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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Rebecca
I got a call to day from 1-575-079-4661 it said we are calling to alert you your social security number has been suspended because we suspect fraud press 1 for more info but I hung up
L.A.
Hi Rebecca. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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.
William S.
I received phone call yesterday saying that my card and number was suspended and there was arrest warrant being issue for monei laundring the lady name was Sarah William
V.V.
Hi William. Thank you for letting us know. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at http://www.oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here http://www.identitytheft.gov/SSA.
Elizabeth O.
On May 9, 2019 I received 2 calls from 203) 309-1749 (one @8am and the other @9:30am) with a recorded message claiming the caller is from the Social Security, that my ‘social’ is suspect of criminal activity, and to return the call immediately in order to avoid criminal investigation.
L.A.
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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.
Mary M.
My name is Mary Miles and I am writing you all because I don’t have no money to pay for doctors visits, no money pay for housing I am living out on the streets I been homeless since I lost my check my social security check I suffer with bipolar, asthma, depression and it has gotten worse my condition has not changed I am awaiting for a hearing but they was trying to get it where I won’t have to go for a judge
Hamid N.
I received a call from this number today
813-413-7143 that there are suspicious activities on my social Security
how do I know this number is a scam, any way I am not responding but it is wise to know
L.A.
Hi Hamid. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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 E.
I received a phone call message from a recording saying that they were social security office and I needed to contact them before legal proceedings were started on me. The phone number they called from was (888)343-9836.
L.A.
Hi Karen. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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.
Grace P.
I received a call from (605)968-5884. It was a recording saying there was suspicious activity using my SS#.
Would Social Security ever call people and say that via a recording? or live for that matter?
L.A.
Hi Grace. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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.
Camille I.
I received numerous phone call messages telling me my ss# was suspended due to suspicious activity and to call this 800#800-805-7883 or 800-707-6045. When I call nothing happens.
V.V.
Hi Camille. 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.
Jony P.
Excellent post! We are linking to this great post on our website.Keep up the great writing.
Peggy C.
received a phone call stating my social security number has been suspended and asked to call
800-747-5175
Is this a fraud call or is my social security number suspended. I did not call this number.
V.V.
Hi Peggy. Thank you for letting us know about the call. 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.