Frauds & Scams

Protecting What’s Important to You

September 30, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: June 30, 2021

Unfortunately, scams are a part of our current reality. Scammers are always thinking of different ways to trick their targets, coming up with various ways to try to steal your information, identity, and benefits. They depend on you not knowing about their methods.

We always say that preparation begins with information. Being informed about the latest scams and knowing the signs can go a long way toward staying a step ahead of them. Check out our infographic to learn how you can help us protect your information.

Also, stay up to date by reading our blog series on scams:

  1. Inspector General Warns Public About Social Security Advisory Board-Related Scam
  2. Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
  3. How You Can Help Social Security Protect Your Information

Every day, people get tricked into sending money or giving out personal information. Don’t be one of them! Together, you and Social Security can thwart the scammers’ efforts.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
See Comments

About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Related Articles

Don’t “Fall Back” Into Scams This Season

Guard Your Card: Protect What’s Important to You

How You Can Help Social Security Protect Others

Top 5 Scam Resources You Need To Know

Comments

  1. Larry P.

    I have received numerous phone calls saying that Social Security was going to sue me. I always hang up, but it seams to me that YOU have their phone numbers and it should be incumbent on you to go after them.

  2. JESUS C.

    I understand the importance of bringing down scamming operations but why are we not stopping Government agencies from getting into our trust fund which is a mandatory tax .What can we do to stop this problem.? Isn’t Government scamming us$

  3. Keith v.

    I didn’t get to raise money from sis since because. I am 70 year old so been got retired and ss disability for 14 year my sis number

  4. Karen M.

    I got scammed on both my disability SSDI and SSA retirement checks, losing thousands of dollars over 7 years (identity theft, bank cards stolen, $ wired by fraud from bank accounts in White Plains NY. I know who did it, I got orders of protection, but it didn’t stop him from stealing from me over & over bc he was a computer hacker. I reported it to the Banks security, the WP police, DA’s office, but never got any $$ restitution as a victim. No one helped me recover the stolen monies. The man went to jail 5 times, but my money that he deposited into his 401k at People’s Bank was never refunded me. I need help getting $55k back ASAP! 9/30/19

    • A.C.

      Hi, Karen. We are sorry to hear about your situation. Social Security takes reports of fraud very seriously. For more information about what to submit and how to file a fraud report, visit here. We hope this helps.

  5. Maureen

    I agree esp after re 15 years of ID theft but because of that I am unable to get into my SS acct & extremely handicapped in getting info

    • Alejandro E.

      Hello, I’ve been receiving a call from 1 866 6572340. Is it a scam? Thank you.

  6. Barbara A.

    This is great information. If I had realized my own family would do these things. I thought I raised them better.
    What in the world makes a grown child think they are entitled to my future? Or the funds their Father put away for my survival after his death. It cost me dearly I no longer have money to give them so I am of no use to them. I miss my Grandchildren.
    Thanks for you time

    • DianaCarole H.

      WOW so ?

  7. Linda N.

    I had my identity stolen June 23, 2019 of this year.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Linda. We are sorry to hear you’re having this problem. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.

  8. Kim L.

    It’s good to know our pension with social security is protected.

  9. Cheryl K.

    Got a call today (automated) 1-800-698-2714

    Said our SS# had been suspended and an arrest warrant issued –

    • Ruchi

      Hi
      i got the same call from number 800-763-5328
      is it a scam?

      • FRED B.

        YES !!!!!!!!

      • A.C.

        Thanks for checking in with us, Ruchi. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

        • geri

          Just received a call 469-409-5393 stating SS benefits were being suspended due to suspicious activity—I believe it is a scam

          • Jennifer

            I received 2 calls saying my benefits were suspended due to suspicious activity. The numbers are 1 800 543-4455 and 1 800 539-8823

        • Anna M.

          Reporting these calls is near impossible..they go have you going in circles between telephone and website…should be alot easier..

        • Tina

          This has been happening to me for months. I never responded sure that it was a scam. However, I attempted to write a check 2 days ago and I was declined. It has something to do with my social security number. What do I do now?

          • Karen L.

            I received 4 automated robo calls saying “your social has been connected with suspicious criminal activity. Contact us at 813-320-2193 before we take this to the court house”

            3 days later I got a message fro.m 800-719-0549 “taxes. Press 1 to speak to our agent now”

        • Rosa B.

          I received a call stating that they were using my social security number in the border and that it was illegal so I had to call and tell them my information. So when I did they wanted to know my information. I told them ” You should know it you called me. He insisted but as soon as I said I was calling the Social Security Office they hung up. 18004250180. That was the number.

        • Joan

          I receive 2 calls within 2 hrs this morning saying my ss number has criminal activity on it. The phone number showed 207-579-9544.

      • Jill

        I received 2 calls with the same message of warrant, etc. The # was 210-807-3326 on both calls.

        • Richard S.

          Rec’d call from a woman, claiming to be from SSA, that my SSI will be terminated and I will be arrested for fraud, this was on my voicemail on August 26th, 2019 the # 360-474-4471
          SSA mails letters to you, then the police called, I told him to remove me from your list, then hung up

      • Elizabeth

        I had the exact same call, sounded like from India. Number was: 209-019-5865. “SSN suspended and a warrant out for your arrest.” This person knew my cell phone number, name, and likely my address! I froze all three credit bureaus immediately after that call.

    • FRED B.

      SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM !!!!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cheryl. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

      • Ana v.

        He querido reportar pero solo me dan vueltas entre números y en ninguno me dan la opción de hacerlo me han estado llamando por meses a mi a mi esposo y varios conocidos l ultima llamada fue hoy y me dejaron mensaje hable para tras y les dice q no volvieran a llamar q el seguro no llamaba el número fue 15187043321

      • Ana v.

        He querido reportar pero solo me dan vueltas entre números y en ninguno me dan la opción de hacerlo me han estado llamando por meses a mi a mi esposo y varios conocidos l ultima llamada fue hoy y me dejaron mensaje hable para tras y les dice q no volvieran a llamar q el seguro no llamaba el número fue 15187043321

    • Michael S.

      I got the same call???

    • Rashelle R.

      Same my number was 18001950818

      • Edward L.

        Just received a call from (360) 302-2659 at 0730 hours this morning in Hawaii claiming to be the SSA office in Port Townsend, WA on November 15 2019 stating SS benefits were being suspended due to suspicious activity—and asking for my personal information. Did not answer the call, just listened to their message. Is this a scam? Please advise!

  10. Gale H.

    I got a call about a cancer dna screening . I talked to a woman about it because my twin sister had breast cancer. What should I do?
    The # was 0114704440350

    • Mary R.

      Nothing. It’s a scam. The clue is the 011. This call came from overseas.

Comments are closed.