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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Stephanie L.
I got a phone call today on a prepaid phone from 434-205-1843 they told me my ssn had been used in Texas, New Mexico, and more and I have never been there. I was not thinking I gave them my ssn but they should of had it. they threated to arreast me if i didn’t apply. they said something about cocaine i freeked out..
A.C.
Hi, Stephanie. 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Karen
I got a robo call saying there was suspious activity on my SSN number and my number is being suspended there was a number to call but i did not get it all down is this a legit call
A.C.
Hi, Karen. 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Grizelle G.
My 86 years old mother is receiving calls from people stating that its from SSA and she does not know what to do and is worried. They are asking her for information and her benefits will be stopped.
Laurie A.
I have been frozen from my account because i forgot my password and I need a proof letter right away. Please call.
Thank You,
Laurie A. Moriarty
401-256-2191
Lela A.
I received 3 calls yesterday from this phone number
(1-832-497-5875), the call came from Texas. I am assuming the SSA are like the IRS and never call you, but send a letter if they need to contact you.
G. C.
Received scam call from 201 417 4913 at 6 10 pm claiming SS # being used SCAMcalll reported
susan w.
call from a male voice stating my social security has been suspended. number is 1 888 275 1696. SCAM folks. DO NOT RESPOND.
Terri S.
Lately I’ve been receiving calls about problems with my social security number. I don’t answer my phone if I don’t recognize the number. I received 2 calls from 2 different numbers saying that legal action is pending against my social security numbet. Called both numbers and they were not working. Also received a call about fraudulent use of my number. They are getting smarter. They used a number like social security’s number. Same last 4 numbers but prefix was different. Number not good. I will admit I panicked over the legal action. I have social security number in my phone. After I calmed down it did not make sense that as would leave a message like that. So I checked internet and sure enough they were scams
A.C.
Hi, Terri. 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.
Tina Z.
We got 2 phone calls saying our SSN has been compromised the number to call back was 888-343-9672 phone bank and female with a thick southeast Asia accent
A.C.
Hi, Tina. Thanks for letting us know. 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 D.
My name is Michael Daniel Jones and I received a call today from number 800-325-0778 Recorded message said that Social Security Administration had detected fradulant use of my SSN and ask me to enter my SSN and then redirected me to 800-772-1213. If someone could look into this for and let me know if this is true or false. I would appreciate it very much. Sometimes I don’t get good phone signal where I live so if you get my voice mail I authorize you to leave a detailed message in my mailbox if need be.
A.C.
Hi, Michael. 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.