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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Joann S.
I keep getting calls from 956-948-4148 that they are going to start legal proceedings for using my ss# fraudulently . they keep calling even left me voice mail. They also told me my drivers license will be suspended the ssa doesn’t do that do they?
A.C.
Hi, Joann. 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.
Joann L.
I received a call from Social Security ? Requesting I call back to 210-625-5304. Is this from Social Security? My email is jzondorak@aol.com. Why would they be calling me ?
Mary D.
I recieved a call from 770 954 7093 to return their call fro SSA. IS THIS A SCAM. I have not called them bac
A.C.
Hi, Mary. Thanks for checking in with us. Keep in mind 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.
David S.
robo call voicmale about suspending due to suspicious activity ? I deleted call and blocked #. Who would I contact to verify malicious activity ?
A.C.
Hi, David. 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.
Jerry B.
Attention: Call fraud from 573 215 -4092. Claims to have cancelled SSN because of unknown reason.
Thought others should be warned, I did not respond but kept the voicemail in archives on phone.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Jerry. 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. Thanks, again.
William H.
Received a scam call from ph 772-213-9351 trying to fish my SSN. Is anyone with the goverment or law enforcement working to catch and prosecute these people? I will assist if needed.
thanks.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, William. 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.
Loretta Z.
I was contacted by Jonathan Belford badge number 90619 6 s a. he said he was from the Social Security Administration office. he said I have a case against me for fraudulent use of my social security numbers and cards he said the case number is DC 701-1039. is this a fraudulent call or is somebody fraudulently using my social security number somewhere else and getting me about to be arrested I would like to know. Did not ask for any account numbers or money. I just want to make sure this is all real. So I can deal with it properly.
V.V.
Hi Loretta. 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 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.
Heidi
I received a scam call from a Mississippi number 8103690716 Pretending to be social security administration
V.V.
Hi Heidi. 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 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.
william m.
I was contacted by an SSA representative is posing as a as a sable enforcement agent when I received the call I have the phone number from Washington State stating that I would be in deep trouble and that my vehicle that was rented it my name was used in a Ada sting that people were arrested in when I asked them to identify me by quoting my so security number back to me to verify who they were they could not they then put me on the phone with a Bea agent supposed DEA agent and after that he couldn’t give me the so security number I then immediately hung up and called you
V.V.
Hi William. 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 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.
Patricia B.
I’m getting calls on my cel number from an 800# aledging to be social security. An automated voice informs me that my social security benefits have been suspended to to fraudulent activity and to “press 1 to continue”. I don’t answer these calls and this message is left on voice mail. How do I confirm that my social security benefits are not suspended?
V.V.
Hi Patricia. 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 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.