Frauds & Scams

Top 5 Scam Resources You Need To Know

March 16, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Top 5 Scam ResourcesEarlier this month, we hosted our second annual National “Slam the Scam” Day to raise awareness of government imposter telephone scams. In case you missed anything, we put together a list of the five most important scam resources you should know about:

  1. Read our fact sheet Beware of Social Security Phone Scams to learn how to spot fake calls and emails.
  2. Visit our Office of the Inspector General’s Scam Awareness page for information on phone scams—and how to report them to our Office of the Inspector General.
  3. Read our blog post to learn how to protect your Social Security number from identity theft.
  4. Create your own personal my Social Security account to help you keep track of your records and identify any suspicious activity.
  5. Visit our Fraud Prevention and Reporting page to understand how we combat fraud.

We encourage you to check out our Facebook Live from March 4th on government imposter phone scams below. Please share these scam resources with your friends and family—and help us spread the word on social media.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Freida R.

    My best friend was having affair with a scammer and now he’s got my 5000 Widows payments and I can’t get my Stemless money third payment on my direct express card because of that thank you my friend just saying

  2. Cynthia A.

    I have nothing to say

  3. Jackie

    I want know when you create an account. The Id verify requires that you take a picture of the front and back of your driver license and then they scan your face is that apart of setting up an account with social security?

    • Vonda

      Hi Jackie, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on the verification process to create a “my Social Security” online account and what information you will need to complete it.

    • HatesFraud

      No it is not. I have set up my account. I did not have to scan anything.

  4. Yesenia

    Where do I call if someone is using my social security number??

    • Vonda

      Hi Yesenia, 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.

  5. Debra L.

    I been on ssa for 5 years and I sign up a account on the ssa page and it says I have been on it for only 2 years so what do I do should I call them or what. Thank you

    • Vonda

      Hi Debra, thanks for using our blog. The Benefit and Payment Details section in your personal my Social Security account only shows two years of historical payments. We hope this helps!

  6. Daniel K.

    My wife is not on SS yet but received a mailing from SSA with a questionaire to complete that is an application for Medicare prescription drugs savings program. The application requires very personal and financial information. The documentation appears to be legitament from SSA. Is it?

    • Vonda

      Hi Daniel, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only mail an application if your wife requested it. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. To see if your wife should complete the application, she would need to call her 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.

  7. JOE U.

    WHY IN THE HELL TO YOU THINK THAT I WANT TO READ ANYTHING ON FACEBOOK ?
    ZUKERBERG IS MAKING MILLIONS SPYING ON THE ENTIRE WORLD’S CONSUMERS !
    I REFUSE TO SIGN-UP FOR A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT !
    GET LOST — JERKS !
    AND GO TO HELL !

  8. Linda T.

    This is great info and I will definitely share it everywhere.

  9. Desiree A.

    I have been getting many calla about social security. I just hang up and blocked the numner. I have had about 10 of them.

    • Vonda

      Thanks for letting us know, Desiree. 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.

    • Kathy M.

      Us too. Threatening to be arrested for fraudulent activity on my number. I just said if there is fraud on it it is you that has done it and hung up. We have an answering machine, now if we don’t recognize the number the machine gets it. We average about 6-10 different types of scam calls per day. Trying to sell us everything or telling us our Amazon acct. (which we don’t have) was just charged (a different amount) every time.

  10. Abigail J.

    I have something worse…a hacker in Wisconsin found my fathers e mail, and stole his Medicare. Took us months to get it back. Yesterday I was told I no longer had Medicare, and social security was behind it. I’ve had the same number for 50 years…got it as a kid. Suddenly my number is lost? This better not take another 6 months to clear THIS goof up. And why didn’t Social Security prosecute the thief in Wisconsin?

    • Vonda

      For your security, Abigail, 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 call 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.

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