Scams Come In Many Different Forms
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 16, 2021
Social Security is at the forefront of keeping your online data secure, but you play a vital role in safeguarding your personal information too.
Scammers commonly target people who are looking for Social Security program and benefit information. You might receive an advertisement in the mail, but it could be from a private company or even a scammer. U.S. law prohibits people and businesses from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising can’t lead people to believe that they represent, are somehow affiliated with, or endorsed or approved by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare).
If you receive misleading information about Social Security, send the complete advertisement, including the envelope it came in, to:
Office of the Inspector General Fraud Hotline
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235
Scams can also happen online. A growing tactic for scammers is to use online dating sites. According to the United States Postal Inspection Service’s recent messaging, before starting an internet-based relationship, we should always keep our personal details to ourselves until you meet face-to-face. Next, do an internet search of the other person’s name and the town they claim to be living in.
Here are indications that someone may not be who they say they are:
- A mismatch between their name and the name embedded in their email address.
- There are obvious spelling and grammar errors.
- They asked if you would send or receive money/packages on someone else’s behalf.
- They need money right away due to a medical emergency, or they need a visa or air tickets. Or, a business opportunity arose that was too good to turn down. Can you wire a loan?
If anyone asks for your Social Security number, never give it to them. And if they are specifically pretending to be from Social Security, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online.
Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission. You work hard and make a conscious effort to save and plan for retirement. For more information, please visit the Office of the Inspector General’s website.
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About the Author
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Sondra M.
I have been recieving phone calls saying my social securty number has been used for fraudulent activity it sounds like a computer and when i call the number it is a computer sounding message they say they are going to have me arrested but nothing happens. I have put a block on the numbers that I get. Thank you
L.A.
Hi Sondra. 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.
Robert S.
I’m constantly being called by SSI that I have a fraudulent account
L.A.
Hi Robert. 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.
Jacqueline K.
Received phone calls from someone claiming to be from Social Security. They said my SS has been stop/closed d/t illegal activity and if I did not “press 1” I would be arrested. The numbers were not familiar and I blocked them. I talked with my son who is with the Sheriffs Department in Tillamook County, he said it is a scam.
L.A.
Hi Jacqueline. 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.
T. D.
I just received a call from 418-400-4661 informing me that my social security number has been fraudulently used in Texas. The caller then requested I press “1” to continue.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know. 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.
sam h.
got a call from 1-936-226-0218, said my ssn was involved in illegal activity.
A.C.
Hi, Sam. 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.
Kenneth L.
Same issue three call voice mails. number is 515- 337-0448. is it legit?
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Kenneth. 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.
Ilya
Same here, getting calls from 1-800-211-4485 – “This call is from Social Security administration to inform you that your Social Security number is going to be suspended for committing fraudulent activity under your SSN ____________ can be arrested as well so to find out more information kindly press one…”
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Ilya. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Carol C.
My employer just received a spam call on her cell phone saying it was Social Security calling to let her know her account had been suspended due “irregular activity” on her social security account. The call identifier says it came from +1-844-571-4844. We are in Tampa, Florida.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Carol. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Joan
Just received a robo call this morning (from 888-469-3613) saying something to the effect that my SS number had been compromised and my benefits are being frozen. I hope there’s a special place in hell for those who seek to defraud and swindle people.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Joan. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Zoey
Same same i get robo calls saying “SSA call us back at 210–489-1661 (San Antonio Tx ) the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there’s a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so before this matter goes to the state court house and before you get arrested if you need any information or have a question kindly call us back” i dont even live in Texas so i know its a garbage scam.