Beware of Scams During this Holiday Season

We continue to receive reports about scam phone calls and emails from people claiming to be Social Security employees. Don’t fall for it. Those calls and emails are from scammers trying to trick you into providing personal information or money, and often threaten their victims with arrest. This holiday season, we ask that you remain extra vigilant of these fraud tactics.

While our employees are conducting most business by phone due to the pandemic, we want to remind you that our employees will never:

• Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
• Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended.
• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
• Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
• Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
• Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

If you owe money to Social Security, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.

If you receive a suspicious call or email, or you’re unsure of the identity of someone who claims to be from Social Security:

• Hang up immediately or delete the email.
• Do not give money or personal information.
• Report the scam to our Office of the Inspector General.

Please share this message with your family and friends — because scammers never take a holiday break.