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
Comments
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Connie S.
I received an obviously fraudulent call today from 1-878-212-1601 Washington,Pa stating I should call a number about the consequences of my committing social security fraud.
K.O.
Hello Connie. Thanks for sharing your experience. You may also report suspicious calls 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.
Nancy K.
I received a voice message stating to call SSN and I called back and individual wanted my DOB and SSI number and I hung up. You could hear other people talking in the background and person I was talking to sounded to be Puerto Rico
Nancy K.
My call was from 1-510-680-3216
K.O.
Hello Nancy. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Nancy K.
I did report it. Thank you
rb
i just received a call from +1 800-934-5322 about SSN fraud.
K.O.
Hello rb. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
H
I received a voicemail yesterday from “Officer Marie Gomez”. The number was 832-598-8367, which is Houston, TX. The message said my “number has been suspended due to some reasons”. Just filed a report here on this site.
Thomas (.
I got three scam calls in the last two days from 1-833-906-3194.regarding my ss #. I hung up fast without listening to the whole msg. I’ll block the number.
Gabrielle
I just received a phone call which I think said it came from the social security administration (sorry the quality of the sound was low and English is not my first language). It threatened some sort of legal action. The call came from 1-800-994-2981. I thought it was a scam, but to be certain, I phoned back. I got somebody who claimed again to be from that same place (I think the social security administration). When I asked if it was genuine, I was told this was (obviously) and given a name of officer and “badge number” (not sure if the administration has any). I said thanks and asked if I could verify some of that online, asking if there was any website where I could check the information. The person said “bye” and hung up soon after that.
I do freak out a bit (I know the administration is not always that forgiving) but given the number of scams and the attitude of the person, I assume it was a scam.
TR
Similar experience to many. Call to my cell came from 625-362-5487 (disconnected if you try to call back) stating suspicious activity and a warrant for my arrest due to the suspicious SS# activity. Person had a bit of personal info on me and when I refused to give more he hung up. I filed an online report. Very unnerving!
Lori L.
Got a voice mail today, sounded robo or lady was 120 yrs old. How would SS Administration get my cell number.
SCAM!!!;
L.A.
Hi Lori. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Sylvia
I don’t see my earlier comment I wrote in which I stated that the representative I spoke to this morning told me I can not return to my application, to finish up. If I do and try to send it in, it will be blank. She said I have to completely start over. I have read in many places, including on this page that you can return to your application using a re-entry number. I called Social Security back because I didn’t want to do anything wrong. The woman I spoke to was SO nice and so helpful. She said that I can use my re-entry number to finish my application or make changes. I was nice to speak with such a pleasant person.
Pam O.
Like a lot of the rest of the comments, I received a phone call from 860-823-2266. It was a recording saying they were calling from the Department of Social Security Administration and my SS# would be suspended because of some suspicious activity. If I want to know more, I could press #1.