Frauds & Scams

Social Security Launches New Campaign to Fight Scammers

February 13, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

" "Recently, we launched a new Public Service Announcement* campaign as our latest step to caution you about the ongoing nationwide telephone impersonation scheme. The videos feature a message from our Commissioner, Andrew Saul. Along with our Office of the Inspector General, we continue to receive reports about fraudulent phone calls and emails from people falsely claiming they’re government employees. The scammers play on emotions like fear to convince people to provide personal information or money in cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. Fraudsters are also emailing fake documents in attempts to get people to comply with their demands.

“I want every American to know that if a suspicious caller states there is a problem with their Social Security number or account, they should hang up and never give the caller money or personal information. People should then go online to report the scam call to Social Security,” said Commissioner Saul.

Commissioner Saul also addressed the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging on  January 29. He spoke frankly about these ongoing schemes and how we are educating the public about them.

You can watch the hearing or read the transcript at www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/thats-not-the-government-calling-protecting-seniors-from-the-social-security-impersonation-scam.

Learn to protect yourself and report any suspicious calls and emails right away. If you have already been a victim of one of these scams, do not be embarrassed, and please report it so we can stop these scammers and protect other people. Please share our new Public Service Announcement video with your family and friends.*

*Note: This video is no longer available.

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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. emma j.

    Nice initiative, we should definitely raise our voice against the scammer. My whole Office setup (https://gooff.info/ms-office-setup/) team is with you.

  2. esin b.

    Hi, I am living in overseas. How can I create an account the system does not accept foreign address and telephone.

  3. Nita K.

    It would be great to have a free app that would leave funny messages for phone scammers!!!

  4. Charles E.

    We need to protect information being given to any business requesting our personal information.The Seattle Times requested the Department of Retirement System for state workers personal information be given to them by March 9, 2020 the information they have requested my birth date,address, phone, my full name. this sensitive information will be a scammers dream. I am a state worker my way of giving back to the community I live in.
    Please help to protect state workers personal information.

  5. Joseph A.

    Minutes ago I got a phone call from an Oregon phone number (503-869-1182) that was obvious spam. Not only was it poor quality, it was from a state in which I have never lived full-time. I’m pretty much also inclined to ignore any such contact that is not made via mail asking me to contact SSA versus the other way around.

    No follow-up required assuming this was not a legitimate contact. I’ve blocked the number.

  6. About C.

    Very good start.

  7. BETTY G.

    this is a NON SS SCAM but i received this in last 2 days for those who use FACEBOOK!
    *************************************************
    2.12.2020–358 pm- no answer, call back later.
    TEXT ONLY! DON’T CALL!! GOVT. ORG Director Cheryl Sandberg, cell 1.415.890.9573
    IMMEDIATELY, i got a message saying to text them.
    i want to participate in subject line. 1st time, i have a short message, would NOT send! so sent subject only.
    CHERYL ASKED FOR MY NAME…AUTO REPLY TO ALL FB USERS….
    BETTY G

    “would you like to apply to the FB anniversary USA award and charity promotion program or you wanted to give us some support madam betty”?
    “so please you will have to hold on ma’me as it will take us view anniversary fb winners list for the year 2020 charity minutes, for the management board of director’s have to check if your profile name is ELIGIBLE and still available on our promotion award.”
    “congratulations dear facebook user, shows your name, your FB anniversary winning prize IS available for claiming.
    let us know if you’re ready to participate in the USF CHARITY PROMOTION PROGRAM right now.”

    “profile name is also available on our winners list here and your claiming.
    let us know if you’re ready to participate in the usf charity promotion program right now and your fb anniversary winning prize is available for claiming.”

    me…yes, i’m ready to participate in this program now!
    then she sent me a form by text that i couldn’t read, so i asked her to email me it giving my email.
    she asked for my full mailing address so i gave it.

    next she started asking 1 question at a time to complete which i did.
    age/occupation
    monthly income & marital status
    i gave this and got this back…

    “ok, all your details is safe. hold on while we process and review all your information in our data base.
    all this details will be forward to the management board for accessing and it will be attached to your file.
    this make take some minutes for process, please bear with us madam.”

