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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
See Comments
About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
John P.
Just received a phone regarding recent application for Social Security benefits. Person self identified as Ms. Nilsa Ruiz said that I could start receiving benefits earlier than the month that I had applied. Gave Me #’s to verify her as a SSA agent: 1-800 772-1213 (seemed to be accurate) and 855-897-4927 x- 27755.
V.V.
Hi John, thank you for checking in with us. Anytime you have questions about any communication that claims to be from Social Security, 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).
Susan H.
I received a call from 1-833-676-3637 stating that I have someone that is using my social security number. To call them back and give them additional information. I will not call because I think it is a faud call.
A.C.
Hi, Susan. 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Betty J.
My husband received a call today telling him that a (his) social security number had indicated criminal activity. He was to call 1-719-347-8363 for discussion. He never said a word the caller just began (probably a robocall) talking. They never asked for his ss# just gave a number to call.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Betty. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Randall B.
The number the message was sent on today was (773) 279-5555, probably spoofing a legitimate business number, to a local number in Pasadena, CA.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Randall. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Cheryl L.
Received call from 603 253 2765 saying they represent Social Security Admin. Scam!
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Cheryl. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
van c.
FYI……………………………………………………………………….
I just received a threatening message saying may Social Security benefits will stop immediately unless I provide personal information. Here is the culprit’s phone number
281-299-0232.
A.C.
Hi, Van. 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Travis
These two number called me today claiming that my SS number had been comprised. +1 (844) 899-3738 And +1 (254) 632-8596
Pamela
I have received 2 scam calls saying they are from the SSA office. where do I report this?
V.V.
Hi Pamela. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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.
Ruth F.
FYI: New scam call:
I received this call @ 8:03 am 4-17-19. (I’m in Seattle)
Caller ID: “Unknown Name”
Phone # 330-597-8631 (of course I let it go to messages):
Recorded male voice, no accent – obviously computer generated):
“The nature behind this call is to inform you about a Suspension Notice we have received against your Social Security number by the Federal Crime and Investigation Department. We need to talk to you as soon as possible. Again this call is from Social Security Administration. Number to reach department is
330-597-8631 (repeated #) Thank you.”
V.V.
Hi Ruth. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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
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.
W.E.BROWN
I received an obvious scam call today 4/16/19, via recording, suugesting fraud using my soc sec number sand requesting a call to 315-257-2442.I called and reached an Indian woman, who knew my name phone & address. Her main interest was to have me give her my Soc Sec # to verify i was the actual person. The bacground noise was very loud, indicating a large “bullpen” of scammers. OF COURSE, NO ONE SHOULD GIVE OUT THEIR social security number. if so FRAUD WILL SOON BEGIN.