Protecting What’s Important to You
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast 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:
- Inspector General Warns Public About Social Security Advisory Board-Related Scam
- Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
- 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.
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About the Author
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Dorothy
I just received a call from someone saying they were from social security and that my social security number had been suspended…I called the number back and they asked me to enter a pin number.
L.A.
Hi Dorothy. 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.
John G.
Had a message on my cell from 855-551-0720 similar to Dave’s message above. The web site NoMoRobo already has the text online and ID’s as a scan.
L.A.
Hi John. 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.
Ron
Two scam numbers today (robocall, broken English, ‘talk to an agent immediately or your benefits will be cancelled’ version):
800-429-0231
800-190-0163
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Ron. 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.
Chloe T.
Received 3 calls today from an Officer Amanda Barnes with SSA. Saying my Ss# was being used on the southern border. To press 1 to speak to an agent
800-682-2142 & 800-579-3883
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Chloe. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. We hope this helps.
Kee H.
Spam call from fraud ssa office by the number 430-202-4421, saying that my ssi will be hold. I am reporting
L.A.
Hi Kee. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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 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.
DC M.
I keep getting calls yesterday 10-29-19 5x times till I blocked the call, Claiming from Federal Crime Investigations about my Social Security Number. Now today 10-30-19 same message different phone number… phone 10-29-19 was New York 347-379-1626 .. Number from call 10-30-19 from New York 347-293-0799 .. I just keep hanging up on the calls .
L.A.
Hi DC. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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 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.
gustavo l.
Received a phone call from 207-591-9147. Automated voice message said my social security number was suspended and to call the above number
L.A.
Hi Gustavo. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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 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.
Dave
Received robo-call today from 855-913-0742 implying I had done something wrong and may be investigated or arrested. The message urged me to call the same number to speak to a federal agent. I hung up, blocked the number, and then submitted a report of the incident to the SSA IG whose online address is available by a link elsewhere in the blog posts.
Lizabeth W.
I have been getting calls saying my social security number has been used in south Texas. I live in Tennessee. I hung up on them.
Candy M.
I just got same call at my work number. I hung up as well. I’m in California.
L.A.
Hi Lizabeth. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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 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.
Janet
Receiving scam SS calls almost daily, and now multiple times so fast today 10/18/2019. I even stayed on the line the first call yelling at them. The guy said in broken English, this is not a scam. I hung up. Blocked the number, same one called within the hour of last one 1800 855 594 3642. Last week same thing, I yelled at the woman she had an English sounding voice. That number 1979 884 4272. I don’t want to fill out a form online giving my info. I don’t feel I can trust anything. Wish we were able to speak directly to a person, not a recording. What else can we do to stop them? How do we find out if we in fact are having issues with SS if we can’t speak to someone directly??! Thanks
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Janet. We are informing the public about these calls through TV and radio commercials, our website, our toll free number, as well as our Social Media sites. You can report suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can also contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.