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.
Ricky L.
Yeah I was approved on April 17th or this year and still waiting817 770 5943
Barbara D.
Received call from 210-405-8868 San Antonia Tx saying call them , something about legal enforcement action and criminal activity on my SS card. I have no idea of what this is. No name used ,just said he was the department .
John
I got the same call as above with an automated voice saying call 410-401-8780 because my ss# stolen and they were going to freeze all of my accounts if I don’t call back.
The IRS scam got old and now the losers are trying something different.
Leah S.
I just got a call from a robot saying it was from the SS office and they suspected my identity had been stolen. The number to call was 410-401-8780. Just wanted to report the crooks!
John
Me too… the call came in 7/10/18 @ 12:27pm from 410-401-8780 and asked to call back that same number.
Dale S.
A call from a fraudulent SSA person this afternoon said to call 1-443-951-9586 or they would start with legal proceedings. I know this is a scam but wanted to report it
George N.
I’ve been receiving phone calls claiming my social security # has been suspended. The call came in from 916.226.4913 and requests a call back. What should I do?
R.F.
Hello George. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Thanks.
Al
“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.”
I have an issue with this statement. I have heard that SSA will never make an unsolicited call to an individual and have been telling this to those I know. People can be misled by this information.
Kathleen R.
Got a call from 413-453-4986 Deerfield MA
Is this a valid call from SS?
R.F.
Hi Kathleen. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks!
Patricia P.
Shortly after applying for Social Security benefits online I received an email saying I need to call 1-855-897-4927 ext. 27734 and ask for a Mr. M. Mutima regarding when my benefits will start. I called your toll free number (800-772-1213) and due to the long wait left a message for them to return my call. When they did I spoke with Lauren who asked me for what I considered personal info and then was told the 855 number was legit and I should call them I still didn’t feel right, but called the number and got a message to leave my name and social security number. I hung up. This number is showing registered to a private residence in. Therefore, I am still suspicious.
Patricia P.
I followed up with the phone number by calling our local office and they confirmed the number was legit and the person is the one handling my account. I feel a little better now. Don’t know why the number came up to a local address in apex though.
Maribeth
Received a message with a computerized voice saying there were multiple criminal actions associated with my SSN and to call 844-298-7929.
I realize this is a scam. I’m writing because I didn’t find the above number associated with a SSN scam (when I searched the internet).
New?
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Maribeth. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).