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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Louise S.
How did I know if Social Security messages in my e-mail are really from them.
A.C.
Hi, Louise. In a few instances, we will use marketing firms to help raise awareness of Social Security’s online services, and this includes creating a my Social Security account. We allow these firms to send E-mails that will take individuals directly to our website. Any links that you find within these E-mails should always point to a “.gov” web address. If you are not certain that an E-mail you received came from Social Security or one of our marketing partners, DO NOT click the links. Instead go directly to the Social Security website, www.socialsecurity.gov, and click on the my Social Security icon. Visit our site to learn more about how to detect a fraudulent E-mail message, here. We hope this helps.
Betty M.
I wish someone would do something to stop all of these scammers. They make it very hard to enjoy the Internet these days, everywhere you go they are there! I’m not going to get anything else online anymore until they do!
Terry F.
Is this a real SSA phone number 737.214.1821 out of San Marcos, TX ? They say “Your Social Security number for a criminal activities so when you get the message kindly call back at your earliest possible on our number 737-214-1821 I repeat 737-214-1821 before we begin with the legal proceedings thank you and have a nice day…”
L.A.
Hi Terry. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind we do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that 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.
Deborah F.
I keep getting messages saying my SS# has been linked to drug trafficing overseas and my number has been suspended and if I don’t call them back at a . given number they are coming to arrest me.
I ignore these calls, should I be concerned?
L.A.
Hi Deborah. Thank you for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that 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.
Brenda J.
someone pretending to be from Social Security office keeps calling me saying we need to talk that someone is using my Social Security number. I have just been hanging up on them. Is there anything else I should do?
L.A.
Hi Brenda. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind we do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that 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.
Barbara G.
I received a call on Wednesday stating that my social security number could have been at risk and caller said they would suspend my number. I never called back but kept message for future reference. I do believe this was a scam. A very different like foreign number. Please tell me I was right in not calling back.
L.A.
Hi Barbara. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Even though we may, at times, call beneficiaries, we do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that 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 new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Judith H.
Received a phone call telling me that I was in danger of being arrested, having my social security withheld and my bank account impounded. I did not reply. They did not ask name or anything else. Hope this was a scam.
L.A.
Hi Judith. 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.
Robin J.
How do I find out who I worked for over the years? There seems to be a six year gap that no social security was taken out and I don’t remember where I was working during that time. Please help me in this matter, Thank You.
L.A.
Hi Robin. For information about how to request a detailed earnings record, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Shirley S.
Received several scam social security msgs on my home phone (land-line). They msgs went to my answering machine & address ‘suspicious’ activity against my SS number which will be suspended within 24 hrs and/or I will be arrested. I’ve saved these msgs & am now reporting the call back numbers to your dept.
972-845-5378 and 516-303-8227. The calls have occurred since Mar., 2019. Obvious to me that they are scams but hope you can do something about them.
Thank you.
Shirley Sayles
ssaylesrph@sbcglobal.net
A.C.
Thanks, Shirley. 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. Thanks again for helping us fight fraud.
James E.
I’m getting phone calls on my cell phone from “hidden numbers” claiming to be from Social Security. I know it’s a scam when the call comes in so I don’t answer. I listen to the voice mail and then erase it. Because it’s a “hidden” number I can’t block it. I’d like to be able to send the information to your Fraud Unit. Any suggestions?
A.C.
Hi, James. 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.