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.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Mary R.

    I have been receiving a robo call from 844-309-6002 saying there is a problem with my social security number. Just letting you know it is going around again. I have had at least 10 calls in three days. I do not answer and the message instructs me to call that number.

  2. Samuel S.

    Thanks for keeping us safe.

  3. Michelle S.

    I have received numerous telephone calls this morning claiming to be from the Department of Social Security administration and stating that my social security number was going to have to be reissued because of suspicious activity and for more information about the case to press “1”. I hung up 3 different times and they have called back from various phone numbers saying the exact same thing, and never using my name, but is this a new problem that has been reported? I am aware not to give anyone personal information and this is a recording but it is still upsetting to even think for a second about the prospect of your ss# being cancelled despite my not doing anything which is obviously the intent.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Michelle. 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. Patricia S.

    I have received 4 or 5 calls today saying that my social security number has been suspended due to a misuse of it each of the calls was from a different number. I am not sure what to do as I have been mislead before.
    I currently receive Social Security and am concerned.
    I am on hold now and have been for 45 minutes. I expect to be on hold for another 45 minutes.
    Thank you
    My email is Psprague1317@outlook.com

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Patricia. 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. Hirach M.

    The government does not do anything to catch these crooks. They probably make fortunes by scaring people and stealing from them. No protection from the authorities.

  6. Joseph M.

    I just received a voice message that said “my Social Security number had been suspended because of suspicious activity.” The call number was 802 901 3249.

    Is this a scam call? it is not the Social Security Number of 800 722 1213

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Joseph. 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.

  7. Kim G.

    I have received 6 robo calls in a matter of 2 1/2 hrs stating that SS has locked my SSnumber . where and how do I find out if this is a scam or for real

    • J.Y.

      Hi Kim. 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.

  8. Jean K.

    I get phone calls from 872-484-claiming to be social security, but I think they are phony. How can I stop this?

  9. Larry C.

    I contacted by someone claiming to be the IRS and my social security number had been fraudulently used in Texas. They offered a number to contact to confirm my information, i didn’t get the offered number, but, copied the they called in on, 1 844 673 2141. Please, contact me if you have questions.

  10. Jeffrey A.

    I’ve been receiving calls saying they are from the SS administration and that my SS number has been hacked. The receiving phone number comes up restricted. So no help there. Recently I did use a form filler program with my SS number for applying to the State Dept. for a federal passport.

Comments are closed.