    “note: since you have a very great idea on what is meant by charity promotion program, we want you to know that fb anniversary USF charity award is NOT A HOAX or an advantage of taken anything from our beneficials without given anything in return.

    MR. MARK ZUCKERBERG IS A BILLIONAIRE AND ONE OF THE RICHEST MAN THAT HAS THE 2ND HIGHEST AMOUNT OF DONATIONS TO CHARITY AFTER mr. bill gates in the whole world.

    so know this charity promotion program is 100% real and legitimized where thousands of people benefit different amounts of prize each and every day. thanks, ”

    “all the process that has to do with all your details and information has been duly observed, accessed, and verified now you can kindly choose your preferable winning prize so that our FEDEX delivery team can deliver your $$ prize to you:

    1. 80,000;
    2. 150,000;
    3. 200,000;
    4. 300,000;
    5. 400,000;
    6. 550,000;
    7. 800,000;
    8. 1,000,000;
    9. 2,000,000;
    10. 3,000,000 your preferable winning Ma’am….
    11. 4,000,000;
    12. 5,000,000;
    you have to choose ….”

    betty chose $200,000.

    “all your details has been review and processed so you will be paying an UPFRONT PAYMENT FOR CASE FILE FEE AND THE SHIPPING FUND so that your fedex express delivery tracking number can be issued. we can bring your preferred winning prize to your doorstep.”

    betty to them…what is the total fee i pay?
    “200,000 is your preferred winning prize and $1000 DELIVERY FEE is prove to management board and the govt. agencies that we’ve to verify that you truly apply for this program and to serve as deliver your prize before the delivery can come up ma’am.

    NOTE: this payment had to be registered down in the company ledger. the $1000 is for your shipping and case file fee.”
    **************************************************
    Yes I have the link, and the program is real and legitimate.

    first you have to contact there Company agent to let them know if you want to participate or if you want to help with the charity.

    And there are more various and huge amount you could benefit so it doesn’t mean if you’re in good financial condition or not, your profile might be eligible to participate in the program as well

    I’ve got part of the amount I have left at home after using a lot out of it to take care of stuffs’

    You just have to contact there company agent, Director Cheryl Sandberg that you want to apply for the program,
    • the woman is so amazing trustworthy
    • reliable and she will put you through!

    Here’s there company cell number, 1.415.890.9573

    kindly Text Agent Cheryl Sandberg right now
    • that you wants to apply
    • claim your Facebook anniversary award and USF Charity promotion program’
    • I applied as a retired

    You can keep informed
    • wish All the best dear Betty

  8. TERESITA S.

    On Jan 17, 2020 & Jan 21, 2020 … 3 calls came in saying that a Fraudulent activity was filed against my Social Security account . . .that I need to verify with them with my social security nbr so they can help me solve the problem. Before I hang up, I wrote the nbrs that it came from . . . 844/209-7988 …..844/623-7334 …..& 616/227-4780.

    I hope you will catch whoever is making these calls.

    Thank you!

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Teresita. 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.

  9. BETTY G.

    here’s the latest NON SS SCAM i got in last 2 days for those of you using FACEBOOK!!
    ************************************************

    2.12.2020–358 pm- no answer, call back later.

    TEXT ONLY! DON’T CALL!! GOVT. ORG Director Cheryl Sandberg, cell 1.415.890.9573
    IMMEDIATELY, i got a message saying to text them.

    i want to participate in subject line. 1st time, i have a short message, would NOT send! so sent subject only.

    CHERYL ASKED FOR MY NAME…AUTO REPLY TO ALL FB USERS….
    BETTY G

    “would you like to apply to the FB anniversary USA award and charity promotion program or you wanted to give us some support madam betty”?

