Frauds & Scams

Social Security is Taking Action to Prevent Scam Calls

March 6, 2020 • By

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Last Updated: March 6, 2020

Social Security phone scams are the number one type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission.  Callers claim that you have a problem with your Social Security number or benefits and demand immediate payment from you to avoid arrest or other legal action.

We recently announced two landmark civil complaints, filed by the Department of Justice in the Eastern District of New York, seeking injunctions against five telecommunications companies and their owners.  The complaints allege the companies and their owners have, for years, knowingly facilitated government imposter telephone scams.  The Department of Justice issued a news release about the filing and request for court orders, and held a press call with U.S. Attorney Richard Donaghue, Inspector General Gail S. Ennis, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale.

If granted, the court orders will prevent the five enjoined companies from continuing to allow “the delivery of millions of fraudulent ‘robocalls’ every day from foreign call centers to the U.S. telecommunications system.”

You can read the entire press release at oig.ssa.gov/newsroom/news-releases/inspector-general-announces-civil-action-prevent-social-security-scam-calls

If you receive a call or email about a problem with your Social Security number or account that you believe to be suspicious, hang up or do not respond.  We encourage you to report Social Security phone scams using our dedicated online form at https://oig.ssa.gov.  Please share this information with your friends and family to help them learn how to protect themselves from phone scams.  For more information, please visit https://oig.ssa.gov/scam.

 

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About the Author

Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General

About Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General

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Comments

  1. Barbara D.

    I work at a public Library & I had a patron come in & say that he received mail from SS saying he is owed $800. He thought if he called the number in the letter he would get the correct department. They asked him for his SS# and his mother’s maiden name and other info as well. I encouraged him to contact the SS administration directly to verify that this was not a scam. He felt that the letter & the phone number printed on it was the “real deal”. Have others been contacted this way? I’d like to let him know.

    • V.V.

      Hi Barbara, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone via a letter if they have requested information or have ongoing business with us. To see if Social Security did send that letter, they would need to call their local 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.

  2. Pamela M.

    I have been getting phone calls from Houston Tx.the phone # is 1 832 734 7681 , They say if I dont call them back to tell my side of a story that they will have a warrant against my name and have me arrested,I have got this call three times this week,

    • V.V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Pamela. 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. helene

    Just received a call from 917-665-3568 stating that here is suspicious activity on my SS account.

    • S.D.

      Thanks for letting us know, Helene. 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 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. Jim H.

    Receiving daily calls from scammer saying they are an officer from Social Security Dept. SS number has been compromised. Could lead to jail time, press 1 to speak with officer. When you press one, a person answers pretending to be an officer. I don’t fall for these things. They are annoying though. The numbers are spoofed. Today saying from JPMorgan. Just wanted others to be aware this is going on.

  5. RONALD L.

    The Facebook advertisement using various entertainers requesting you call and speak to someone about additional Medicare savings. Is this a scam? They and up asking for your SS # or Medicare #

    • V.V.

      Hi Ronald, thanks for using our blog. If you need information about the legitimacy of a Medicare ad, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps!

  6. Kimberly J.

    I just had someone call me and they said that they were from your office and said that there was a problem with my ss number and wanted me to give them my number. here is what it came up with on my caller ID Alison Meyer 651-925-7483. Now I just got another call and they said if I don’t respond they were going to have me arrested and jailed. Paramount Digit 651-925-4141.

    I really wish you can get these people.

    • V.V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Kimberly. 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. Nickie

    Continue to receive calls ‭from 701) 412-2307‬ saying it social security administration office
    The person had my name and a warrant out for my arrest.
    How can we stop theses calls

    • V.V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Nickie. 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. Linda D.

    Linda Darlene Brous on August 24, 2020 at 7:29 pm said:
    ive been getting calls for over a year saying a warrent has been issued and they will issue a arrest report against me. it has me living like a moll. all shades pulled, car in garage. ive even stayed in a hotel a few nights out of fear! this is a horrible way to live I cant get rid of them! its going on past a year.I have several numbers. 1. 901-203-2149

  9. Linda D.

    ive been getting calls for over a year saying a warrent has been issued and they will issue a arrest report against me. it has me living like a moll. all shades pulled, car in garage. ive even stayed in a hotel a few nights out of fear! this is a horrible way to live I cant get rid of them! its going on past a year.I have several numbers. 1. 901-203-2149

    • V.V.

      Thanks for letting us know, Linda. 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.

  10. Sean C.

    FYI, I got a call today that was a recording claiming to be from the SSA. The number it came from was 415-322-8404. It claimed that my social security number had been breached, it could lead to jail time if not cleared up, and to wait on the line to talk to an agent.

    Thanks…Sean Cronan
    214-215-2712

    • A.C.

      Hi, Sean. Thanks for letting us know. 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

    • Vernita

      I got a call from apple saying they want to fix my computer, they went straight to My social security. so I didn’t trust them to fix nothing. Now there calling saying I just brought 5 iphone and I didn’t, they are even using another email for my social security. Not the one I use. I need help

Comments are closed.