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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Doreen F.
I have received 2 phone calls so far from:
New Roads, LA
(225) 240-7563
(225) 240-7599
The caller claims that they had to “suspend my SS number because of
some suspicious activity “. Both phone calls were from men.
A.C.
Hi, Doreen. Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Deborah J.
Someone called me, it was a robocall where they stated they were from SS and that I had an arrest warrant and asked that I call the following phone number:
210-943-9573
This just occurred. I tried reporting online and over the phone but it bothered me that I could not make a report without giving out my soc security number.
vanjie
I’ve received calls from these numbers: 1-866-404-2872;
1-866-404-2853; 1-866-404-2832 in a day and less than an hour apart. They leave a message saying that they are from Department of Social Security and that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity.
Please take a look on this numbers.
A.C.
Hi, Vanjie. Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Essie
They want my soc. And info hackers want. Receding call from 3104699867 claiming they were soc. Security and my payments would stop with East Indians answering phone. To file a complaint takes 10 mins. And so many questions. Stupid.
A.C.
Hi, Essie. Did you know you can report suspicious calls to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online? You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Michele B.
I received two calls today that went to my voicemail from SS. They said they suspended my SS number because they found suspicious activity and if I want to know more about the case push 1. They were two different phone numbers. How do I know if this is a scam?
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Ana H.
03/04/2019 received a call from 210-541-2366 stating that my social security number has been suspended, and for me to call back this same number.. Thank you for your help.
Nancy L.
Yes I was hit stating they are shutting down my account. I know you do not call so I just deleted
Nelson R.
is 866-431-3875 ext 31334 Rita Shah your number and employee. Person sounded like they were from Pakistan
A.C.
Hi, Nelson. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
MICHAEL L.
Trying to a call back from someone to help please. 843-991-8439 Michael schreiber
A.C.
Hi, Michael. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue; therefore, we do not do direct calls. You can click “Get Help” in your personal my Social Security account to “Ask a Question”. Click “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. We hope this helps.
Mike
I received a bot-call warning of legal action to be taken due to social security fraud with a return number of (210) 209-9583. It was to my desk number at work. Beware of this fraud.