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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About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Paul A.
Hello, this afternoon I received a phone call from 800-325-0778 saying I had some suspicious activity on my account and for me to hit #1 to check it out…. I did not but just for your info… You probably get so many you can not check it but just wanted to report it to you.
Thanks,
GVL P.
I have received 3 calls telling me my social security number has been discontinued because of unusual activities. I answered the first call and hung up quickly after hearing the robot telling me to push one. They called twice again. The numbers were 1-888-810-0053 (2 calls) then 1-888-810-0050. I want to report these calls as they are fraudulent.
V.V.
Hi there. 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.
John C.
I need a phone call back as I’ve changed my checking account and my April check went to my closed account at my bank.
V.V.
Hi John. Thanks for using our blog. To report a missing Social Security payment and update your direct deposit, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or contact your local Social Security office.
Keith G.
The caller ID had 469-656-6039 and I had a voice message that asked me to call 855-2494340 and gave an extension of 2035029 to call.
Is this a good phone number for the Social Security Administration?
V.V.
Hi Keith, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone 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.
Mindy C.
Received a call from a robot saying that my SS number has been attached to fraud in Texas and that i should call a phone number immediately.
russ
i had the same thing on the same day also from a Texas number(?) 512-377-6220…female voice at the end of the call told me to have a nice day…kind of funny
Jose
I’m a 13 year old kid and I got a call from whoever and the call actually scared me a lot my heart started to races I was so worried that it was actually you guys. I really don’t know anything about you guys to be honest. I have one question or more. Do you guys call us like your “costumers”. Do you say “ we have received some suspicious attitude” and “ we have suspended your account”
Charlotte Q.
Received 2 calls about activity on my SS account. Their # is:512-675-0346
Also saying I need to call back to take care of this problem. Did not call them; just wanted to let you know.
Jian W.
Are these numbers from you:
1-877-856-2257
1-800-7727562
Ken
Your report asks for my SS number? Why?
JACKIE S.
call from 8323218923 saying my Social Security # was suspeneded