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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Jennifer G.
I received multiple calls today with voicemails which I deleted from 325-576-6028 saying to call back before they proceeded with legal proceedings.
Andrew
I received a scam phone call. I’d like to report it to the proper authorities. I called the number (1-800-269-0271) and visited the website provided in this article to report, but both only accepted reports of social security fraud, not reports of people trying to get my SSN. I already reported it to the Federal Trade Comission (FTC) Complaint Assistant, but I want to make sure I’m reporting it to the right office. Do I also report the scam to the Social Security Administration?
Thelma M.
does social security contact you by phone
L.A.
Hi Thelma. Yes, we may, at times, call beneficiaries. 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.
Cynthia D.
I received a phone message with a woman telling me to call a number starting with 804 area code. What action does SSA recommend?
L.A.
Hi Cynthia. 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.
Edward J.
I have received two calls, each from a different phone number in Dallas, Texas. The numbers are: (214) 730-1121; (214) 487-5588. Both calls were received on October 8th.
The caller stated that he was from the Department of Social Security. He said that my Social Security number had been suspended because of “suspicious activity”.
I did not respond to either call. Both calls appeared to be recordings; the voice and messages were identical. I blocked both phone numbers and have had none since.
I have received no emails or regular mail from Social Security regarding suspicious activity.
Please advise me as to whether these phone calls are legitimate or that they may possibly be scams.
Thank you.
L.A.
Hi Edward. 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.
Joan B.
Yesterday I received 2 calls
#1. 2:10pm from Oconomowoc phone 262-354-1143 Officer Amanda Barnes Social Security fraud south border of Texas press one left message on answer machine
#2 5:07pm from P Aguilar phone 262-354-4948
same message and have a good day on answer machine
Thank you
Andrew
I received a similar message as your #1. I called them back (suspicious it was a scam) and asked if they could give me any information that would make it clear they were legitimate. The guy (who had an accent I couldn’t trace, I think it may have been Indian) gave me a name, badge ID number, and physical location. I thanked him, let him know I’d be reporting this to the Federal Trade Commission, and that I’d call back if they deemed it was not a scam. “Alright.” Which was just an odd way to respond. Anyway. I reported it.
My first call had said that someone with my SSN had been detected with criminal activity so they were calling to let me know. I figure that if someone with my SSN has been doing criminal activity, I’ll hear about it from the police. I’m not doing any crimes, so if the police contact me I’d be just fine.
L.A.
Hi Joan. 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.
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Dyannah P.
I found this article interesting. Especially since I have experienced a few different scams so far. Lately, I have gotten several phone calls on multiple weeks telling me it was Social Security calling and my account was being suspended because someone had been fraudulently looking into my account. I have ignored each attempt. Because I have heard many times that SS will not call people.
On another occasion I was attempting to invest in a condo that was for sale and the people asked for my DOB, CDL, Social security number and my bank account numbers to check my background. I refused to give them my whole SS # but provided the last 4 digits of it and of my bank accounts.
L.A.
Hi Dyannah. 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.
Alice D.
Had a scammer supposedly from Social Security about something fraudulently on my account. They forward by call, when they got on the phone I didn’t say anything, after a few seconds they asked if they could help me. I said I don’t know, that they had called me and they hung up immediately!
L.A.
Hi Alice. 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.
Jerry S.
Question please, Have received three telephone calls this week from someone who claims to be calling from the Social Security office and needs to have me switch over ( by pressing button 1 ) to speak to an officer about someone using my SS number fraudulently. Does the SS use this style of communication ???
L.A.
Hi Jerry. 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.