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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Samira G.
I just received a phone call today from this number 206-231-6022 , I thought I just to share with you , they left me a message saying ” Department is to inform you that there are legal enforcement action is filed against you and your SSN has been suspected for fraudulent activities so once you get this message kindly call us back as soon as possible or press one to speech to our investigating officer call back number is 206-231-6022 I repeat 206-231-6022 thank you …”
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Samira. 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.
mike w.
i got a robo scam call today I think saying “legal action has been filed against my SSA”.
call came from 972-994-6964
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Mike. 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.
CAROL L.
I HAVE RECEIVED 3 AUTOMATED CALLS IN THE LAST 2 HOURS FROM THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS INDICATING MY SS# IS BEING SUSPENDED.
800-925-4963
502-702-7151
It is impossible to get through to a person when I try to report to Social Security Administration. Hope someone sees and follows-up on this
A.C.
Hi, Carol. 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. We hope this helps.
CURTIS S.
I received a call from 1-214-433-8512, they left a message that there has been fraudulent activity on my social security number, I have not responded as requested but when you call the number it answers as social security office
A.C.
Hi, Curtis. 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. We hope this helps.
Jessica S.
What can I do if SSA deposited funds meant for me into my ex’s checking account. And now only part of those funds are available still.
A.C.
Hi, Jessica. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Mike B.
Why would you requst my SS number when I am trying to report a scam I just received. Maybe this website is a scam site also. Ok. In case this is real Note at the same time of the phone calls I received multiple emails from the company Life Lock! I used their service in the past and emails that want me to sign up again! Just a thought
Carolyn M.
Are there any real people that work for the United States Government instead of multiply canned recorded messages that get you nowhere!!!
V.V.
Hi Carolyn. We’re sorry that you had difficulty reaching a Social Security representative. If you call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can visit your local Social Security office.
Remember, many services, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, requesting a replacement Medicare card, or reporting a change of address are conveniently available anytime at our website. When you use your personal my Social Security account, you can click on “Ask a Question” or “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. We hope this helps!
Nancy N.
I received a call from 206-126-7928 notifying me that my (or maybe my husband’s) SS# has been compromised and all activity will be suspended unless….. I blocked the call and then hung up. Thought better of it and thought I should report it.. Hate robo-calls! nsneyman@gmail.com or 724-285-8162. Pleas identify yourselves if you call as I have become brutal in dealing with Robo-calls!
Thank you in advance.
Nancy Neyman
184 Valley View Dr.
Butler, PA 15002
L.A.
Hi Nancy. 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.
Gregg P.
I received a recorded message on my cell phone, that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity. The message itself sounds suspicious to me, but I need to be vigilant. I’ll continue to cruse the SS site, but just in case cannot find my account, I wanted to mention this.
L.A.
Hi Gregg. 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.
Margaret D.
I had a call and voice message saying my SS is discontinued because of fraudulent activity. The number is 877-282-3597.
L.A.
Hi Margaret. 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.