Social Security Informing You About Recent Scams
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: September 10, 2020
The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams. You should just hang up on any call you’re uncertain of and ignore suspicious emails. Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears.
One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents and other law enforcement. They may claim your Social Security number is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not comply with their instructions. Just hang up.
As a reminder, you should continue to remain vigilant of phone calls when someone says there’s a problem with your Social Security number or your benefits. If you owe money to Social Security, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.
There are a few ways you can identify a scam call. If you do business with us, remember that we will never:
- Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
- Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
- Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
- Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If you do not have ongoing business with our agency, it is unlikely we will contact you. If you get a suspicious call claiming to be from Social Security, you should hang up and report it to our Office of the Inspector General.
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Tags: fraud, Office of the Inspector General
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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David O.
Link to Office of Inspector General to report a scam phone call did not work.
Received a scam call today at :3:25 from 804-301-1349, claiming to be from law enforcement and legal action could be taken against me for fraud. I hung up and am reporting the contact
V.V.
Hi David. You can report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
dennis m.
Just recived a call, saying they where from ssi. They hung up as soon as i told them ssi doesnt call. This is the number that called me. 920-671-4049 thank you.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Dennis. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Angela M.
I just received a phone statement from social security Saying its a warrant got my arrest. The number 1.615.504.6868
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Angela. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Eliezer G.
470-248-4880 I just received a phone call from this number requesting call back again this number, Due a fraudulent account has being use using my Social Security number, I did hang up didn’t call back, Suspecting to be a scam call.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Eliezer. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
John J.
just received an email saying that I was eligible for another stimulus check. non has been approved to my knowledge. I did not open the email. I received it at 4:54am sept 21st, 2020.
V.V.
Hi John, thanks for checking in with us. The email you received is legitimate and was sent to those with a personal my Social Security account. The informational email was in regards to the IRS extending their deadline to help children and adults get their Economic Impact Payment. The link in the email is directing individuals to our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Sandi
I also received an email today stating they have extended the economic impact deadlines it read like this?
“It’s Not Too Late!
The IRS has extended deadlines to help children and adults get their Economic Impact Payments.
(click here)
Learn More and Act Now
Is this from ssa?
bt
I too received the same email
V.V.
Hi bt, thanks for checking in with us. The email you received is legitimate. The informational email is sent to those with a personal my Social Security account and is directing them to our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Yvonne H.
subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov
Is this a valid email address from SSA?
Thank you.
V.V.
Hi Yvonne, thanks for checking in with us. The email you received is legitimate. The informational email is sent to those with a personal my Social Security account and is directing them to our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Ronald J.
I received an email supposedly from Social Security, saying it’s not too late to benefit from an “economic impact” payment and that I was to click to get started. DiD Social Security email me such a message, or is it a scam?
Bruce B.
I just asked the same question, sir. Hope we get an answer tomorrow!
Marlene H.
Not replying, but following. Since SSA states in their information on fraud that it’s unlikely that they would contact us if we don’t have current business with them, either the email is fraud, or they need to update their website.
I received the email also.
V.V.
Hi Ronald, thanks for checking in with us. The email you received is legitimate. The informational email is sent to those with a personal my Social Security account and is directing them to our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Johnette M.
You may want to take the added precaution to confirm even WRITTEN letters received via USPS…. by calling or chatting via instant message via SS website confirming the letter was sent by SS….todays coping technology can enable scammers to convincingly forge official SS letter head…