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. Debra V.

    Ok, look I am on SSI, let me say this I suffer everyday on my money I busted my butt for since 13, we SSI people are not getting a check, why??? I shop same way a person shops for water, toilet paper, buses food, dammit, I’m pissed off, why, ?? I’m 57 yrs old I paid taxes it’s not my fault corna virus , put me broke, everyone should get something, everyone, we VOTE, it’s not our fault people labeled us , nothing, theres my vote nothing….

  2. Lannie H.

    I just received a call that I did not answer but they left a message saying my ss# was compromised. I was immediately suspicious.
    I called the number to hear an foreign man most likely Chinese asking me why I called and then started asking me for personal information.
    Thank God I hung up
    Be Aware…these crooks are coming after us.

  3. LINDA W.

    I CALLED INTO SOCIAL SECURITY AFTER I REALIZED THAT I WAS BEING SCAMMED BUT THEY KNEW SO MUCH OF MY INFORMATION I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT!!! THAT WAS IN NOVEMBER. WELL COME FEBRUARY I DIDN’T GET MY SS/DISABILITY DEPOSITED IN MY ACCOUNT SO OF COURSE I CALLED SOCIAL SECURITY AND HERE THE SCAMMERS HAD GOT A HOLD OF MY CHECK EVEN THO I HAD TALKED TO SOC. SECURITY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SCAMMER!!! I DID NOT GET MY CHECK UNTIL A COUPLE DAYS AGO!!! TRY LIVING ALMOST A MONTH WITH NO MONEY TO BUY FOOD OR ANYTHING!!! I LOST MY PHONE ETC ETC ETC SO NOT RIGHT!!! I HOPE THEY GET STIFF PENALTIES FOR THE SCAMMERS CRIMES!!! TAKING MONEY OR ANYTHING FROM PEOPLE THAT IS NOT YOURS IS SO WRONG!!!

  4. Betty S.

    We hope you can get the scammers off of here. They keep calling threatening to not send my SS check or put me in jail. These people need to get a job & quit these illegal things. There are days we get as many calls as 25 & that is such a nuisance. Thank you.

  5. Paula K.

    I was called yesterday and it was just like you posted. But they gave me my ss number. What can I do to stop this?

  6. Diana M.

    I received a voicemail with this content:

    “1213 if you do not cancel or reschedule this appointment as Social Security representative will call on Monday, February 24 at 10:30 AM if you canceled or rescheduled your appointment today or your business was taken care of today please disregard this message please also be aware that many services are available online at http://www.socialsecurity. GOV hello this is Social Security someone with this phone number has an appointment for Social Security to contact them by phone we are calling to remind you of this appointment if you want to cancel or reschedule this telephone appointment please call our national toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 if you do not cancel or reschedule this appointment as Social Security representative will call on Monday, February 24 at 10:30 AM if you canceled or rescheduled your appointment today or your business was taken care of today please disregard this message please also be aware that many services are available online at www. Social Security GOV…”

    I do not recall having an appointment and did not return the call.

    Please advise if this was legitimate.

    Thank you,

  7. Tracie M.

    I received 2 calls 2/21/20 both times indicating my social security number has been turned in as fraud and my account has been frozen. I unfortunately did not get the information you need to track this scammer, but if they call back, I will.

  8. Joel I.

    My wife gave here SS # to a scam call is there any action to take
    number was 912-742-0172

  9. James N.

    Today, I received a call from a recording claiming to be Social Security. They said my # has been compromised. I hung up because I was under the impression that the administration did not call individuals. I hope that is the case.
    Also, I would like to voice my opinion regarding any mailed correspondence. I don’t like the fact that you print out my full SS# in the letter. My name & address should be sufficient. As we all all know the terrible problem regarding identity theft. The administration does not need to help make the problem worse. Thank you for hearing me out. Ps. This letter I am referring to is a letter from the treasury dept. Informing me that they are withholding a bit of my SS payment to pay my bill at the VA pharmacy. I don’t know if that makes a difference that it is from the Treasury Department. Maybe.all Departments should refrain from such practices. Again, Thank You.

  10. Javier P.

    Been trying to make an account for months and despite having my phone number matching email social security number all my personal information. I’ve lived in same address same house for 51 years you still block me out every time now how is it that scammers get away with identity theft but a law a bidding citizen of our great nation can’t even open an account???

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