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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Lilia M.
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Albert K.
Cancel phone appointment for July 26 2018 @9:00am
Karen M.
I just received a call from phone number 401.584.0954 stating that my social security number has been compromised. Can you please tell me if this is a scam.
R.F.
Hello Karen, Social Security Administration (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.
The Federal Trade Commission, which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees. If a person receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Thanks!
Catherine M.
I received a letter in the mail regarding a refund of a payment. The number to call is 844-885-6621. Can you tell me if this is a legitimate number at SSA.
V.V.
Hi Catherine, thank you for checking with us. Social Security employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes, and occasionally send correspondence to individuals requesting a return phone call. Anytime you have questions about any communication – email, letter, text or phone call – claiming to be from SSA, we ask that you 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 7p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy. (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks!
Jose
I got a call from 301 637 7473 that my social security was compromised would Social Security Administration make such a call from such a number thanks
R.F.
Hello Jose. Social Security Administration (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 or the OIG, 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).
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees. Citizens may report “scams” to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Ronald L.
I received a call from a person that said there was some fraudulent activities on my SSI account. They left me a number to call them back on, 833-227-2128, is this a valid number? Should I call them back or is it a scam?
R.F.
Hello Ronald. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen confirm personal information over the phone. If a person receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens should report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Edward
Why have social security phone you at all even if I know about the situation..yes nothing is fool proof..but I have to worry about enough already..even e mails are not fooll proof but keep reminding me of the things social security want do to get personal info..thanks for adding one more thing for me to worry about
holly s.
We received a call from this number this morning, 14104018780 from Brooklyn, Maryland, indicating we had fraudulent activity and needed to call this number before our account shut down. I realized that this was a call to get our information and thought I should report it. I am not sure if this is the right place but I waited on the phone through your normal phone service but it took too long as I have to get ready for work. hope this helps
R.F.
We apologize for the long wait, Holly. When calling our toll free number (1-800-772-1213), you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
You may also report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
Thank you for sharing the information.
ARLENE H.
Thank you for any help you can give to me.
Arlene
ARLENE H.
I was in trouble and needed a good reliable auto. I purchased a (what I thought was good car). I traded it in and bought another used auto. My husband died in 2014 and I had to sell my home that I lived in for over 20 years. My husband was a very sick veteran with a ruptured aorta. I brought him home with all of the oxygen and took care of him since 1997. I lost my job! So I had to sell my home and it was tough finding another home for me and my son who has been out of work (another long story). I’m strapped with a car that I thought was a good buy, but too expensive. I’ve been making payments of $330.00 a month and just realized this will be for 5 more years and I’m short on funds for food right now. I can’t find work for myself as I’m 80 years of age, but I’m still willing to work. Is there any help our there for me. Is there any help out there for me?