Social Security Phone Scams

While the latest round of stimulus deposits are now becoming available from the U.S. Treasury, as part of President Biden’s  $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, scammers have already been taking advantage of unsuspecting Americans, and some of them are hitting close to home. Beware of scammers calling you about your deposit through the latest wave of security phone scams!

According to the Social Security Administration and Office of the Inspector General, reports of scammers impersonating SSA employees over the phone are currently requesting personal information or money. Imposters may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or legal action. Do not fall for it!

Here’s how to know if you’re on the phone with a scam artist pretending to be from the Social Security Administration:

First of all, SSA employees should never threaten you for information, or promise a reward or resolution in exchange for personal information or money. If the caller is making threats, or demands sensitive personal information, payment via gift card or pre-paid debit card or wire transfer, it is certainly a scam.

SSA will NEVER:

– text or email images of an employee’s official government identification;

– suspend your Social Security number;

– threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee;

– require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or mailing cash;

– promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment; or

– send official letters or reports containing your personal information via email.

Do not use caller I.D. to verify that the caller is a government employee. Many scam calls “spoof” official government numbers, such as SSA’s National 800 Number, the Social Security Fraud Hotline, local Social Security field offices, SSA press offices, or local police numbers. Additionally, these impostors may use legitimate names and phone numbers of SSA employees.

If you receive a suspicious call:

1. Hang up! If they call back, don’t answer.
2. Do not give them money or personal information
3. Report the scam at OIG.SSA.GOV/REPORT

Find out more information at Scam Awareness | Office of the Inspector General, SSA, https://oig.ssa.gov/scam

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