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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Cheryl A.
My mother got to calls saying her SS number was being used all over the country and if she did not contact them they would suspend her SS. Their call back number 773-302-0027.
L.A.
Hi Cheryl. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Lynda
I keep getting phone calls from a Texas number with a recording in a threatening nature saying that my Social Security benefits will be suspended if I don’t provide them with my personal and financial information. This is the 3rd time this morning.
A.C.
Hi, Lynda. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Randolph P.
Received two calls in one day and both where form Texas,,
254-275-2336, /806- 237- 9727
Both callers said my ss # had been cancelled. This is a scam!
L.A.
Hi Randolph. 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 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.
Sandra B.
You very nicely give a link to report on a phone call that is not from you, but the site has nothing to do with phone calls: its for fraud waste and abuse issues: businesses. It would be very nice if you would update your web site.
I was told, by a lady with a lovely British voice, that my SSN has been suspended. I know that’s not true. The call came from 800.941.1806 shortly before 6 o’clock tonight.
Linda G.
I have been called 3 times today and was told that my ss# has been suspended because of suspicious activity. if I wanted further details press1. I just hung up. I did call social security to make sure everything was ok. The number is 1-866-602-8776. I sure hope something can be done.
L.A.
Hi Linda. 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 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.
Dale H.
I got a call today @ 12:44 PT that said it was social secuity the number that called was 210 346 8071. I gave them nothing. Dale Howard
L.A.
Hi Dale. 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 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 W.
I recieved a call from 503-203-6587 telling me to call this number back because they where suspending my social security number for fraud. Was this you I havent given any info out.
A.C.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Jan A.
Why can’t I get a human on the phone for a simple question regarding SS application? I have requested a call back 3 times, & each time I am transferred to another number where I am holding for over 45 minutes! This is quite unrealistic…..
A.C.
Hi, Jan. We are sorry for your frustration. If you still need assistance, click “Get Help” in your personal my Social Security account to “Ask a Question”. Click “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. We hope this helps.
Gregg I.
I received a phone call from 844 385-2825 with a message that my SS number has been involved with some kind of fraudulent activity.
Please let me know if this is llegitimate.
Thank you,
Gregg Izzo
A.C.
Hi, Gregg. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Cheryl B.
My husband received a call about a red flag warning on my SS #…a recording, he thinks.
What am i to think about this? legitimate or not?
L.A.
Hi Cheryl. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.