Frauds & Scams

Social Security Informing You About Recent Scams

September 10, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last 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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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. REBECCA D.

    Today on my personal cell I received robocalls stating my SS is suspended due to fraudulent activity. Press 1 to speak to an agent. Of course I hung up on most of the calls but the latest one from ID of Bank of America I did press 1. The person answering informed me that they are an agent with Social Security Administration named “Jay Kumar, Ext 028401956” and that he needed my name. These are the telephone numbers received today as of 2:30pm CT:

    Bank of America 1.713.247.6694
    US Postal Svc 1.713.226.3899
    No ID name 1.713.538.2171
    No ID name 1.713.264.9859

    Please catch these individuals as I use my cell for business purposes as well as personal use.

    • Susan

      Thanks for letting us know, Rebecca. 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.

      • Terry H.

        I received a letter today from SSA. It’s addressed to me and states that a “transaction was recently attempted with my name and personal information”.
        It asks me to call 855-257-0067 followed by 3075069.

        Do you know if this is a scam?

  2. Herbert J.

    I received 2 phone calls on 12/11/20 stating that my SS# had been suspended. I hung up on the second call, but after speaking to a “representative” on the first call, I gave them my last 4.

    Is there anything I can do other than register with your site (which I have already done) to protect my identity?

    • Vonda

      Thanks for letting us know, Herbert. 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.

  3. Damien W.

    Today I got a call from some people saying that my social security number has been linked to illegal activities. I called them and the woman asked for my social. I gave it to her,so now these people got my social security number. I was told to report it to social security. Could u please help me they got my social security number.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for reaching out, Mark. 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.

  4. Lois H.

    Recently I received a conventional letter, apparently from the social security administration. The content seemed strange – it said that ssa would be starting to send me benefits in January of 2021. Meanwhile I have been receiving benefits for over 6 years. Also the letter mentioned a dollar figure that is way less than I am already receiving. In addition, the letter did not contain my social security number. Does all this imply a fraudulent letter?

  5. Janet M.

    You have a new message at mySocialSecurity in the Message Center. Log in at https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL to read it.

    I received the above text message. Is it real or a scam?

    • Ellen A.

      I received that same text message today.

  6. Diane R.

    I received 2 calls today from a scammer, one on my cell and the other on my husband’s cell. It was a foreigner who said our social security number is being suspended due to auspicious activity on our SS numbers. FOR MORE INFO PRESS ONE. I pressed it and immediately said I had reported him to FBI! He hung up. I rang number back both times and get busy signal. The phone number used weren’t the same. This happened today!

    • Deb M.

      I have received about 5 calls today from a New Paltz, NY number, +1 (845) 255-0169 Since social security is closed today, I checked, it is obviously a scam. They are stating that my number has been suspended due to criminal activity. I have continued to hang up on them but there may be people out there that could fall prey to such actions, be aware, as the web site says…you will be contacted by mail if there is an issue. This has been going on for a couple months to me.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for letting us know, Diane. 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.

  7. Frances

    I received an automated call from 251-454-3082 stating my social security number had been used outside the country and was compromised. The recorded message directed me to press #1 and enter my SSA number. I did not follow the directions and just hung up. I went to the social security.gov site to determine if this is a scam but can find no information.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for checking in with us, Frances. 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.

  8. Laura W.

    The SSN getting used to devote a federal crime which consisted of the renting of a automobile in my call and SSN that was found deserted with blood and 20 lbs cocaine. US Marshals had raided an apt in Houston that had my name a SSN. Legal fees towards my name had been being drawn up for drug trafficking and cash launderin

    https://dealmarkaz.pk/items/category-mobile-phones/p-oppo-a37

  9. Aaron R.

    I received a call this morning by an individual with the name Robert Green who provided a Federal Badge ID # 212447792 and a case number DMC201715 whereby he said SSA was contacting me due to fraudulent activity regarding my SSN – the SSN being used to commit a federal crime which consisted of the renting of a car in my name and SSN that was found abandoned with blood and 20 lbs cocaine. US Marshals had raided an apt in Houston that had my name a SSN. Legal charges against my name were being drawn up for drug trafficking and money laundering – that I needed to secure criminal attorney to defend my name – as i asked more questions the line went dead – the number was a local number that i tried to call back with no answer.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for letting us know, Aaron. 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.

    • Aimee W.

      I just had the exact same call to my phone number. The phone call was from: (941) 780-3828. From an Officer Draven Louis from a drug enforcement administration in San Diego, California. The phone number he gave me was 858-616-4100.

  10. Patricia R.

    I received a call on Friday, Nov 6th, and this morning, Monday, Nov. 9th, from what appears to be a local cell number. Both were recorded messages that my SS number has been used in a legal matter, and not to hang up. The first call mention Texas. It also said that I should not hang up. I hung up before more instructions were given. I I didn’t listen to anything beyond the 1st comment about my SS number being used. It was a different local number. I also blocked that number. Are there any other steps that I need to take? Hopefully they will stop soon.

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