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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lynn
I am continually getting the “robo” calls claiming that my social security number has been frozen due to suspicious activity in whatever state that is not my state. I played along today and pressed “1” to find out more. I got some indian-sounding person who could barely say “Social Security Administration” and then asked what my name was. I told him he has been calling me, so he obviously knows who I am. he hung up. How can these calls be stopped. I AM on the Federal DO NOT CALL list.
Sherry K.
I have been receiving phone calls for about two weeks now. Saying that my social security number is being used and to call them. The one I got today at 10:34 am saying that my social security number has been frozen. The number from today is 1-833-781-8208
Nishanth G.
I’m receiving robot calls from last five days that my social security number is suspended from below numbers, these calls are getting between 8:00 -8:10 in weekdays everyday
+1 800-865-7209
+1 800-482-0897
A.C.
Hi, Nishanth. Thanks for letting us know. 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.
S. W.
I received a call today from 883-591-8186 advising me that my social security number has been suspended. I know this is not true. Please don’t fall for this type of scam.
Nishanth G.
I’m receiving calls from 5 days saying my social security number is suspended and I’m losing benefits these calls coming daily around 8:00 AM -8:10 AM from below numbers (everytime the number is new)
+1 800-865-7209
+1 800-482-0897
Aida (.
I received a call from 612 444 0157, saying that there is Suspicious activity on my SSA number and that I will be arrested if I do not call them back. I called them back and spoke to Henry Brown Badge #CS129 He asked for my full name, date of birth and SSN.. Mr. Brown got very vulgar when I would not give him my full SSN for verification purposes. I said to him, if you are from SSA you should have my social since their is suspicious activity on my record. He said that I will be arrested soon. I told him to come and find me. He advised me that the authorities would be seeing me soon and then hung up.
L.A.
Hi Aida. 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.
Douglas C.
I was tired and emotionally stressed yesterday when I was called by “the Spark Energy Program Of Com Ed”. I ended up providing them with all my personal information: Full name, address, home phone number, date of birth, and SSN. Turns out they were working for a company that solicits business for the Spark Energy company, an independent power supplier that gets business by getting these phone application leads.
This late in the process, how can I rectify my mistakes, and keep my personal information, including Social Security, safe?
L.A.
THi Douglas. 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.
Gary P.
Would you contact anyone using an a robotic voice or altered voice about an issue. Or even a robotic voice identifying them as an officer but indicate you need to press 1 number to actually talk to an agent.
L.A.
Hi Gary. 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.
Yukiko T.
I just received an automated call from +1 (202) 742-9501 saying they have a lawsuit against me for fraudulent activity from the Social Security Administration.
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Yukiko. 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.
Jamar P.
Same here. I keep getting calls. Voicemail says ssn is getting canceled. Ex. Voicemail from 8880492543. “ your social security number with immediate effect due to __ all your social benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect with ___ social security administration in order to connect with a social security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the officer now press one ____ “
and it continues on.
Please stop the scam calls.
carminenatalejr
On June 22 I received a call saying there was a court order to suspend my account. 336-502-2200.
On August 6th I received the same call from the same number but to call back on 888-970-1217.
On August 19th the same call but a different number this time. 877-930-1715.
They all say there is a court order to stop payments. One said to call the commonwealth.
None of these came up on my phone as coming from s.s. I am sure this is a fraud but I depend on that check every month. I would love to get my hands on these people.
L.A.
Hi Carminenatalejr. 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.