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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Terry
Please verify that a phone call I recieved yesterday asking for a callback is from a valid SSA employee. I received what I believe was a scam call last week, coincidentally, a day or two after filing for SSA benefits! The Information given was the folllowing:
Name: Blaise
Div: Chicago Workload Support Unit
ID: BJV
Phone #: 1 800-842-0588, Ext. 36526
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Terry. We’re sorry, but we do not have a list of all of the possible phone numbers that Social Security uses. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.
Cheryl F.
I have received 2 calls saying they are from Social Security and that my Social Security number has been used in fraudulent activities in south Texas. The call is automated and says press 1 to speak to an officer. I hung up both times.
L.A.
Hi Cheryl. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Ann G.
I have been getting calls from this number 1-800-618-1372 i’m wondering if this is a scam calling me all the time telling me my Social Security will not come through thank you. I know that Social Security will send me something in the mail and then I know that’s OK but this number I don’t believe is a role Social Security person calling me I believe it’s a scam artist?
A.C.
Hi, Ann. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Bryan T.
I was contacted by someone claiming they were from ssa in texas # 325-268-5366 claiming my benefits were in jeopardy by the magistrate for criminal prosecution
A.C.
Hi, Bryan. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Geraldine W.
I received a call from a “scammer”. To whom do I report this call? The number they left is: 932-246-7956.
A.C.
Hi, Geraldine. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Charlie E.
I been getting a call 1-800-909-5177 saying if they don’t here back it will consider it a intentional fraud and a law suit will be good under my name is this scam.
Bill c.
If paid in to social security and have accumulated 40 quarters can i also get benefits from PERS from another employer and as benefits at the same time
A.C.
Hi, Bill. Thanks for your question. A pension based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies, such as police officers and some teachers) may cause the amount of your Social Security benefit to be reduced. Your benefit can be reduced based on one of two provisions: The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. To learn more, please visit here. We hope this information is helpful.
Cynthia S.
Got a phone call from Social Security office saying they were going to suspend my benefits. Said I needed to call 430-205-2861. Is this call legit?
Brad D.
Getting calls from 209-488-1688 stating that my social security number has been compromised and to avoid it getting suspended speak to the investigator in charge, I hang up
L.A.
Hi Brad. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Ruby R.
Received a letter statingthey did not receive the information sent to me for my application.please let them know I did send it in October. Did not keep copies.Please let me know what to send. Thank you.will get copies