Scam Awareness
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: August 19, 2021
Social 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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Harvey A.
I received a robo call from 618 663 3896 claiming to be social security and telling me there was fraud on my account number. Because the call was made to a business and did not say whose number it was for, I believed it was fraudulent. The robo said I was to call back to avoid enforcement. I believe this was a phishing call that wanted to find out my information so I did not provide any. When I called, the lady answered “Social Security” but declined to say what number I had called and hung up when I began asking questions. The location I reached sounded like a phone bank in India.
L.A.
Hi Harvey. 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.
LaToya
A call through from the number 713-398-7252 saying a warrant has been issued for fraudulent activity.
and then it says press 1 and the phone hung up with no one on the other end.
A.C.
Hi, LaToya. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Donna M.
Hello I received a call regarding my social security, number being used fraudulently, they gave me some badge # 2609, # DC 7010, I kept asking why i never received something from social security in the mail, they said i would be arrested, but i didn’t buy it i hung up and called you here is the # they called from 1-844-263-8338. Thanks for your assistance.
A.C.
Hi, Donna. 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.
Marsha M.
On Monday, October 7, my husband and I received a call on our cell phones from (844)576-9280. Neither of us answered, but there was a recorded message left stating they had found suspicious activity and our Social Security cards were being suspended. The scammers are working overtime and I am concerned for our elderly population. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Marsha. Thanks for your concern. 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. 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.
Joe H.
Received a call from 800-545-4496 recently saying that my benefits would be stopped if I didn’t press an extension that they provided. I didn’t but am giving you the number above for your information.
L.A.
Hi Joe. 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.
Carol J.
I keep receiving calls from 1 (530) 999-2931 stating that I have conducted illegal activity and my social security number is being frozen .or that different agency will be contacting me. What can I do about this?
A.C.
Hi, Carol. 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.
L S.
I gave information out to a person who claim to be FBI I I need put a protection on my SS#
L.A.
Hi L. Thank you for your concern. Social Security takes reports of fraud very seriously. You can find information about how to report fraud to the Office of the Inspector General here. You may also contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is the Federal agency that is in charge of dealing with identity theft. You may contact them online or call them at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.
Marika C.
I received a phone call stating that my ss will be deactiveted due to fraud. They left a phone number to call immediately which is 773-378-9101
A.C.
Hi, Marika. Thanks for letting us know. 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.
Jim M.
Yes ,
I know they are calling all the time .
Thank you for your concerns.
When I do answer just having fun with them ,most of the time can’t understand them any way .??
Julie R.
Could a ss representative change your earnings to 0.00?