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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Gwen F.
I received 3 calls from SSA and they were from Maryland and said tomorrow their will be someone at my residence and do I have an attorney. The phone number is from 1-866-501-2101 ( TTY) for deaf and hard of hearing. I didn’t know that SSA has someone to arrest you.
Robert L.
Hello
I have been receiving voicemails on my cell phone regarding my social security number involved in fraudulent activities and for me to call this number back 214-705-2824. I called backed on 1/18/19 and spoke with a Rick Boyd. He gave me his Badge # as GS72593 . He also gave my a account # of DC7010. He insisted that after our conversation to contact the Sheriff Department. He went on to say “I’m going to ask you some personal question that i need answers to”. I replied “Well shouldn’t i speak to the Sheriff department directly”/ He then disconnected the call. I have received five calls starting around November 2018, but this is the first time i called back and spoke to someone. I’m concerned about this, I gave him my first name then my last name, but that was it.
steven v.
received robo call 817 591 1294
Melinda p.
Just received a phone call and then a voicemail saying there wS fraudulent activity with my ssn. Here is the phone number. 323 527 0852
Doreen M.
I got two voicemails today (1/16/19) from (203) 513-4689 claiming to be from social security. A quick phone number search showed it was a landline number in New Haven, CT. Figured I’d report it here & will also call the 800# tomorrow, now that I know what number to call.
Dottie P.
Received a call on 01/16/2019 @ 1:57 p.m. from 870-782-0932 which was threatening and sounded like a recording.
I did not answer. Just wanted to report the phone number.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Dottie. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.
JENE S.
Good morning. I am receiving calls about my SS number being suspended because of suspicious activity. The number is 1 800 177 2121. Legit or not?
Thanks
A.C.
Hi, Jene. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.
Phillip W.
I received a call from this #718-557-3000, city Jamacia NY Saturday 1/12/19 at 5:26 pm eastern time. Gentleman explained that my first benefit payment for November and December 2018 would be deposited into my account within 7 business days and on the 3rd Wed of every month afterwards. He had specifics on amounts and even ask about income from an employer in 2006. How do I confirm this call is valid?
A.C.
Hi, Phillip. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.
Bradley S.
I got a phone call from 1-844-556-0555 and was threatened with legal action. I was told to call back and speak to an official to clear up the problem or my SSA benefits would be held and legal action would follow. Please investigate asap or they will be gone to the next fraudulant call.
V.V.
Hi Bradley, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/ig-warns-public-about-fraudulent-phone-calls-threatening-arrest-or-legal-action/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
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.
Brian H.
Received phone calls from 800-772-1219. Should I answer it. Msg. “We have suspended your SS#, pls press 1”
A.C.
Hi, Brian. Hi. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. Thanks!