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. Gene B.

    I received a call from a Social Security number on 12-6-2018. It stated that my Social Security will be suspended for a fraudulent charge. It was sort of threatening. I am only 51 years old and don’t receive Social Security. They wanted my Social Security number. I of course did not provide any information. My number is 412 225 7033.

  2. Robert E.

    Today I 11/06/18 received a phone call stating that my social security number has being used by someone else, and that I have to return there call immediately.
    I thought is was a fraud, but I called them back, they wanted my social security number along with my name and address.
    I hung up the phone and got on your website to notify you of this scam.
    The phone number that phoned me is 1-713-893-8467.
    They also phoned me last week.

  3. theresa a.

    I think I received a scam phone call about social security Can you let me know if you are trying to reach me.

  4. Marta

    Hello,

    I have been receiving strange phone calls on my cell phone wanted to tell me my SSN was being suspicious and is going to be suspended and send my case to legal service if i do not contact the agency soon.

    And that makes me a little panic in the meantime i felt that was not real. I called back on that number and it was the SSA hotline and i waited long enough but couldn’t get anyone to speak with.

    I was just wondering if SSA ever calls to aware or threaten like this.

    Could you pls advise.

    Thank you,

  5. David L.

    Today, Dec. 4, I have received 4 calls fro the following number that claims to be the SSA. The number is 989 634-1042. It’s a recorded message claiming yo be a sheriff with them wanting to hold any payments doe to suspicious activities with my card,

    Can someone please advise me if this is something i should be concerned about this call?

  6. Barbara

    I received a text from the number 202-852-8946 telling me that a message was waiting for me at mySocialSecurity. Login at http://www.sea.gov/sign in to read it. You can change your preferencesabout wastewater you log in. This was the text message. How do I know if this was a legitimate message from social security?

  7. Christy

    BEWARE!!! A 1-866-772-1219 number keeps calling me with a recording that my social security benefits are being suspended due to suspicious activity. When I call the number back, it is a Verizon teleconference number!

  8. Jose

    Be aware of calls from 386-516-3126, it’s a scam call.

  9. Merri

    I received a call at 7 AM this morning, it was a Robo call from this telephone number area code 518-509-2395. It said that my Social Security number had been identified in criminal activity and I was to call this number immediately. I hung up and blocked the number this is the second time in a week I have received the same identical car. I don’t remember if the other call came from the same number or not. Needless to say, I did not return the call.

  10. CHANGGEUN P.

    Got the call from 800 772 1213
    Tyson Page station number 50350 with foreign accent asked for my social security number.

Comments are closed.