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. Connie B.

    I have received countless phone calls saying my ssc number has fraudulent activity. I belong to LifeLock and they have no activity. The numbers come from Texas, California, Louisiana, Maryland all over the country. They all are recording stating legal proceedings will begin without a return a call to 408-837-494. No last number. The number came from 408-837-0494. San Martin Ca. I’ve reported this once and was put on hold for over 25 minutes and was finally able to leave a voicemail. I think your phone tree was overwhelmed.

  2. Hung F.

    I received in mail requesting for information regarding a discrepancy on my record. Is the number 1-877-772-4309 ext.34434 one of WSU number that I am safe to call?

    • V.V.

      Hi Hung, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. If you received an official letter from Social Security requesting a return call, then the number is safe to call. However, anytime 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).

  3. Susan O.

    I received a call from social security today, Saturday, December 15,2018.
    They did not leave a message. I called the number back, it was social security.
    Why would they call?

  4. James A.

    I received a call from 866 218 2309 Ext 15859.
    Is this number a legitimate Social Security telephone number?

  5. george l.

    I got a robocall from (800)-751-2366. My phone dropped the call, and that # claims to be unavailable, I couldn’t call back.

  6. Kathryn G.

    I got a call from 1 800 385-0643 saying my social security number has been suspended and to call a number to find out why.

    I’m trying to check on this. I’m currently holding for a call from you. I have a Christmas Love Church luncheon and don’t want to miss it. My phone # is 504 394 5060. I am Kathryn Gamble at New Orleans La.

    As far as I know everything is fine. Very scary.

    Kathryn Gamble

  7. Shirley G.

    I am receiving calls about my Social Security card being used I Texas and said my card will be suspended if I don’t call them. 1-281-940-1569. I have called SS the wait is over hour wait. I have not given them any info. I am so upset I don’t know what to do. Please help.

  8. Renata H.

    Trying to respond to a call from social security. Phone number has 1 hour wait. No option to leave callback number. Can someone call back .

    • V.V.

      Hi Renata. We’re sorry that you had difficulty reaching someone by phone. We may have been experiencing higher than normal call volume. Generally, when calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. 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. 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. We hope this helps!

  9. Tracy

    Regarding:
    “Social Security will never… Ask you for your personal information or credit or debit card numbers over the phone”
    When you call the Seattle work unit regarding a claim, the first thing they ask for is your SS number!
    I would call that “personal Information”.
    SSA needs to find another way to refer to claims w/o requiring an SS number!
    Like a “case number”.

  10. john r.

    I received a call saying to call 2 times on 12-12-18 social security @ 210-209-9272 who said there was a claim against my social security number and to call before charges were put against it.

Comments are closed.