Frauds & Scams

Is that Phone Call From Us?

October 30, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

woman talking on the phone 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Paula B.

    I was called by fraudulent number 240-224-9847

  2. Brian K.

    I received a phone call claiming to be the SSI, from Des Moines, IA. phone number is (515) 619-6284, and its registered to a Tony William. My Verizon spam filter flagged it when it rang, so I did not answer. an automated message was left on my voicemail requesting a call back. I will not call that number unless I hear back that it is in fact a legitimate SSI call. Thank You

  3. Keith E.

    I Received a call this morning about my Social Number being compromised
    the phone number 720-420-6945

  4. James J.

    I received a cell phone call that left a recorded message that I could face charges and have to go in front of a magistrate. So I called the number back and it was a foreigner that spoke broken English said he was with Social Security office and I immediately told him this must be one of the Scam caller and he hung up. The number is 1 (877) 641-1058, so think these clown need to be arrested for trying to scam me and all other, that somehow get my cell number from who knows where

  5. Joie e.

    I have received two calls telling me that my SS account is suspended because I am guilty of fraud. I hung up immediately on hearing this.

    The other call said that if I did not contact them they would proceed with the lawsuit against me.

    These disgusting predators should be jailed for life with no access to phones or computers. They are a disgrace.

  6. Bernard W.

    Got voice mail from a man “from the SS Admi. ….. is a legal enforcement action….. your SS number… for criminal activities. ….so ASAP 7030139.. I repeat 76030163….before we get in with legal proceeding can you”…
    It is very stupid as written because that was precisely how it was stated. I have not done anything wrong and obviously the bozo is a scam. It is now in your court.
    I will not respond to the vm above.

  7. Kristi s.

    I didnt answer the phone but I got a voice mail, a strange sounding voice said I had to call immediately and it was very threatening sounding. I think it was a scam. I can’t imagine Social Security not sending a letter if they wanted to talk to me and I get a lot of strange sounding scam type calls phone calls from a lot of different numbers anyway. Thats why I never answer my phone if I don’t recognize the number.

  8. Kevin J.

    Today I received a voice recording saying that someone was using my social security number. I was urged to call back immediately. Of course, I didn’t.

    The number of the caller was:

    1-877-547-0489

  9. Marvin H.

    have received 3 calls from 510-928-8119 claiming to be Soc Sec and that my number has been used in TX. They wanted me to press 1 to be connected to Officier whatever. Needless to say I hung up. Does it do any good to report it to Soc Sec>

  10. Steven W.

    Today Jan 21, 2020 received a phone call from area code 318 353 7589 about 12:00 noon

    A woman than a man said my SS # was compromised
    I hung up on the scam call

Comments are closed.