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. Jodi G.

    Hello, I received an Automated phone call stating my SSN would be suspended. I hung up immediately due to the automated voice but when I did call back the number, it led me directly to your official phone number. Yes, this is very unnerving. Is there a new scam?

  2. R. B.

    2 phone calls today from Texas to Washington state.

    Both had a computer female voice claiming to be Officer so and so, stating my SSA account had been suspended.

    Numbers follows : 956-887-0955

  3. Barbara A.

    I received a call which I’ve.ieve is a scam and the call was from SS phone #.

    Barbara Anderson

  4. John I.

    I received a call from SS informing my wife her SS# had been compromised…How can we be assured the call originated from you? The number as displayed is the one on your website and is included throughout, however, how do we know this is not a fraudulent site?

  5. Ann

    I’ve rec’d 3 calls today from Needville, TX; number that’s calling is 979-246-4553. The times it has called are 10:59 a.m./11:15 a.m. and 4:26 p.m, East Coast Time. All 3 are a recording from KELLY JONES with the S.S.A requiring a call back due to fraudulent activity with “my social security #”. I don’t know this person, I don’t live in TEXAS. Please do something to stop these calls…..like arrest “Kelly Jones” & put her ass behind bars!!!!

  6. Barbara L.

    I received a call fro a Ron Macroudo (?) leaving the following PN: 855-249-4340 ex:2035095 wanting to discuss my benefits. I do not know if this man or PN is legit because could not find his name or contact info on your site. Is this a legit number and contact person and do I need to call him? I just recently signed up to receive my benefits, and have received my letter from SSA, and then received his call.

    • K.O.

      Hello Barbara. Thank you for checking in with us. Occasionally, Social Security Administration employees may 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. Thank you.

    • Tara

      Barbara, did you call the1 800 1772 1213 number? I received a call from the same number with a different extension. I don’t want to spend hours on hold to find out if you already know the answer

  7. Adna O.

    I received a call this morning from Officer Kelly ,from SSA.I’m to call back at 915-799-0307.That charges were being brought against me for fraudulent activities .Is this a legal number for social security? I am a widow living on disability so it is scary getting one of these phone calls.

    • V.V.

      Adna, 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.

  8. Denise O.

    I received a call from 850-260-3265 claiming to be Social Security stating my SS number was suspended because it was used for suspicious activity.

    • V.V.

      Denise, 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.

  9. Kamille

    I’ve received calls from someone stating their from social security and threaten to take legal action if I don’t call them back. The number is 417-202-4232. Please advise if this is legitimate.

    • V.V.

      Kamille, 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.

  10. David S.

    214 717 5031 Is calling me asking for my SS information.
    I know it is a sammer. Please feel free to contact me if you need further.

    • V.V.

      David, 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.

Comments are closed.