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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Jerry H.
I received a call on Sept 3 that my SSN was being investigated and that Legal Enforcement activity and if I didn’t respond to 706-403-0185 I would be charged with fraud activity. I tried to call and report it to SS Admin but all I get is is a 2 hour recorded message with every web site the Federal Government has. You don’t care, I don’t care.
L.A.
Hi Jerry. 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.
Kirk G.
I just received a call on my cell phone that showed up as “Social Security Administration” which led to believe it was probably legit. The phone number in my logs showed as 1(866)366-9549. The caller said he was SS and he asked me to verify my name spelling. I did not however he then recited my name and I confirmed – it was correct. Next, he explained that my SSN was suspended because it was used in Drug Trafficking out of Texas (a state I have no connection to) and further explained that an arrest warrant was issued for me! He explained some other basic scenario things and then asked me to verify my SSN by reciting it to him. I told him I don’t give that out over the phone. He said they were coming to arrest me then and I will be behind bars. I said, ok, then we can have a more detailed discussion.
This guy gave me his name which I assume is falsely used (he spelled it out for me) and gave me an ID number. They were Johnson Parker GS45189.
I just wanted to alert people to this variation of scam and also let SS Admin know.
L.A.
Hi Kirk. 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.
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Iris K.
I received a phone call from an UNKNOWN number A man asking me to name my medication; he sounded credible. I refused to give any info and hung up.
Robert
Today 9/3/2019 received a call from 315-636-5401 stating my SS number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. I call them back. They were rude. They did not sound as SSA officials. They hanged up on me when I asked how they can verify that they are SSA officials.
L.A.
Hi Robert. 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.
Dave H.
Received scam call from 410-849-6059. Robotic voice.
It said there was fraudulent activity and to call them at that number.
L.A.
Hi Dave. 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.
Gordon M.
FYI- many scam calls over Labor Day weekend from: 868-371-7295& 868-350-8557. Both numbers show Chaguanas, Trinidad& Tobago as origin. Thank you.
L.A.
Hi Gordon. 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.
Janet S.
I received a call stating that there was fraudulent activity with my social security number and the number had been suspended. It was an 800 number. Of course I did not react, and thought it was a scam.
Elizabeth B.
I received a call from +14439473379. It was an automated system telling me they were going to take action against my bank account due to outstanding balance. I accidentally called back when I tried to copy the number called from. Some guy answered identifying shelf as social security administration. I heard the TV in the background. I said wrong number and hung up. Must have been from the USA because of what I heard on the TV
K.O.
Hello Elizabeth. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not make random calls claiming “action against your bank account”. If you received such a call from someone claiming 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.
Jack M.
In trying to be the wonderful wife she is, my wife tried to save me trouble (I can’t stand computers), and file for my lost Social Security card, which was lost when our house burned down (along with many others) in the recent Lilac Fire. She went to a site called:
https://www.easy-apply.us/social-security-cards
They charged her $39 to get me a new Social Security card. We just now called our bank and cancelled the $39 charge, which they said they did. The site above received my Social Security card number and other information. The thing that alerted me was that they accepted my birthplace as St. Louis, Montana, rather than St. Louis, Missouri. Has my Social Security number been compromised because of them receiving my SS number?
K.O.
Hello Jack. Please keep in mind that most of our services are provided free of charge. Avoid disclosing your personal information unless you are certain of a person’s authority to have that information.
As for a replacement Social Security card, please understand that you may NOT need a replacement Social Security card. In most cases, you will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is really the important thing.
To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. Keep in mind all submitted documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency and must (unless otherwise indicated) have been issued within the last two years. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Once you’ve submitted all the needed documents, it can take up to 10 business days from the date we received the application to mail a replacement card. We hope this helps.
Representatives at our toll free number 1-800-772-1213, are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!