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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Phyllis E.
On 8/1/2019 I received a call from Benavides, Texas from 361/256/7073. I was told my social sec. card had been used for criminal activity and I should call them back to avoid any criminal charges. I did not call. Should I do anything else?
Angrl L.
I like to report some scammers possing as if the are working for social security and disability. They call my number and a they offer extra benefits to us seniors with part A and part B. The thing is that they ask plots of questions . I believe that social security will not do that or at least not in that way. Too faceless! I tried the number after I hung up to the couple of oriental guys using American names as part of their scam process and that number it’s not a working number. For reference, the number beczuse i check them without giving any information. Then, i block the numbers. But they have hundreds of them so it’s something that is go in to stop until our authorities take control.of the situation. Heee is the number; (850)695-1113 . That is only one number of the many other numbers used by scammers and unfortunately, 99% of those calls you will hear an oriental accent with an American name. Shame on rhrm!!!
L.A.
Hi Angrl. 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.
Carl J.
Received several phone calls from area code 855 –
These include 178-6701, 844-5805, 620-9924, 847-2265, and 802-0003.
Assuming these are scam calls saying our SS number has been hacked or something to that effect.
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Carl. 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.
Alvin R.
Received an automated phone call stating my social security number was being used in Texas. I hung up.
The number that called was 605 642 2234.
L.A.
Hi Alvin. 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.
Tonya J.
had a call today from social security name came up as lifeprotect247 number is 800-555-4975 was not sure where to report this
L.A.
Hi Tonya. 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.
Carl S.
I am receiving calls from various numbers claiming my SSN had been “deactivated” due to “suspicious activity.” I’ve tried to report these calls but cannot because your site will not accept the report without a myriad of “required fields” that this caller is not making available. Is there a form to report these calls? PLEASE DON’T LINK ME TO THE “REPORT ABUSE” PAGE, that is the one I am referring to.
L.A.
Hi Carl. If you are having trouble with the online report, you also have the option of reporting the calls to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271. 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.
Vincent B.
I received a call today telling me my account was being shut down because of fraud. The number they asked me to call back to was 715-629-1812. I am assuming this is an attempt to get info.
Juliette L.
I have received 5 calls today supposedly from Social Security Administration. The recorded voice tells me my SS# has been comprised and it will be deactivated. To find our details I am instructed to dial 1. I have hung up at this point. Two of the calls are from an 865 area code and 3 are from 888 area codes.
Brent E.
I received two calls from someone claiming to be the SSA. They left a recorded message when I didn’t answer the first call that said that my SS number had been compromised and that I should call them back. When they called back I answered and got the same message. So I called back and a lady with an accent said that someone in TX was trying to use my number. She wanted my SS number so that she could give me more information. I almost gave it to her but thought that I needed to call the SSA directly rather than responded to the call from them. When I saw this article I think it was a scam. She was in a large room. I could hear many other voices in the background. They called me from 224-386-0466 and from 224-386-0454. Hope this is helpful. Brent Eflin
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Brent. 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.
Mr. C.
I received a robo-call this morning at 11:50 AM CDT with female voice telling me that my “Social Security number was suspended due to suspicious activity. Press 1 for further information.” I did not press 1 and hung up, then used Last Call return service to get their calling number of 866-366-9549.