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.
jeanne m.
I got a phone call saying if I do not file/apply for retirement benefits right away, my SSI will stop. It was on a Saturday, and the caller stated they were having to work overtime. Is this a scam or is it factual?
L.A.
Hi Jeanne. 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.
Keenan
How come y’all scamming the United States for money? Fuck yalls. Pay my ass 3600 a month when I’m 67? Bro from working 18-67 my investment of just my social security to y’all fucks would be worth almost two million. Y’all are some cheap scate stealing whores fuck you all!
Rochelle h.
I received a call saying they were ss and there’s a arrest warrant for me for fraudulent use of my card!! My wallet wit ss card was stolen a cpl weeks ago and now I’m scared that this is true!! Could sm1 please email me rochellemommyof4@gmail.com
L.A.
Hi Rochelle. 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.
Marilyn S.
I received a call 9/6/2019 saying they were from Social Security and my number had been disabled do to suspicious activity.
I hung up with no reply to them.
L.A.
Hi Marilyn. 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.
Alicia
Usually I received a call every day and they said , we founded in our records you qualify for Social Security Disability. Which is wrong thank you God I don’t have any disability, how I can qualify .
this the number I received calls. her name is Amber
and the # phone is 571-380-8463
thanks
L.A.
Hi Alicia. 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.
Lora V.
Received a robo call from 1-888-082-6535 saying my SSA number had been used for fraudulent activity and to press one to see what the activity was?
L.A.
Hi Lora. 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.
Robert P.
received a call stating legal enforcement action was filed for Fraudulent activity on my social security number , they want me to call ( 615 ) 378=0439 this number came from Kingston Springs ,TN
L.A.
Hi Robert. 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.
Diane K.
Received an automated voice mail message just now from Phone # 980-638-7917 saying that they were from SS office and that my SS # was being suspended due to illegal activity.? Sounded suspicious to me, so I disregarded the call.
L.A.
Hi Diane. 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.
Jessica b.
I received a call from 866 668 0366 saying my social security number has be used for fraudulent purposes and it has been suspended- nothing in writing only the call. I hung up and looked at this site. What else can be done
L.A.
Hi Jessica. 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.
SUSAN S.
I am trying to verify an individual saying they are from ssa. Her name is Teresa Wydock at 855-249-4342 Ex. 2085999