Please report Social Security-related scams here.
Find press releases and fraud advisories from OIG here.
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BEWARE OF SOCIAL SECURITY PHONE SCAMS
The Social Security Administration and Office of the Inspector General continue to receive reports of scammers impersonating SSA employees over the phone, to request personal information or money. Imposters may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or legal action. Do not fall for it!
- SSA employees will NEVER threaten you for information, or promise a reward or resolution in exchange for personal information or money.
- Do not use caller ID 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.
- Impostors may use legitimate names and phone numbers of SSA employees.
- If the caller demands sensitive personal information, payment via gift card or pre-paid debit card or wire transfer, it is a scam.
- If the caller makes threats when you do not comply with their request, it is a scam.
If you receive a suspicious call:
1. Hang up!
2. Do not give them money or personal information
3. Report the scam at OIG.SSA.GOV/REPORT
LEARN ABOUT AND REPORT SCAMS
The Federal Trade Commission has many resources to help you learn about scams, and report and recover from identity theft at the links below:
If you believe you have been a victim of unemployment fraud, please report it to the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General.
If you believe you have been a victim of an IRS impersonation scam, please report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Report violations of U.S. federal law or suspected terrorism or criminal activity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at fbi.gov/tips.
Social Security Administration’s Social Security Matters blog
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
COVID-19 SCAMS
SSA OIG is aware of COVID-19 scams involving Social Security. We will continue to monitor and provide updates on these scams. We recently issued a fraud advisory warning the public that SSA will not suspend or discontinue Social Security payments as a result of COVID-19 office closures.
Scammers may also offer a benefit increase due to COVID-19. We urge you to be very cautious of any unsolicited calls, letters, emails, or texts offering a benefit increase. Social Security will never offer a benefit increase in exchange for payment.
Links to Agency Coronavirus Pages
Social Security Administration
Department of Labor OIG Pandemic Response Portal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health & Humans Services OIG COVID-19 Portal
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)
FRAUD ADVISORIES
March 2020: Inspector General Warns Public About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam
March 2020: Inspector General Warns Public About Widespread Social Security Scam Texts
February 2020: Inspector General Announces "National Slam the Scam" Day
January 2020: Inspector General Announces Civil Action to Prevent Social Security Scam Calls from Reaching Consumers
January 2020: IG Warns Public About New Twist to Social Security Phone Scams
BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT LETTERS IMPERSONATING SSA AND SSA OIG
Phone scammers may offer to send official letters or reports by email to convince you they are legitimate government employees. Do not believe them! The letters may appear to be from Social Security or Social Security OIG, with official letterhead and government “jargon.” They may also contain misspellings and typos. Beware! You can view fake documents used in a scam by clicking the links below.
Sample of Fake Social Security Administration OIG Letter
Sample of Fake Social Security Administration Letter
Sample of Fake Social Security Administration OIG Report
Sample of Fake Social Security Administration OIG Abbreviations Page 1 and Page 2
Fact Sheet: Slam the Scam
Click the image to download a PDF:
Fact Sheet: Beware of Social Security Phone Scams
Click the image to download a PDF:
Fact Sheet: Protecting Personal Information
Click the image to download a PDF: