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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Related Articles

Use These Scam Tools to Spot Fraud

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Advancing Equity

Social Security and OIG Establish New Anti-Fraud Units

Slam the Scam: How to Spot Government Imposters

Comments

  1. Betty J.

    received two phone calls and voice messages fro 866-2177-9696. The voice message was ” I’m six again. This is officer David watts SSA social security administration.” I returned the call and the person answering could barely speak English and the call was answered at 5:30 PM EDT. I have blocked the number and gave no information

  2. Daniel M.

    I received a call from 866-635-0789 claiming that there was a violation on my social security number and I should press 1 to talk to an officer, or else I’ll be arrested. I assumed the call was a scam and hung up.

    Was I right?

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Daniel. 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.

  3. Nancy C.

    Hi,
    I received two calls and am not sure what they are for except they left message saying that they (who ever) found some suspicious activity and the call is from the social security office.
    here is the numbers
    888-534-3372 from unknown
    731-474-9909 from Gibson, TN

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Nancy. 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.

  4. Amy J.

    I received this voice mail message telling me that there will be a warrant issued for my arrest. I am sure this is fraud and wanted to report it. I have provided you with the full voice mail and phone number for response that was requested.

    “Ian, this call is that we have received a notice from law enforcement agencies to suspend your social security number on immediate basis as we have received suspicious Trails of information on your name. I need you to call on my department division number that is 406-985-6865. I repeat +469-856-800-8654 better assistance give the last four digits of your Social Security number now. If I don’t hear a call from you then I have to proceed with the arrest warrant and get you arrested. Thank you.”

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Amy. 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.

  5. Charlotte S.

    I keep getting calls from someone who says they are Social Security administration and my SS number has been compromised. I need to call them ASAP. I block # and delete call but as quick as I do that another number comes up on my cell phone. Today Thursday, June 6 call was different. He said my name is Michael Cooper from SS Administration and someone is using your SS# and they are a criminal and have committed criminal offences and I need to call him ASAP. I have been told by SS that these calls are fraud do not call them back. Can you please tell me again if I should be ignoring these calls?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Charlotte. 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.

  6. tom w.

    Received a scam phone call using SSA as basis on 6-6-2019. Attempted to duly report to SSA. Attempted phone call, total run around. Have tried for over 30 minutes, resorted to this. If your care contact me.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Tom. We are sorry to hear you had difficulty reaching us by telephone. Suspicious calls can also be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. Additionally, you can report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

  7. Jason G.

    Got the a call from the following number. I found the same number posted in the attached link – can you please take action to stop these calls!

    https://lookup.robokiller.com/p/325-203-4198

  8. cathy

    i have received two messages from Officer Maria Gomez stating my ssn card has been suspended and asked to call 1 325 203 4198

    • L.A.

      Hi Cathy. 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.

  9. Larry L.

    I just received a second call from 1-800-331-8135 saying the police have confiscated my SS number and I need to press one or call the number back immediately, can someone please tell me who, or where I can talk to a SSA representative about this. I can’t seem to find a number that will let me talk to a live person. Thanks

    • A.C.

      Hi, Larry. 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.

  10. Donald V.

    Filing a complaint with Social Security about Phone fraud is almost imposable .Very difficult . Getting phone calls from a phone number claiming to be social security wanting has to call ,Phone number 713-904-3382 Is this Social security

Comments are closed.