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.
Linda C.
I recieved several calls recently, as did many of my friends, saying they were from SSA. They state that my social security number has been fraudulently used in the state of Texas. “To speak to a SS officer press a number”.
The caller ID showed my first 6 digits of my phone #, so I thought it might be a legitimate call, so I answered.
My clues that it was a scammer
SSA wouldn’t use that kind of number
I’ve never heard a SSA employee referred to as an officer
If you knew it was being used fraudulently you could deny access and a live person or letter would notify me.
Scamming is amazing.
L.A.
Hi Linda. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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.
John T.
I received three phone calls today from 1 (804)222-9688
from Reedville, VA
A computerized voice came on telling me that my Social Security had been breached and this needed serious attention. “I hung up” then was called back three times with a voicemail telling me that being blocked or ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for federal criminal offense. It gave me the phone number 804-220-9688 to speak to an executive. etc..
L.A.
Hi John. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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.
JO
Watch out for theses bogus numbers:
+1 713 681 0182
+1 713 797 2578
+1 713 958 4030
A.C.
Thanks, Jo. 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. Thanks again for helping us fight fraud.
Sheila M.
I just answered my cell phone and it was a message saying this is the SSA and your number is being fraudulently used in West Texas and to press one to speak with an agent. I sensed a scam and hung up but I am concerned about my SS number nonetheless. Can you please advise?
A.C.
Hi, Sheila. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Aurelia
Yes I was called saying I had calll back saying about fraud if I didn’t call them back they will take legal action against me I was so scared I don’t know what do I went to social security they just told me it was a scam
taxpayer
Can I simply verify if a phone number is from SSA.
Received three phone calls saying to call 1-855-257-0067 (extension 3075062). Is this a SSA phone number or a scam?
L.A.
Hi. We’re sorry, but we do not have a list of all of the possible phone numbers that Social Security uses. What we can tell you is that we do not usually make random calls. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your 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.
Victor W.
I got a fraudulent call demanding my social security number in the guise of arrest. I want to make sure from social security that no any fraudulent activity is going on. I was sleep and woke up that is how I provided the number.
L.A.
Hi Victor. 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.
B
Hello, I received a phone call from social services, asking me if i was in danger. And asking me where I reside. I’m in the middle of a legal dispute with some family members. I was inquiring if social services call if someone filed a complaint.
A.C.
Hi, B. 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.
Maureen D.
Received a call from Maryland 410-376-5661 at 4:05pm.
This guy with an Indian accent wanted my Date of Birth and SS#.. He said I have a criminal action against my SS# ??
I told him WHO ARE YOU? and if you are calling me from SS, you should know that info! It was then that he spoke my name, called me an Idiot ….I hung up and Blocked his Number
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Maureen. 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.
jerry B.
I received a fraudulent phone call today from 318-266-8169 asking me to call that number about a supposed suspension of my Social Security by a fake federal crime investigation unit. It seemed to be similar to earlier calls. Please attempt to discover the origin of these calls and actual use a true federal agency to stop them.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Jerry. 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.