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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Stephen C.
Fraud call telling me that my SSI number was suspended. Call from 239-717-4448
L.A.
Hi Stephen. 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.
Ava S.
I received a call, said social security administration, phone 1 888-717-1524, I blocked the call, i didn’t think social security ever called! Did a reverse search and said social security administration, 30 Christy Dr, Brockton, Ma 02301, so now I don’t know if it was legitimate or not! They can put names on different phone numbers!
kevin p.
I received a phone call about social security being canceled. I’m not receiving any benefits at the present time.
I hung up the phone immediately. I just wanted to give you the number from this scam organization. The phone number was 1-520-231-3062 my caller ID listed the number from ???? Canyon Arizona.
Like I said I hung immediately because I knew it was a scam. Because I’m not getting social security benefits.
Thank you very much.
David
The following individual who claims to be an Agent for SSA called me
Name- Glen Edward
badge – GE9310
phone – 210-987-1884
Shannon s.
844-412-0741
844-380-9832
Is the number calling me
A.C.
Hi, Shannon. 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. Thanks, again.
Daniel
I had two calls in the past two days threat me if I react to the call I will be in contempt.
Gary
I received two phone calls and voice mails this morning, both were from 929-259-6246. A message was left to “call Social Security Administration as soon as possible to reach department at 929-259-6246”.
Sounds like a scammer
Arthur H.
Just called by 713-710-3289 and foreign voices asking me to give info and saying arrest warrant for me. I said I doubt it etc, and when I said I am giving no information they hung up. It was a robo call at first which announced irregularities, and when got a person he stated arrest threat
JAMES E.
I received two calls from SSA 8/14/2019
#1 @ 4:25 PM / 844-854-5515
#2 @ 6-41 PM / 844-591=3711
Stating that my SS# has been used fraudulent way. and I need to call them. I did not return their call. This is not the first time this has happened. I have reported before.
BOB
phishing scam phone call from
899-341-4810
L.A.
Hi Bob. 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.