Frauds & Scams

Is that Phone Call From Us?

October 30, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

woman talking on the phone 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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Comments

  1. Anna V.

    I tried to contact your office to report a suspicious phone call but couldn’t get to anyone. I never call Gov offices because I know that receiving any help is out of the question. When I received the call, I was so mad because I don’t sleep well and was just getting to sleep after 20 hours of sleeplesness. Your warnings about fraud calls pretty much confirmed that it was a fraud call so I am another victim of this ruse.

  2. April

    I’m applying for SS I received a call from 469-656-6039 with a call back number of 855-369-5447 Are these numbers actual social security phone numbers/.

    • A.C.

      Hi, April. Please be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the company. Avoid providing personal information unless you are certain of a person’s authority to have the information. If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from Social Security, please contact your local Social Security office. You may also call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks.

  3. Michael C.

    I received a call from 888-432-3981claiming to be SSA. It was an obvious fraudulent attempt to get my personal information. You should know about this number.

  4. jeris h.

    When attempting to sign up for medicare supplementary insurance in my future location, I was asked for social security number. This, after providing checking account numbers alarmed me, so I refused and hung up. Is it okay now to give ss number on phone?

  5. Peter B.

    Is 1-469-656-6039 a legitimate phone # to be calling me back about a social security question.

  6. Joseph C.

    What is the Federal ID for theSSA in Birmingham,Alabama, please. please respond to my email @jcovertlcarey@gmail.com.
    The purpose is to add the number to my Tax return.
    Thank You all and my regards,
    Joseph Patrick Covert

  7. Joyce M.

    Received voice message from social security Administration that I have suspension notice against my social security number from federal crime and investigation department and I need to call (760) 303 4144 to answer questions. I did not call. Is this a scam? My email is: joycermurata@gmail.com

  8. FELICIA R.

    I received a voicemail of a recorded message today saying my SS has been frozen because of suspicious activity. Press 1 . The number on my voice mail is 469-206-4381
    Is this from SS office?

  9. Latasha j.

    1(410)861-2518 is the number that i had gotten a call from stating that they were the ssa and that i had some fraudulent activity on my account. Is this true or a scammer? Could someone tell me.. Thank you

  10. LEO M.

    I received a call from 206-415-2010 saying it was
    the SSA and that my SS# as had several defects
    and my benefits would be immediately terminated .They
    wanted personal information which I would not provide.
    After a 40 minute wait this was not the case.
    BE CAREFUL AND NO ONE ON THE CALL SPOKE
    GOOD ENGLISH.

Comments are closed.