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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
See Comments
About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Joan
Just got a call, “Officer Joshua Anderson” says my number has been suspended and please call 678-235-8282. Yeah, no.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Joan. 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.
gwen c.
I’m scared, someone called me and knew my last 4 digits of my checking account and said can I call you at 9:30 tomorrow and I wasn’t thinking and that’s a Saturday?
A.C.
Hi, Gwen. 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.
Rebekah D.
Should I pay attention to messages from this number?
1(844) 247-4097
Thank you,
Rebekah Drucker
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Rebekah. 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.
Maria
Have gotten 4 calls today on cell phone from 888-234-9047, 888-867-4151, 888-753-9628, 888-811-5590 message says my SS# has been frozen press 1 for more info. First time they have used toll free numbers.
BEATRIZ Y.
I have not received my retirement check this month, it was suppose to get in my bank on the third of August, direct deposit. It has caused to my monthly payments to be charge $35.00 for each one paid and one of them will be returnes since my overdaraft benefits were made. I never had a problem before, when I called the office they told me that my information is incorrect, how come ?
Charyl N.
Hi I been receiving calls for this number +18004896709 saying that is the social security administration. I call back this number and is something else.
Lynne D.
I just received phone call from 1-888-267-5720 saying they were from ssa telling me my ss card has been suspended for suspicious activity . I tried calling office & inspector general to find out what is going on . Talking to a computer isn’t working . This is stressing me out am I in danger
Moremi
Someone called me from 323-269-0271 claiming that my social security number was compromised. I want to flag this number as a scam to protect others.
Angela E.
I received a call from 1-855-494-1232. They left a recording on my voicemail that said my social security number is suspended because of some suspicious activity on my card, if you want to know why press 1. I didn’t press 1. It was on my voice mail.
W. V.
This number: 800-534-8017, called and left a voicemail claiming to be from the office of social security.
The message stated that I may be subject to legal enforcement action for fraudulent activity on my social security number. It further stated that I should press #1 so that I may speak with an agent to discuss my case file and arrest warrant
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know. 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.