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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Richard S.
Received a call stating my Social Security number was compromised. 916-546-3571
Responded, the call was answered by someone with an Indian accent.
Gave a phony name and they hung up.
Ray F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Richard. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks, again!
John W.
Scammer requested me to call the following number
972 865 9415 or have assets taken.
Ray F.
Hello John. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
yasmin s.
I just received a call stating legal dept of social security administration federal badge id ssa9165 purpouse of this call is enforcement action which has been executed by US treasury against your name ignoring this would be attention attempt to avoid initial appearance before magistrate judge federal criminal offense . before this go any further to get arrested call 202 860 2968 as soon as possible.
if this is a scam please inform the public
Thanks
Willora G.
I received a call from 1-972 546 8913 (JACOB WOLF) stating that my Social Security will be blocked if I did not call this number back. She stated that I had been red flagged by the Federal Authorities and for me to call this number before I could receive my next payment.
Ray F.
Hello Willora. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
If you feel the call and the telephone number are not legit, you should report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Check out our previous blog: https://blog.ssa.gov/is-that-phone-call-from-us/ & https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-ssa-impersonation-schemes/
Thanks!
Nancy C.
Got a call from “Take Charge” 1-866-701-1700 regarding money for some work program. They say the are from Social Security Administration. Is this really you or a scam?
Ray F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Nancy. Social Security employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy.
KENNETH D.
IJUST SAW AN INTERNET PROGRAM TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS(bOOKS) THAT WE CAN GET (AT A COST) SO YOU CAN APPLY FOR THESE BENAFITS
AND GET EXTRA MONEY DUE? SOUNDS LIKE SOME SCAM!
Ray F.
Hi Kenneth! Social Security delivers a broad range of services online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov and through a nationwide network of over 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card-centers, telephone service centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and our State and territorial partners, the Disability Determination Services.
We also have a presence in U.S. embassies around the globe. The rich diversity of our employees mirrors the public we serve, and we have a proud history of serving the public and protecting the integrity of our programs.
You can follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/socialsecurity
Check our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SocialSecurityOnline
Get updates from our blog: https://blog.socialsecurity.gov/
Nancy R.
I’m sure I have been scammed and I was a complete FOOL to not see it. I got an email from ITunes thanking me for my order of gift cards $75. It said to “click here” to cancel the order. So I did and gave them my SS and my credit card number to cancel. I will cancel my credit card immediately but I don’t know what they can do with the social security number. Can you tell me what I should do about this? I am scared.
Ray F.
Hello Nancy, please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!
Patti R.
Received call from Rajive Mathur (214)613-7125 this am saying it was from Social Security Admin. They advised me in a message left on my machine that there was a warrant out for my arrest. I called back, someone answered & naturally they wanted my SS#. No luck, told the guy to get a real job & he hung up. Another scam to add to your list
Frank F.
Avoid by all means in maintaining contact with someone called Philippe Ballesio, is a swindler of international stature and its main objectives are the retired people.
Gena C.
My name is Gena C. Miller, and t I have been tricked to sign up for another insurance by a man named Tommy Holderfield fromConnerstone Insurance Co. in Bowling Green, KY. Cell #270-792-7785. I have a chemical imbalance which I have been drawing SSA Disability from Social Security since 1997. I had Medicare Part A and Part B Insurance which I did not have to pay any Co-pays when I went to the doctor or ER. Now, the insurance he signed me up for stated I had to pay Co-Pays for my medical visits. I recently called Medicare and the Social Security Office and my SSA check has been cut to $574.00 and then $708.00 after that. I had been receiving $842.00 every month. When my check is cut, I will not have enough money to pay my bills which is very disturbing to me. What am I supposed to do? I have gone to the Social Security Office and told them about this, and they said to go to the Food Stamps office and see about QMB that the state would no longer pay for Medicare Part B (medical insurance premiums after FEb, 2018. That I would have to pay the premiums starting March 2018. How am I to pay for these premiums? I have no more income. I am writing to see if my Social Security Disability Benefits of $ 842.00 per month can be restored and everything changed back like it was before all this happened.
Sincerely, Gena Captola Miller
Gena C.
The Social Security Administration. They sent me a letter to this affect.
Ray F.
Hello Gina! To get more information on how to get help paying for Medicare services-costs and the Medicare Savings Program visit http://www.Medicare.gov.