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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Don G.
so how do I find out if the telephone number is real? is 855-257-0067 a real number? and calling 800-772-1213 either hangs up on me or tells me I have a 2-1/2 hour wait to talk to someone.
Martha
I’m getting called from this 1800-772-1213 why?
Nancy O.
Possible phone scam call today about enforcement (message only with a phone number to call back) 571-407-8384. Didn’t believe the call and wrote number down to report. Sat on phone 45 minutes and couldn’t wait any longer so sending this comment. You do not have to reply.
Kim T.
I’ve just received a phone call from (833)289-6455 claiming to be social security. I take calls and correspondence for my elderly mother In hopes of reducing the risk of fraud. I expect to get mail if there are any issues with her social security benefits. Please respond (by mail) if there any problems.
Thank you
V.V.
Hi Kim: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Pamela J.
I am in the process of signing up for Social Security. I received a letter from SSA asking to call them at 855-807-8675 extension 5188, and speak to Mr. Chung Tran. Is this a legitimate request from SSA?
Thank you!
V.V.
Hi Pamela, thank you for using our blog. Social Security employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes, and occasionally send correspondence to individuals requesting a return phone call. Anytime you have questions about any communication – email, letter, text or phone call – claiming to be from SSA, we ask that you 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 7p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy. (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks!
Lourdes G.
A call was made to my home phone from an Edna Johnson, (209)437-5323 stating of a Legal Action being filed on my SSA for Fraudulent Activities. I have no idea what this all about. I also received calls on my cell#. (800-325-0777) and (800)772-1548 indicating to call the Headquarters of SSA Admin. Dept #(413)351-7102 and (424)227-7683 to speak with an Officer of SSA. I already submitted a report to OIG. Thank you
V.V.
Hi Lourdes: Thank you for letting us know and we’re glad to hear that you reported the incident. Unfortunately, in some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up.
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Antionette M.
I keep getting calls from these impersonators! I have blocked their calls numerous of times and they continue to find a way to get through! Every time a message is left ( not asking to call a number) but to press one to further discuss. I wish they could get penalized for this criminal act!
J.C.
Hello,
This phone number ( +18884482018 ) just called me saying they are from the SS office. Of course I don’t believe them as your office never randomly calls anyone like that, then hangs up. It is a call center of scammers somewhere. Possibly in Asia. Just want you to know.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, J.C. 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.
james r.
I have been receiving calls stating SS # is in jeopardy calls from this # 866 404 7467 very hr on the hr I answered call the noise in the background was so loud I could not hear the broken English I told them to fk off and then hung up
A.C.
Hi, James. Keep in mind 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.