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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Ember A.
I received a call from a blocked phone number and the recording said I needed to call right away that it was a second attempt to reach me and the inspector general would press charges. The call back number is 1888886318
Dwayne S.
I keep getting a phone call from the people saying that my Social Security number is being close and my driver’s number the phone number that they are calling from is 1-866-898-7187
Janis M.
I’ve been holding now for 45minutes and I’m just trying to confirm the po box address to mail a Payee report to. Also I have an old envelope with a complete different # on it, from the new one recently mailed to me by someone saying he was from the SS office. This concerns me because when talking to this person he mentioned a routing number! I’ve Never been asked this before. My sister was contacted by a phishing call before, she gave info however she is Mentally Handicapped. I reported this to SS Officials .
William D.
I called 1-800 772-1213 and spoke with someone and they assured me that they were legit and asked for my social security ,birth date, address, full name and I gave it to them. are they legitimate or did I get scammed I called the SSI number and assume I was safe.
A.C.
Hi, William. We understand your concern. You can safely conduct business at our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. You can also contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Sergio
+1 (346) 237-9321 Call for social security money and fraude
Catherine K.
Got a phone call with message – unable to get the full message by the time I answered the call – saying there was a possible fraudulent use of my social security number and to call 855-882-4757. Don’t know if this is an actual call from SSA or not. How do I find out?
Betty A.
I received the 3rd call already this morning from 1-877-449-0507 saying my social security has been stopped and I should contact that no. I know this is a scam. Just wanted to give you the no. Don’t know how to block it. My no. Is 779-946-9947. Betty Austin
Craig S.
My sister who is on permanent disability (mental health), received a call to verify information to update their records. The strange thing is they set up an appointment to call her back on the 20th of February. I am trying to get my sister to tell me exactly what they said and asked (Eg – any personal data). She said they want her to have all her home bills handy. Is this something the government does? I would think it would be handle through the mail and the interview done at one of the Social Security offices that are here locally. I am concerned this is a new wrinkle in the scammers arsenal.
Teresa P.
Is there any place to report the number that is calling you? I have had 7 calls on my office direct dial number that is a definite scam. The number is 216-539-9152 and the computer-generated message asks me to call this number.
A.C.
Hi, Teresa. Thank you for checking in with us. 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.
Kathy
I got 2 calls 2 days in a row on my cell phone threatening legal action against my SS account.
850-254-1267 and 206-825-7734. I am so sick of these calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A.C.
Hi, Kathy. 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.