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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About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Ruth S.
I received a call claiming to be from the SSA, saying that I had been reported for fraudulent activity and that if I didn’t call back immediately charges would proceed. The number that called was 915-228-3793.
andrew S.
received spam call at 4:51 from 1-830-460-2396, Bandera, TX. advising my SS # had been suspended due to suspicious activity. Did not answer, nor returned call. Reporting as a concerned citizen,
Thank you
Dorothy W.
Just received call from 817 603-9812
FortWorth and don’t think it was from Social
Security.
Maureen G.
Why don’t you have a quick reference area where we can report the scam phone numbers. I don’t have their business name, address, etc. These “Randoms” called on my cell phone threatening me via a recording. They said they were advising me to call 443-840-6781 immediately before they pursued “legal action”. I’m sure it’s a scam but maybe the next person won’t be and will deliver their confidential information into the hands of these creeps!
Patricia K.
I have had 2 calls that my social security has been suspended. There is no call back number. I do have a social security PTD. The phone number1.830.744.0333 and 1.830.013.1465. I did not give any information. Theydo not leave phone call numbers to return a phone calls. Thank You
DAvid W.
I have been trying for a week to contact someone, anyone at SSA. I have emailed and called and nothing.
Are you sending me these emails?
Be sure to create a my Social Security account
Social Security Administration
Thu 8/1/2019 11:51 PM
Social Security Administration Social Security Update Newsletter
Social Security Administration
Wed 7/31/2019 3:42 PM
To:
White, David;
Unsubscribe
Putting you in control
Please advise
Gary W.
I’ve been getting phone calls for fraud every 2 days from a different number and state. Its all automated recordings that threaten me that if I don’t call this number that I will be prosecuted. I’ve been just hanging up, but this is getting really old now as its effecting my health. I started to get really bad chest pains this last time they called me. Its not funny, they are going to cause someone to have a serious problem or die because of their stupidity. Thank you for reading this and hope you can stop all of this.
Gary W. Cramblit
Christine K.
Hi I have received four calls today stating that my SS# is suspended due to suspicious activity. I have not answered the calls this is what their voicemail says. They called from three different numbers.. (830) 160-4216, 830-783-0132.
Cynthia C.
I received two calls, one on my cell phone and the other on my home phone. the first call came on Thursday July 25th and the other on August 1. The message was that my social security number had been suspended due to suspicious activities and I would be arrested if not taken care of.no name was given accept Dept. of SSA
Chris
The reporting option available through the Office of the Inspector General does not seem appropriate for reporting telephone calls misrepresenting themselves as coming from or on behalf of the SSA. The level of information requested in the reporting form is too detailed and much of this information is unknown because the only information available to report is the telephone number from which the call was received, particularly as the guidance is to hang up immediately.
The detailed form for reporting fraud is off putting for people like myself who simply want to report a fraudulent call received. I think it would be helpful if people could have a simpler means of reporting phone numbers from which they have received fraudulent SSA calls.