How to Report Social Security Scam Calls – 2021

If you are getting Social Security scam calls, you can help authorities investigate these fraudulent calls by reporting them. However, many people that receive these calls do not know what to do or who to report them to. We can help. In this post, we will provide you details on how to report Social Security Scam calls.

First, we will answer the question our readers ask the most about Social Security fraud calls, which is = “Does the Social Security Administration call people when there is a problem?”

Next, we will provide tips on how to identify fraudulent Social Security calls.

Lastly, we will provide you details on how to report these calls, including to the SSA, FTC, and your state’s Attorney Generals Office.

the call by hanging up and dialing the real Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. (Make sure to hang up first so you don’t inadvertently hit Call Back on the scam call you just received.)

Fake Social Security Calls on the Rise

If your phone rings and someone says it’s the Social Security Administration, it probably isn’t.

Social Security Scam calls have become so common that by now, you may have received one of those calls, or know someone who has.

The problem is so alarming that the Social Security Administration (SSA) designed Thursday, March 5, as “Slam the Scam Day,” in a campaign to raise public awareness about Social Security scams.

In 2021, the SSA held its Second Annual “Slam the Scam Day,” campaign on March 4, 2021.

For examples of what these calls sound like, see our post on – Examples of Social Security Scam Calls.

To illustrate how much of a problem Social Security fraud has become, here’s the latest data from the SSA on the issue:

Social Security Call Scams in Numbers

In 2020, the Social Security administration received over 718,000 reports of Social Security-related telephone scams—with a total of $44.8 million reported lost.

What is more alarming is that victims who lost money reported an average loss of $5,800.

As part of efforts to raise awareness about the issue, the SSA has released the video below:

Does Social Security Administration call you if there’s a problem?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will never make an unsolicited call to you and ask for your Social Security Number or other personally-identifying information.

Also, the SSA will not call you about suspicious or fraudulent activity on your account.

Furthermore, the Social Security Administration will not call you about legal action.

Additionally, the SSA will never:

• Threaten you;
• Suspend your Social Security Number;
• Demand immediate payment, require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, or wire transfer; or
• Ask for gift card numbers over the phone.

It is therefore important to be vigilant.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with the SSA or requesting Social Security-related information, here’s what you should do:

• Do not engage with the caller;
• Hang up the phone immediately;
• Do not return unknown calls, texts, or e-mails;
• Do not give money or personal information;

How to recognize a Social Security scam

Here are five ways you can spot a scam, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Scammers are aware that people are catching on to their attempts, so they’re coming up with new ways to convince Social Security beneficiaries that their frauds are legitimate.

Here’s what to watch for so you can protect yourself and others from Social Security scams.

1. Threatening arrest or legal action

If you receive a threatening phone call claiming that there is an issue with your Social Security number or Social Security benefits, it’s a scam.

Note that the real Social Security Administration (SSA) will never threaten you with arrest or other legal action if you don’t immediately pay a fine or fee.

2. Emails or texts with personally identifiable information

If you receive an email claiming to be from the SSA requesting your personal information, it’s a scam.

If there’s a legitimate problem with your Social Security number or record, the SSA will mail you a letter to notify you of any issues.

3. Misspellings and grammar mistakes

Scammers are getting smart and are sending follow-up emails and letters to appear to trick you into thinking you are actually dealing with the real Social Security Administration.

If the caller follows up with emails containing falsified letters or reports that appear to be from the SSA or SSA’s OIG, look closely.

The letters may use government “jargon” or letterhead that appears official in order to help convince victims.

However, typically these letters may also contain misspellings and grammar mistakes.

4. Requests for payment by gift or pre-paid card, cash, or wire transfer

You may receive calls requesting that you send money through wire transfer, prepaid card, or a gift card to the Social Security Administration. This is a scam.

If you do need to submit payments to the SSA, the agency will mail a letter with payment instructions and options through U.S. mail.

You should never pay a government fee or fine using retail gift cards, cash, internet currency, wire transfers, or pre-paid debit cards.

However, scammers ask for payment this way because it’s difficult to trace and recover.

5. Offers to increase benefits in exchange for payment

Lastly, scammers may call you offering you Social Security services for a fee.

It is important to remember this:

The Social Security Administration employees will never promise to increase your Social Security benefits, or offer other assistance, in exchange for payment.

How to Report Social Security Scam Calls

Protect yourself and others by reporting a Social Security Scam Call. Here are the various ways to do so:

Report to the Social Security Administration

First, you can report Social Security scam calls to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Reporting Social Security fraud to the OIG is easy, safe, and secure.

Here’s how:

Phone: 1-800-269-0271

Online: https://oig.ssa.gov/report

Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Additionally, you can report Social Security fraud calls to the FTC.

The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints.

Here’s how:

Report telephone scams online to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-382-4357.

You can also report online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Furthermore, you can report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/.

Lastly, you can report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission.

You can report either online or by phone at 1-888-225-5322.

Report to your State’s Consumer Protection Office

Lastly, you can also report fraudulent calls, including Social Security scam calls to your state’s consumer protection agency.

Here’s a list of Consumer Protection Agencies for all 50 states and territories in alphabetical order:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Guam

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

U.S Virgin Islands

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

How to Report Social Security Scam Calls Summary?

Here’s the bottom line on Social Security Scam Calls:

First, Social Security Administration will never make an unsolicited call to you and ask for your Social Security Number or other personally-identifying information.

Here’s what to do when you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from the SSA:

• Do not engage with the caller;
• Hang up the phone immediately;
• Do not return unknown calls, texts, or e-mails;
• Do not give money or personal information;

Also, here’s how to report Social Security fraud calls:

You can report them to:

The Social Security Administration at:

Phone: 1-800-269-0271

Online: https://oig.ssa.gov/report

Additionally, you can report them to the FTC at:

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

You can also report fraudulent calls, including Social Security scam calls to your state’s consumer protection agency.

For the contact information for your state’s agency, click here.

Questions?

We hope this post on How to Report Social Security Scam Calls was helpful.

If you have further questions about Social Security Scams, Social Security, or Disability benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles on:
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Are Stimulus Checks Considered Taxable Income?
Second Stimulus check for $600: Update
Direct Express Stimulus Check Deposit Date
How to Login my Social Security Account
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2022 Social Security Payment Dates