Scam Awareness

Please report Social Security-related scams here.

Find press releases and fraud advisories from OIG here.

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:

- Gift Card Scams

- Government Imposter Scams

- Identity Theft

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

USA.gov

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