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

Comments

  1. Mark W.

    I just received a call from 800-407-2261 saying my account has been closed.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mark. 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 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.

  2. Joni L.

    I received a call from TX stating that my social security number was being suspended and that there is a warrant out for my arrest. I live in Indiana. Please let me know that all is copasetic with my social security account. thank you

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Joni. 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 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.

  3. Russell K.

    Recently my son went into my security account and he was locked because of security. I suggested that he contact the local security office and get his account fixed. He took with his social security card and drivers license and went to a field office and the handed a letter back with the wrong name but the address was correct, except the zip code was off. I thought something was wrong so I went to the field office and ask to see the line supervisor. I show the letter and was told they would handle this and would get a follow up letter. We got two letters one with the correct name and address, and the second letter had the wrong name and our address but the zip code was a little off. The name in the second letter was the same name of the first letter my son brought homs. I work as federal employee with Ssa for over ten years.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Russell. For your son’s security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. He can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, he will have a shorter wait if he calls later in the day. He can also contact his local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. PETER W.

    Received 3 calls today claiming that my SS# was going to be block for fraudulent use. Two call from Chicago 18722270111 and one from New Jersey 12012692030.

  5. Margaret N.

    I have been getting these calls from someone who claims they work for the social security administration’s office telling me that someone used my social security no. How do I report this and see if I’m safe?

    • Luis A.

      Hello Margaret. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that 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 new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.

  6. Mary M.

    October 2, 2019
    I received a robocall today purportedly from the SSA notifying me that my Social Security account had been suspended and that I was subject to being arrested.
    The telephone number was 800-955-4619.
    I know good and well that neither the SSA nor any other government agency makes robocalls to random people. Any business, notifications, etc., are done by mail and by mail only.
    That someone could be frightened by such tactics and could be scammed out of what is rightfully theirs is appalling. These people need to be stopped.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mary. 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. Report suspicious calls to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 and 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.

  7. KC S.

    Hi there, I’ll agree with you all. Scammers or all about steeling or hard earned money. I’ve been getting phone call’s about Fraudulent activity @ will be stopping my SS. I know it’s scam. I’ve been to my local office @ reported all the callers phone #. I’ve been told that SS @ IRS{ DO NOT } make phone calls. They send you letters @ that is fact. Keep your ears @ eyes open @ don’t let them get you. Thanks for your time KC

  8. lesly f.

    I am so tired with scammers !!!!!

  9. lesly f.

    I am so tired with scammers all of over this usa promesses i am going to get big money trough social security benefits.

  10. Don L.

    I recieved a call from 407-605-3659 claiming to be fromthe social security crime investigation unit. he told me that he needed me to send him $200.00 to clear up the mattter. i asked him how long he was planning to continue this scam and he replied ” for about another year”. then he told me that it was for charity. i told him to send me a letter. and he startedto tell me that he would have someone call me. i said “no, send me a letter’. he hung up.

    • tony

      I would prank call them back several times and say nothing. I don’t hide my phone number. They see my number and never call me back. If they call me back I just keep prank calling them over and over. This waste their time and ties up their phone line. I am retire and have nothing better to do. It is the same robo calls over and over and dealing with them ends it sometimes. The robo calls just keep calling you if you hang up. Then they change the robo call number, so your caller id blocking doesn’t work on the new number. Eventually a real person will come on the line when you answer and you can curse them out.

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Don. 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.

Comments are closed.