    “so please you will have to hold on ma’me as it will take us view anniversary fb winners list for the year 2020 charity minutes, for the management board of director’s have to check if your profile name is ELIGIBLE and still available on our promotion award.”

    “congratulations dear facebook user, shows your name, your FB anniversary winning prize IS availble for claiming.
    let us know if you’re ready to participate in the USF CHARITY PROMOTION PROGRAM right now.”

    “profile name is also available on our winners list here and your claiming.
    let us know if you’re ready to particiate in the usf charity promotion program right now and your fb anniversary winning prize is available for claiming.”

    me…yes, i’m ready to participate in this program now!
    then she sent me a form by text that i couldn’t read, so i asked her to email me it giving my email.
    she asked for my full mailing address so i gave it.

    next she started asking 1 question at a time to complete which i did.

    age/occupation
    monthly income & marital status
    i gave this and got this back…

    “ok, all your details is safe. hold on while we process and review all your information in our data base.
    all this details will be forward to the management board for accessing and it will be attached to your file.
    this make take some minutes for process, please bear with us madam.”

    “note: since you have a very great idea on what is meant by charity promotion program, we want you to know that fb anniversary USF charity award is NOT A HOAX or an advantage of taken anything from our beneficials without given anything in return.

    MR. MARK ZUCKERBERG IS A BILLIONAIRE AND ONE OF THE RICHEST MAN THAT HAS THE 2ND HIGHEST AMOUNT OF DONATIONS TO CHARITY AFTER mr. bill gates in the whole world.

    so know this charity promotion program is 100% real and legitimized where thousands of people benefit different amounts of prize each and every day. thanks, ”

    “all the process that has to do with all your details and information has been duly observed, accessed, and verified now you can kindly choose your preferable winning prize so that our FEDEX delivery team can deliver your $$ prize to you:

    1. 80,000;
    2. 150,000;
    3. 200,000;
    4. 300,000;
    5. 400,000;
    6. 550,000;
    7. 800,000;
    8. 1,000,000;
    9. 2,000,000;
    10. 3,000,000 your preferable winning Ma’am….
    11. 4,000,000;
    12. 5,000,000;
    you have to choose ….”

    betty chose $200,000.

    “all your details has been review and processed so you will be paying an UPFRONT PAYMENT FOR CASE FILE FEE AND THE SHIPPING FUND so that your fedex express delivery tracking number can be issued. we can bring your preferred winning prize to your doorstep.”

    betty to them…what is the total fee i pay?

    “200,000 is your preferred winning prize and $1000 DELIVERY FEE is prove to
    management board and the govt. agencies that we’ve to verify that you truly apply for this program and to serve as deliver your prize before the delivery can come up ma’am.

    NOTE: this payment had to be registered down in the company ledger. the $1000 is for your shipping and case file fee.”
    *******************************************
    Yes I have the link, and the program is real and legitimate.

    first you have to contact there Company agent to let them know if you want to participate or if you want to help with the charity.

    And there are more various and huge amount you could benefit so it doesn’t mean if you’re in good financial condition or not, your profile might be eligible to participate in the program as well

    I’ve got part of the amount I have left at home after using a lot out of it to take care of stuffs’

    You just have to contact there company agent, Director Cheryl Sandberg that you want to apply for the program,
    • the woman is so amazing trustworthy
    • reliable and she will put you through!

    Here’s there company cell number, 1.415.890.9573

    kindly Text Agent Cheryl Sandberg right now
    • that you wants to apply
    • claim your Facebook anniversary award and USF Charity promotion program’
    • I applied as a retired

    You can keep informed
    • wish All the best dear Betty

  10. J A.

    A few months back I was going to report one of these calls, and I get many. When they began asking for the exact info they remind us NOT to give out, I just backed out and have never tried to report any of my calls again. I just hang up, as I have always done.

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