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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Michelle
Got an automated call from 405-317-6394 from an officer white and saying I need to call back
OanJelete
I got a call from 980.294.6998 claiming my ssn was suspended and I would be arrested if I didn’t respond.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, OanJelete. 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.
WH
Got a call from 518- 698-5969 claiming my ssn is going to be suspended and it’s important to speak to a representative so I pressed one, a woman came on the line after a 6 minute hold and said “social security administration, how can I help you?” I said “you called me so tell me about your scam!” She replied “nnnaaa naaaawa” something like that and hung up.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, WH. 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.
Sheldon K.
I received a call from a 408 area code which is my area code of my cell phone. He claimed that his name was Richard Webber and that he was a commissioner of the Social Security crime division. He had a very strong Indian accent. He told me that there was a warrant out for my arrest and that my social security number has been suspended. He told me that the FBI was going to show up to my house. I told him to let me speak to his supervisor but he claimed he was in charge. I asked him for a callback number which he gave me 916-271-1942 so I called back the 408 number which was invalid and then the 916 number and he answered. He knew my address and social security number. I tried to tell him 5 times that Social Security, the IRS and the FBI would never call someone. It is not their way to operate. He kept on talking over me. I eventually told him to shut up and listen to me which he never shut up. I told him he was a liar and a fraud which he did hear and he called me a liar. I told him I was going to report him to both the FBI and Social Security crime division and told him that I am done and never call me back. I told him to send the FBI.
What I am concerned about is why and how he had my Social Security number. I knew about these scams so I never let him get to the part of sending him money. I wasn’t born yesterday.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Sheldon. 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.
Whenever 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.
Greg
I just turned 65 and received a call that was labeled US Govt Ssa 337 235 0432 I did not answer it. I called aarp scam hotline and they told me this number is a great possibility of a scam.
A.C.
Hi, Greg. 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.
Sharon B.
The past two days I have received a message from 209.602.1098 stating that it was the SSA and to reach them, requested that I press number 1 on the same number that was called into my phone. Messages have been deleated and the number blocked on my phone.
A.C.
Hi, Sharon. 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. Thanks, again.
Cathy S.
Received a call from 805-625-6271 claiming legal enforcement actions filed against me and I needed to call back at 1-866-217-6110
A.C.
Hi, Cathy. 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.
Mark P.
I received a phone message from 801-953-2106 giving me a dire warning about bad things going on with my SSN, including that SS was going to seize my bank accounts. They said it was critical for me to call 866-217-6110 to talk to a SS Officer and resolve the problem. I did not call.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Mark. 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.
maureen t.
received a call from 205-315-0714 claiming they are Social Security – SCAM
A.C.
Hi, Maureen. 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.
Jasmine R.
Received calls from the following phone numbers: 386-428-8224 and 480-812-0200. They were automated and once I heard the robotic message, I hung up. They seem to calling excessively these days.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Jasmine. 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.
Pat
Calls everyday. Block the number and they do another. It’s like a vitamin-one a day. 203-4979;8887;5115;4477;3337. Hint to people if you are like me and the phone is someone else’s name(my husband), how do they know who they are talking to. I picked up today and asked why they were using a cell phone number and not a 800 number. She states if you don’t believe me you can just hang up.
CarmeLita M.
I have been receiving calls almost every day about being arrested for as fraud. 314-285-9724 along with other numbers this one is the recent number
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, CarmeLita. 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.