Pretends to be Social Security
Fake Social Security call
Is a call or message saying my Social Security number is suspended or at risk a scam?
Yes. Social Security will not threaten you, ask for gift cards, crypto or cash, or tell you to keep a secret. If you worry, hang up and call the real Social Security number from ssa.gov.
Real organizations never do this. Stop. Hang up or delete it.
Also searched as: SSA, Social Security Administration call, SSN suspended, benefits stopped, Social Security letter
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Phone call
- Text message
- Letter or postcard
- Social media
- Website
- In person
2 They pretend to be
- Police or government
3 They ask for
- Personal details
- Money
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Wire or Zelle
- Cash or gold by courier
- Secrecy
- Tap a link
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to be Social Security. What gives it away:
- Pay with gift cards
- A courier picks up cash
- Pay with crypto
What they may say
“you must pay immediately to restore benefits”
“your Social Security number (SSN) has been frozen due to alleged criminal activity”
“your Social Security number was "suspended" due to criminal activity”
Warning signs
- They tell you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers. No real agency or company asks to be paid that way.
- They send someone to your home to pick up cash or gold. Real agencies and banks do not collect money that way.
- They want payment in cryptocurrency, or tell you to use a Bitcoin machine. That money is very hard to get back.
- They tell you not to tell your family or your bank. That keeps you from getting help.
- They push you to send a wire transfer or Zelle payment. That money is very hard to get back.
- They contacted you, then ask for your Social Security, Medicare or bank numbers.
- They want you to use their link or their phone number. Look up the real website or number yourself.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
Protect Your Social Security Number
Someone pretending to be from Social Security or its Inspector General offers to "check" your records using your Social Security number. They may send you to a fake form or website. Then they use your number to steal your identity or claim benefits in your name.
A person pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the SSA Office of Inspector General (OIG) may offer to use your Social Security Number (SSN) to verify your employment records or address, or to check whether anyone has fraudulently applied for benefits in your name.
7 more quotes from this source
They may direct you to an online form or official-looking website.
Contact you unexpectedly to ask for personal information or bank account details.
Threaten to suspend your SSN or seize your bank account.
Tell you to transfer or move your money to protect it.
Ask you to keep secrets.
Don't share your SSN with anyone who contacts you first, no matter how routine the request sounds.
Never confirm or provide any personal information or payment to unexpected contacts— hang up.
Beware of Fake “Call Transfers” to Social Security or OIG
A caller says they are from a store, bank, or another agency and asks about a purchase you did not make. They then "transfer" you to a fake Social Security or OIG agent. That agent says your identity was stolen and pressures you to keep it secret, sign papers, or move money.
Scammers are impersonating well-known retailers, other government agencies, and even law enforcement — then falsely claiming to transfer your call directly to the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the SSA Office of Inspector General (OIG).
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The caller sent a lengthy document to sign, instructed the consumer not to discuss it with anyone, and promised a new Social Security number.
Legitimate companies and other agencies CANNOT transfer your phone call directly to SSA or OIG. If a call connects you to someone claiming to be from SSA or OIG, it is a scam, without exception, every time.
Claims that your Social Security number is suspended, compromised, or being reissued.
Requests for secrecy. SSA or OIG will never ask you to keep the call a secret!
Pressure to sign documents, move money, or act immediately.
Hang up immediately. Do not press any numbers or stay on the line to be transferred.
Contact SSA directly using phone numbers you find yourself, not those provided during the call.
New Wave of Imposter Scams: Criminals Using Real SSA Employee Names and Fake Badges
Scammers use the names of real Social Security workers and send fake badge photos to look real. They may reach you by phone, text, email, social media, or mail. They say there is a problem with your Social Security number or benefits and demand hard-to-trace payment.
Federal law enforcement agencies are warning the public about a surge in government imposter scams involving the misuse of real Social Security Administration (SSA) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) employee names, fabricated badge images, and fraudulent social media profiles.
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Scammers may reach out by phone, text, email, social media, or mail.
Claim there is a problem with your Social Security number, benefits, account, or identity.
Demand payment by gift cards, precious metals (gold bars), cryptocurrency, wire transfers, cash, or other payments that are hard to track.
Send photos of badges or credentials
Threaten arrest or legal action
Do not trust caller ID — scammers can spoof government numbers.
Verify independently using publicly listed agency contact information.
What Are Common Social Security Scams? A Guide for Older Adults
Scammers pretend to be Social Security or its inspector general. They send fake emails, say your number is frozen, claim you were overpaid, or even ask to meet in person to collect cash. NCOA lists what the real agency will never do.
In reality, SSA agents will never ask you to meet them in person to hand off cash.
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With this Social Security scam, an imposter pretending to be from SSA (or even the police) says your Social Security number (SSN) has been frozen due to alleged criminal activity.
They might also, to “reinstate” your SSN and benefits, request a payment in the form of gift cards or a money transfer (via a digital payment platform like Zelle®, CashApp, or Venmo).
This is why you can’t rely on names or Caller ID to verify something is legitimate.
To access your my Social Security account, always type “ssa.gov/myaccount” directly into your web browser.
If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail.
If someone claiming to be from Social Security asks you to send a payment this way, it’s a big red flag.
The Sneaky Social Security Scams Targeting Retirees in 2026 — And the One Rule That Keeps You Safe
Scammers pretend to be the Social Security Administration by phone, text, letter, or social media, often claiming the caller's Social Security number is suspended or linked to crime. The article explains that the real agency does not threaten arrest, demand immediate payment, or ask for secrecy, and it lists where to report these scams.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says that scammers will sometimes impersonate the SSA via a call, text, letter or message on social media.
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These criminals will typically pressure you to act in some way. For example, they may say your Social Security number was "suspended" due to criminal activity, and that you must pay immediately to restore benefits.
Keep in mind that the real SSA will never threaten you with legal action if you don’t immediately pay, say it needs money to activate a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or pressure you to share sensitive information.
If you get on a suspicious call, hang up immediately and do not call back phone numbers that the scammer provides; go straight to the SSA.
If there is a problem with a person's Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
Whitesboro Police warn of Social Security SCAM
The Whitesboro Police Department warned the public about a Social Security scam circulating locally by phone. The warning stresses that government agencies do not call or text to ask for personal information and never accept gift cards as payment.
The Whitesboro Police Department is reporting a new Social Security Scam has recently been circulating in the area.
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No government agency will ever contact you via telephone or text and request personal information.
The Whitesboro Police Department suggests you ‘SLAM the SCAM’ by hanging up the phone when you receive these types of communications.
They also would like to remember the public to NEVER send any type of gift cards to anyone who contacts you on the phone for any reason, no matter how believable the story may be.
Government agency accepts Amazon or Apple Gift Cards under any circumstances.