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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president k.
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Ramon G.
received a call at 1442 hrs on 9/11/20
caller claimed to be from Soc. Sec and that my SSN was used in Texas and that I needed to contact them by pressing #1 call was then disconnected. Number on my call log is as follows: (619) 988-4213
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Ramon. 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.
Norma Q.
Well , I wished I would of seen this a couple weeks ago, I’m new to this SSI , EVERYTHING I READ WAS DONE TO ME,, IT Scared me it and I even kept the voicemail, I gave them everything I had, so Im doing with out , untill my ssi comes in, My fault for believing them , it won’t happen again, not to me anyway, Hard Lesson Learned,,
Sandra M.
Thanks for the info …i got about 6 calls my SSA card being suspended … it was used in TEXAS….when someone was arrested in a Drug BUY
Laquitta O.
I received a scam call but didn’t realize it was a scam until it was to late. They had all of my information. What should I do. I called the office and reported it. I haven’t heard nothing back from them
Laquitta O.
I received a scam call about 2 weeks ago and I didn’t know it was a scam. What should I do they had all of my information
V.V.
Hi Laquitta, thanks for using our blog. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. Visit http://www.identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on what you can do if you think someone is using your Social Security number.
Anthony J.
I received one of those phony scam calls this afternoon. The phone number they used was 410-793-0495, in case you want to go after them.
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Anthony. 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.
Lisa
They r also scam g UI I’ve waited for my card & $ since 03/13/2020 done all my weekly Certifications and haven’t received a dime. It keeps saying I’m paid… That great where’s the $ ? They ask 4 my card # but I never received a card my whole social, Dob, address, state… The list goes on & on and I’m ready to be out in the street with my animals I’ve lived here almost 10 yrs. Every workforce number and all the numbers that r support to help us never answers and if they do it’s not a live person. Then they hang up on you after over an hour wait or longer.. I went to the office people were there but said they were closed and to call, I explained what happened, then they send me to another location and I go and they tell me the same thing, there closed and to call. Can ANYONE HELP ME?
V.V.
For your security, Lisa, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
ellen n.
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Cathy M.
Someone has been using my name date of birth and social security number for years now for employment in a different State. Social security has done nothing about it. I have called the place of employment and talked to the owner in addition to reporting it to the FTC. Why hasn’t Social security done anything about this manner?. I am disabled and live in Alaska it’s not like I can just pick up and hop a plane fly to another State and investigate this manner myself. I have gotten absolutely no help with this issue ( identify theft ) and its very frustrating.