New Updates to Our Warning About Social Security Phone Scams
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: January 13, 2021
The Inspector General for Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is again warning the public about widespread Social Security-related telephone scams. These scams may use sophisticated tactics to deceive them into providing sensitive information or money.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has recently received reports of telephone scammers using real Social Security and OIG officials’ names — many of which are publicly available on our websites or through an online search. Other common tactics to lend legitimacy to scams are citing “badge numbers” of law enforcement officers. Some request that people send email attachments containing personal information about an “investigation,” or text links to click on to “learn more” about a Social Security-related problem.
Inspector General Ennis wants you to know Social Security will never:
- Suspend your Social Security number because someone else has used it in a crime.
- Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
- Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or mailing cash.
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
- Send official letters or reports containing your personal information via email.
“Don’t believe anyone who calls you unsolicited from a government agency and threatens you — just hang up,” Inspector General Ennis said. “They may use real names or badge numbers to sound more official, but they are not. We will keep updating you as scam tactics evolve — because public awareness is the best weapon we have against them.”
If you owe money to Social Security, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. If you receive a letter, text, call or email that you believe to be suspicious, about an alleged problem with your Social Security number, account, or payments, hang up or do not respond.
We encourage you to report Social Security scams — or other Social Security fraud — via the OIG website. You may also read all previous Social Security OIG fraud advisories on our website. Please share this information with your friends and family to help spread awareness about Social Security scams.
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Tags: fraud, scams, social security, telephone scams
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Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General
About Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General
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Marian H.
I have received several calls telling me that there was a warrant for my arrest due to activity around my social security account. I have reported these calls, along with the number they call from, to the OIG. Also, using a service like NOMOROBO.com (suggested by Vonage.com) helps to filter out unwanted computer generated calls. If I do get one, I just hang up.
Tena M.
I got a call yesterday, from this number 210-537-0667, saying they were the local Police and there was illegal activity with my Social Security and they were going to stop my payments. I hung up!
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Tena. 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.
Pim B.
Thank you, very good advice about safety problems. It seems to happen here in Europe as well.
People of age like me are definitely the easier targets.
Pim Broere
Joseph R.
First of all, you are some Federal agency or Congres should be going after the companies who are responsible for allowing access to these bad actors. Thst would be Google,Facebook, Tweeter and anyone else who are responsible for providing online access with no responsibility to protect the public. We have been left with paying for all kind of security products. We the people should not have to put a fence around our lives. Do your job: Maybe you should be prosecuting those companies who have provided us with products that put us at risk! Do your job and go after them: Online service providers! I know that if you respond it will be with governmental, wordy garbage!
4346 V.
People committing fraud have got the upper hand I get fraudulent calls 4 to 5 times a week I don’t know who to believe anymore. Very scary
Grant S.
It’s okay, I usually ask which office they are calling from. Then I hang up, check the LISTED #, call it, then ask for the person who supposedly called. Other options: ask for an in person appointment or tell them you will wait for the subpoena. They will claim COVID restrictions,then you say good bye and hang up
J. A.
I suggest this valuable information should be published in the Press.
J. Almeida
THIEN V.
I have received a call claiming that my social security number has been used in other state like Texas. I was asked to call back but I just ignored it.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Thien. 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.
Nicky K.
I have had call(s) letting me know that my SS card number was suspended for fraudulent use. How can America put a man on the moon but can’t stop trash calls like this from coming after the little bit of money seniors get to live on after working in America for 50+ years, I don’t understand this attitude regarding seniors, it really is lousy!
Seina G.
Someone called me for a recertification today was it legit
V.V.
Hi Seina, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone if they have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security may be calling for a redetermination which is a review of non-medical eligibility factors (i.e., income, resources, and living arrangements) to determine whether you’re still eligible for and receiving the correct SSI payment. To see if Social Security did make that call, you would need to call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.