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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Lillie D.
Just received a recorded call stating they were from the Social Security Administration and my social security was being suspended. The number called from is 216-930-7283. I’m reporting this as I feel it’s a scam.
Vonda V.
Hi Lillie, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/ig-warns-public-about-fraudulent-phone-calls-threatening-arrest-or-legal-action/
https://blog.ssa.gov/beware-of-scammers-pretending-to-be-social-security/
If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online.
Lee A.
Today I received 2 social security telephone scam calls which said my social security has been suspended due to suspicious activity. I did no answer the call but do have it on my phone message recording.
Phyllis L.
I received a phone call from the following #:
(240)232-5625
Glenn Dale, MD
The subject of the voice mail was that illegal activity had occurred with my social security number and in order to avoid prosecution and going to prison I had to contact …
I did not listen to the remainder of the message – I have deleted it from my phone voicemail.
Kenny O.
Hi Phyllis, thank you for checking in with us. The voice message you describe is not from Social Security. Regrettably, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. We hope this helps. Thanks
Marilyn R.
My social security number was obtained by evil people, probably from one of the recent large hacking events. An account with my name & SS# was entered in my name, but not by me. Now I cannot correct the info, and my IRS end of year statement has not been received by me. HELP! I called once, but the man did not know how to help me.
Johnathen T.
Got a call from this number 5593404510 claiming they are going to suspend my social because of suspicious activity
Ann C.
Hello, Johnathen. Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.
Russell M.
I received a bill from trhe centers for medicare and Medicaid services, PO Box 790355, swt. Louis MO 63179-0355. I want to know is this a valid bill and can I send my payment to them? And it was received well after the due date of 12-25-2018 and was received today in the mail. the person on the phone said there will be no penalty is this true because these notices went out late.
Julia S.
I’ve received a phone call stating they were social security and I was compromised. This is the number they left. 508.869.4270
Sherry L.
December 11.2018
I had a man call me today with and accent, saying my social security has been compromised , and was being shut down right away. He then asked for my full social security number . I said I would not give it, only the last four numbers,,,he hung up right away. This is the number he called from: 916-913-9527
Ray F.
Unfortunately, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Thanks!
Shirley A.
I have received multiple robo calls today from 915-613-4954 stating the my social security number has been suspended and telling me to call this number back. I know SSA does not suspend individuals numbers nor does it do robo calls. I can see where this could truly frighten some unsuspecting seniors.
Vonda V.
Hi Shirley, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
https://blog.ssa.gov/ig-warns-public-about-fraudulent-phone-calls-threatening-arrest-or-legal-action/
If you have 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
William C.
I have received two calls today from this number (214)717-6280 claiming there the social security Administration an I am to call them about an injunction being charged to my social security number what is this about because I have know paper work telling anything about some injunction against my social security number.