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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Heather D.
I wish you people would just give me my SSDI back It seems like you are trying to scare everybody into not answering there phone’s ever so you don’t have to give them there well deserved benefits and that WRONG!
Peggy s.
been getting calls for months saying my card has been cotermise. I just hang up.
Susan G.
This happened to me, I didn’t send anything,I called my social Security office, and they gave me a email address to contact which I did,had trouble sending it.I also got amessage on my cell,about a problem with a bank account I’m supposed to have,I did not call or text back.
Tina Y.
I’ve received several calls from people but I know for a fact I’m not US citizen saying they work for the Social Security office I immediately just hang up I didn’t have time to even talk with them because I know that the social security office that is not the way that they contact clients
Carolyn C.
I had a guy call me saying he was from the social security office and there was a crime in Texas linked to my ss no and he had suspended my ss no and I could gt A new one for 500 lol I hung up on him and reported him to the ss office
Gayle S.
We have been receiving calls from “ Medicare Health Center”. The phone #’s are from all over the country. We’ve received about 25 calls from them. One day received 3 calls in 45 minutes. They are calling supposedly because my husband will turn 65 in February. Only thing is his birthday isn’t in February. Either way Medicare wouldn’t be calling him.
deidra h.
I think I’ve been victimize by someone
Frieda L.
I think my son was a victim of a scam he has bipolar someone broke into his mailbox I never received any stimulus money for him
Terry M.
I can get an email from people telling me that I’ve got some money in different country and they say that they work for the official Uno FBI site of some Commerce place and they say that I am video how I have a some point million dollars and I have to do is send them money I won’t send anybody money or nothing but they keep saying that doesn’t an ATM card all this crap are there scams to the door then there’s a lot of them over there and they won’t do not stop bugging me and they see phone is his email me an e-mail me an e-mail me an email me and it’s driving me crazy so is that a scam to get it out there because they’re asked to leave until almost at offer to pay for your money to get the money and they’re good they’re good but I haven’t paid any money to anybody yet
carmella v.
just block the email or report it
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Terry. 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.
Yolanda P.
I have gotten calls about ss they say for me to call them back or i have charges filed against me i just hung up
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Yolanda. 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.