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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Diana
Just got call from 315-741-5342 they left message and the message said “Legal activity the issues is time sensitive and urgent we hope to hear back from you before we proceed further with suspension for your Social Security number the moment you receive this message we need you to get back to us on 315-741-5342” Is a scam?
A.C.
Hi, Diana. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Dennis H.
I have received two phone calls tell me that my social security number has been used in a fraudulent charges. Phone number 361-207-5829.
A.C.
Hi, Dennis. 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.
Shari G.
Thank you. My friend from Russian was scammed out of five-hundred on a gift card and unfortunately did not reach out to me until after the loss. This may be an easy audience as foreigners are more likely to fall prey to this. I will keep him posted and hopefully he can warn the community via the church and Orr social gatherings.
L.A.
Hi Shari. 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.
Margaret C.
I got a call which I did not answer….they left a voice mail saying they were the social security administration…and to call them at 361-203-0094. My phone said the number was in Flatonia,Texas. I googled SSA and I don’t see that number or town on your web site.
L.A.
Hi Margaret. 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.
Jim S.
Received a call from Wading River,Ny…#631-359-4332.Said they were from Ssa(voicemail).Said it was important we call back.Didn’t.
A.C.
Hi, Jim. 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.
Linda A.
I have received 3 phone calls this morning starting at 6 am. saying this is the social security administration fed. crime and investigative unit. phone # 800-269-0271
A.C.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Lily S.
I take government requests very seriously; therefore, when I read that we are supposed to report any fraudulent or suspicious calls, I make sure I do that. The problem is that Social Security Administration and/or Office of Inspector General makes it almost impossible to comply. Yesterday I spent about one hour trying to submit a fraudulent phone call but because I do not fill all the blanks (information that I don’t have, I don’t know, and is irrelevant to my case, such as the social security number of the impostor???) their system doesn’t take it. So I waited until today, at 10:00 am to call number provided (800) 269-0271, I get all these prompts, but I don’t get anywhere and cannot talk to anyone. Then I try another number provided along the way: (800) 772-1213, same story and recording suggests that I should call (800) 269-0271, which I already tried to no avail. I am referred by another recording to go to website (which I tried last night) and again, same thing. All I wanted is to report that I received a phone call from an unknown number: (513) 898-0615 from Cincinnati, OH, on 10/31, which of course I didn’t pick up, they left this voicemail: “this is the federal crime and investigation department, we need to talk to you as soon as possible; again, this call is from Social Security Administration, number to reach department is 513-898-0615, I repeat 513-898-0615 thank you” of course I blocked the number immediately but saved message until I reported call but now I am deleting it. My question is: how many people, especially older citizens, fall for these scams and end up losing all they have and, what is the government doing about it, to protect them/us? I certainly hope the right person takes note!
L.A.
Hi Lily. We are sorry you had difficulty trying to submit a report. We have created a new reporting form specifically for fraudulent calls. 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 Y.
I received a telephone call from a person claiming to be Rajive Mathur from the SSA. He called me too inform me that my Social Security has been suspended due to suspected criminal activity. He gave me his is number as GS74510 and my case number:UK8401.
I am suspicious that the chief information officer will call me personally on this matter and I would like to report this as a scam.
L.A.
Hi John. 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.
Laura W.
I keep getting a recording on my phone stating that my
Social Security has strange activities against my social security number and it was being deleted.
Phone number 1-800-158-3551
It’s making me and nervous wreck. I don’t answer my phone but they call two or three times daily.
I just needed to hear or read that these are just scams.
Or, are they?
Thanks
L.A.
Hi Laura. 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.
Brad T.
Scam from phone # 972 -430-5543 illegal autodailer stating your social account is flagged for criminal activity please call to get info. They answered the call the Department of Social Security Administration. Called and told them they were a scam and they hung up