Frauds & Scams

Scam Awareness

August 21, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

A couple sitting on a couch while using a laptopSocial Security is committed to protecting the information and resources entrusted to us, including your personal information and investment. However, scam artists might try to trick you into sharing your personal information or money. We’re here to help you identify and report these kinds of schemes.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has a new web page with tips on how to protect yourself from theft schemes, how to report scams, and recent fraud advisories. This is in response to an ongoing phone scheme, where individuals receive a call with a recorded message claiming to be from the OIG.

The message states the individual’s Social Security account, Social Security number, frand/or benefits are suspended, and that they should call a non-Social Security phone number to resolve the issue. When the individual calls this number, an unknown person pressures them into providing money or gift cards to resolve a fabricated issue, such as a warrant for the individuals’ arrest. Social Security does not solicit your personal information over the phone or by email, or request advance fees for services in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. If anyone pressures you to provide personal information or money over the phone, just hang up.

If you suspect fraud, report it to the OIG on their website or by calling the Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

For more than 80 years, Social Security has secured today and tomorrow by protecting what’s important to you. You can learn more about the tools we use to identify, prevent, and fight fraud here.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Claire H.

    Medicare has to stop using SS numbers as Medicare ID numbers. SS numbers aren’t supposed to be used as ID!

    • AKA

      Right on Claire!! The ultimate protection of our identities is for the Social Security Administration to not use Social Security numbers.

      • Carol

        You are not required to carry your SSA card. The Medicare card does not show the complete number. Put your SSA card somewhere safe in your home.

        • mcguillacuddy

          My Medicare card also has my entire number. Why would you say otherwise?

  2. G.C.

    And Please Please Note A corporation called, Credit Acceptance, lol they are another one that should not be in business. They approve for vehicles no matter what than they try to steal the vehicle back and money! Be aware!

  3. G.C.

    Well Dixon, I’m sorry gosh that is a long time if you suspect something is not write, try having a cheap phone or recorder, that way maybe it can be investigated and transactions already made, save documents. It’s things like this why our government needs a wake up call because we are so widely open and it’s scarier than ever before. I’ll keep you guys in my prayers!As I do for myself, family and friends from the deceivers inside and outside of our government! Take care

  4. G.C.

    Ms. Judy, same thing to you I’m of age and was also contacted also about tge grant for $7000. I was in need but thank God I called my mother and questioned even though, I have experience in the world of business, sometimes we don’t think. I pray it catches up with them!

    • AKA

      Experience in the business world does not include stocking shelves for a week.

      • Kittybee

        Why don’t you find something constructive to do instead of hurling insults.

  5. Dixon-McMillian

    it to late it been going on all of bank told me 1997 – now why you tell me now Javis tax just for me

    • AKA

      You sound like a perfect target for the simplest of scams.

    • Peter M.

      I don’t understand this!

  6. G.C.

    Im sorry Ms. Margery! It doesn’t matter much sometimes old or young. If our own big time corporations can scratch each other’s backs to inch off of us who are vulnerable, in need then other’s tend to be able to create falsified credentials to do the same thing. Always ask someone you trust which is even hard in these days and that will take the time, family or friend to talk to and question it before acting! I had been taken through some things just pray for protection of finances and seek certified Congress and Commissioners to ask them what in the —– are they doing until they talk directly to you!

  7. Lesly F.

    I can’t understand in this country people can’t stop those cheft please SSA do something please We need our help.

    • Peter M.

      I realize that the origin of these scams may be out of country but misrepresentation of a government office should be a crime whomever generates it. Why doesn’t interpol or the like investigate them? We unfortunately still have a generation alive in this country that is too trusting. This is why predators are so successful. These people need help in fighting off the vultures circling for their hard earned fixed incomes. Instead of berating them for their trusting nature, let’s go to battle against those who gain financially because of a culture (mostly elderly) who learned to trust all authority.

  8. 209 2.

    I was scamied recently email me or call me at 209 2637601

  9. Judy

    I got taken too but it was with they said a gov. grant $9.700 they wanted me at first to purchase an iTunes card for $50.00 then when I called them back they asked for 2 more $50.00cards when I said I was not able to they got mad too. So it cost me$50 to learn it’s a scam. I am sorry that that happened to you.

    • AKA

      Amazing that anyone would think they could buy a government grant with an “I Tune card”. This is a condemnation of our public school system.

  10. MARGERY A.

    I HAD A HORRIBLE TIME ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO, OVER THE PHONE. SUPPOSEDLY HE WAS AN IRS AGENT, CLAIMING THAT I OWED OVER $3,000 IN TAXES. LONG STORY SHORT, I WAS OUT $1,100, I AM DISABLED AND I AM ON SSDI. HE THREATENED ME PHYSICALLY AND SAID HE HAD A WARRANT OUT FOR MY ARREST, AND THAT IF I DIDN’T COOPERATE, THEY WOULD COME TO MY DOOR AND BEAT ME UP. I WENT TO MY BANK AND CLEARED TWO ACCOUNTS WITH NOTHING LEFT. I REPORTED IT TO THE FTC AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.

    • Carl S.

      Hate to say this, but why didn’t you verify this with the IRS first? Don’t you pay attention to what is happening? The IRS constantly tells the public through many venues that they will never call you! They always write you first! And why in the world would you believe some hoo-hah over the phone? Trust but verify!

      • Dale

        Hey Carol,
        Maybe everyone isn’t as “sharp”as you…..the elderly and disadvantaged sometimes get very frightened when someone threatens them.
        So keep your sarcastic opinions to yourself until you may possibly help someone.

    • Mike P.

      Yeah Carol… what Dale said. Don’t be such a hoo-hah judgemental twat.

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