Beware of Social Security Scams

Beware of Social Security Scams

Social Security & You

Scammers go to great lengths to trick you out of your personal information. We want to help you protect your information by helping you recognize a Social Security imposter. 

There’s a widespread telephone scam involving callers claiming they’re from Social Security. The caller ID may even show a government number. These callers may tell you there’s a problem with your Social Security number. They may also threaten to arrest you unless you pay a fine or fee using gift cards, pre-paid debit cards, a wire transfer, or cash. That call is not from us.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from Social Security, please:

  • Hang up right away.
  • Never give your personal information, money, or retail gift cards.
  • Report the scam at oig.ssa.gov/ to Social Security’s law enforcement team at the Office of the Inspector General.

Social Security will not:

  • Threaten you.
  • Tell you that your Social Security Number has been suspended.
  • Call you to demand an immediate payment.
  • Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. 
  • Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card, or cash.
  • Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.
  • Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.
  • Request personal or financial information through email, text messages, or social media.

Social Security will:

  • Sometimes call you to confirm you filed for a claim or to discuss other ongoing business you have with them.
  • Mail you a letter if there is a problem. 
  • Mail you a letter if you need to submit payments that will have detailed information about options to make payments and the ability to appeal the decision. 
  • Use emails, text messages, and social media to provide general information (not personal or financial information) on its programs and services if you have signed up to receive these messages. 

Please share this information with your family and friends. 

About the author

Brandon P. Smith is the author of Northeast Ohio Thrive’s Social Security & You blog. He is a Social Security public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in Cleveland. A Cleveland native, he joined the SSA in 2003. He is the primary contact for media relations, outreach, and presentations for the agency in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Geauga counties. In addition to other communications awards, Brandon received a Deputy Commissioner Citation from Social Security’s Office of Communication in 2015 for his outstanding public affairs support of the agency’s national communication initiatives.

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