Scammers go to great lengths to trick you out of your personal information. The Social Security Administration wants to help you protect your information by helping you recognize a Social Security imposter.
There’s a widespread telephone scam involving callers claiming they are from Social Security. The ‘fake’ caller ID may even show a government number. These callers may tell you there is 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 the Social Security Administration. It is a scam.
If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from Social Security:
• Hang up right away.
• Never give your personal information, money or retail gift cards.
• Report the scam to Social Security’s law enforcement team at the Office of the Inspector General at phone number 1-800-269-0271 or website oig.ssa.gov/.
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…
