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.

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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Dear O.

    I’ve had two phone calls in two days purporting to be from Social Security. Paraphrasing: “Hello this call is from the Social Security Legal Department. Your Social Security number has been suspended. We have observed suspicious activity . . . ”
    The calls apparently originated from these numbers:
    512-091-2705
    866-696-5706

    • Luis A.

      Hi. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind 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 site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.

  2. PB

    Just one day after visiting the https://www.ssa.gov site (first time in over a year), I was called via 800 542-2657 where a robo message stated that my SS# had been suspended.. I therefore conclude that the Government web site is where the information is being skimmed to obtain relationship between interested folks and their phone numbers. Better check your security SSA..

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for letting us know. 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. San

    Got a fraud call today from 316-453-1410 and was a recorded message that they were calling from Social security and about a problem with my social security. I called the number back and Indian man answered the phone saying that I have reached Social Security office and he can help me about the fraud with my social security. This number should be investigated and the people arrested

    • Ann C.

      Hi, San. Thanks for letting us know. 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.

  4. Lupe

    Hello, I received a call yesterday from 1-410-754-1520 stating that the ssa is suing me regarding fraudulent use of my ss# and that there is a arrest warrant out for me and to speak to a agent to press # 1 ,luckily it was a voicemail that the lady had left so I never spoke with anyone…

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Lupe. Thanks for letting us know. 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.

  5. Steve P.

    Hi my name steve persaud and I am on social security disability began 11/2003 and workers compensation benefits began 8/17/2000.
    (1) I received from Social Security Disability Award Letter Dated July 2,2007.
    (2) Social Security letter dated 9/18/2007 and the letter stated that I would receive a check after repaid SSI $5,310.00 amount of $36,6008.00 I did receive a check in my account.
    (3) on 2/13/2016 I received a Overpaid notice stated that we plan to reduce my monthly benefits to $564.00 monthly because I received workers compensation payments from 11/2003 to 9/13/2011 at rate $400.00 per week and the total amount of $108,400.00 in payments.
    (5) overpaid letter dated March 23,2016 letter stated that we paid you $58,4006.00 for November 2003 through February 2016 we should paid you $40,539.00 we paid you $17,867.00 more then you due.
    I requested copies of checks from NYSIF and SSA for years 2011-12-12-13-14-15–2016.
    (6) I filed a complaint with office of fraud inspector general (OIG). I received response letter dated July 13,2016 from Social Security Rego Park Office District Manganer Mr Samuel Rivera in his letter he stated that we will mail you a detailed of the $17,867.00 explanation of your overpayment. Until then you will continue to receive your full benefit.
    (8) on 11/27/2017 Social Security Manager Ms Clark how provided me with copies of my SSA-1099 benefit statement for year 2007, showing a total benefit paid $45,623.00 for year 11/2003 to 2007, and WC offset is $3,970.00 after is $41,653.00.
    For 2008 the total benefit is $16,366.00 and WC offset $3,970.00.
    For 2009 the total benefit paid $14,388 and WC offset is $1,270.
    For 210 the total benefit paid is $13,239 and WC offset is $123.00.
    For 2011 the total benefit paid $14,367 and WC offset is 1,254.00.
    And Ms Clark said I don’t owe any money to social security administration.
    I received a letter dated 11/20/2018 from SSA and the letter stated that we are writing to you about a change in your payment amount shows we will withholding overpaid Social Security Benefits paid to you from 12/2018 through March 2020. Since then I have no money to live on and medication for back pain and blood pressure pills and diabetes pills.
    Please tell SSA to stop committing fraud. And please stop injustice and please stop discrimination against people with disability.
    Please reply to my email thank you

    • Luis A.

      Hi Steve. Thank you for your inquiry, and we are sorry to hear about your difficulties. For your security, we do not have access to personal information in this forum. Please call our toll free number, at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and ask to speak with a representative about to discuss this matter. Or, you may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  6. Pat E.

    I have received these calls and calls from the irs last week was so social security! Get a phone locker I am so tired of robo calls even with a Do Not Call number between them and time share I am so tired of these people not honoring a Do not call number!

  7. Cheryl M.

    I have received numerous phone calls in the last 2 days informing me that my SSN has been closed due to fraudulent activity and that I need to speak to the police officer in charge. 1 call was received on my Onstar (which no one has this number) and a couple from from Texas 469-859-2824, 469-955-0186 and 469-964-1818. I have blocked all of them since I assume they are scams.

    • Luis A.

      Hi Cheryl. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind 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 site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.

  8. Tracy

    Have gotten numerous calls today from Islip, NY
    6314812390. I also got one earlier from California, but deleted it already. They all leave a voicemail stating to call the Social Security at the number they called from. I assume the are a scam. I’ve gotten about 8 today.

    • Luis A.

      Hi Tracy. Thank you for checking in with us. What we can tell you is that we do not usually make random calls. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your 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.

  9. Smith M.

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  10. ELLEN L.

    I was contacted regarding use of my SS number fraudulently and he leftt thisnumber to call 747 282 1142
    Is this a valid ss number?

    ly

    • Luis A.

      Hi, Ellen. Thank you for checking in with us. We’re sorry, but we do not have a list of all of the possible phone numbers that Social Security uses. What we can tell you is that we do not usually make random calls. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your 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.

Comments are closed.