Talk to an Expert” for a call back.
If you need assistance with other Social Security issues or need to make an appointment with your local office, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Remember, many services, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, requesting a replacement Medicare card, or reporting a change of address are conveniently available anytime at our website.
We hope this information helps!
A. V.
I’m EXPECTING a call from SSA this week. How do I know if it’s the real SSA or a scam?
R.F.
An SSA employees 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, 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.
Debbie m.
Are my benefits submitted? I keep getting calls talking me my benefits are stupid do to suppose actually