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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Carl S.
Just received a voicemail from 707-173-7423 stating that it was the Department of Social Security Administration calling to inform me about shutting down my SSN due to suspicious activity. In my 50+ years, I’ve never heard it called anything other than SSA or the Social Security Administration. The “Department of” is the giveaway for me that this is a scam call.
L.A.
Hi Carl, and thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Vivian W.
I just received a phone call saying my social security number has been stolen and was used in criminal act like drugs and trafficking which is a lie and saying charges are going to be filed and that i need to get a lawyer
L.A.
Hi Vivian. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Micheal J.
I just received a call from this number +18883819750 . Telling me that my SS number has been used. I believe it is fraud.
L.A.
Hi Michael. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Linda
Just recieved a call from 715-683-0271 stating my SS number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Press 1 for more information. Scammers!
L.A.
Hi Linda. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Paula M.
I have received 3 calls today claiming they are from the social security administration. They say there has bern some suspicious activity on my account and my social security number will be deactivated. The first 2 times I hung up but on the 3rd call I pressed 1 to talk with a so called representative. I didnt give them the chance to ask for my information. I yelled at them saying i have contacted my social security office and to stop calling this number
L.A.
Hi Paula. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Carolyn A.
Today I received a call from the Social Security Office with at phone number of 725-213-2853 that requested we call them back. That our (they did not leave a name) SSN has been forced to close and if we did not call them back, we would be arrested and/or we would get a letter that told us to appear in court. We have been receiving a number of calls from the SS Office threating us with legal actions. Just wondering if this is true and whether or not I need to contact them back. Or this is a scam and do not call them back.
L.A.
Hi Carolyn. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Andrew K.
There is a phone scam going on here in Southern New Jersey. It is not very sophisticated, but they attempt to tell you that there is a problem with your account that could result in legal problems for you. They want you to fix it immediately , and , of course, they ask for your info. It is a foreign person of indeterminate origin , and he gets aggitated when you do not comply. I asked for a number so I could call back, and he gave me a number that when dialed indicated there was no such number. It has happened to other people while I was in their presence in a two week span of time. Beware !
Julian B.
I have received three calls so far from 800 numbers, claiming that due to suspicious activity, my SSN is suspended, along with all benefits and then prompting me to press 1 to speak with a representative. The numbers that called today are no longer in service when called back and the one from Friday answers with an automated prompt to press 1 if you are 50 or older. Obvious scams and definitely not what you would get with any federal government office.
L.A.
Hi Julian. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Cynthia C.
I have been receiving these type of calls numerous times a day for the last three weeks or so. I filled out a fraud report on line and that is about all I can do. You’d think they would stop calling the same number after a while
James M.
+1 (929) 603-2201
This number has been calling stating you are about to
Take action against me.
Please investigate.
L.A.
Hi James. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Dan S.
My name is Ralph Shyduik Jr. I have recieved several calls lately that my ss# is fraudulenty being used in South Texas. How do I follow through on this to make sure nobody is using my number. I do not want to put any information on the internet in case this is how the got my number. I look forward to a response to protect myself.
thank you
Ralph Dan Shyduik Jr.
L.A.
Hi Dan. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.