Social Security Scam Calls: How to Spot Impersonation Fraud and Report It

If someone calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the IRS threatening arrest, demanding immediate payment, or asking for your Social Security number, hang up. The real SSA and IRS never call to threaten you or request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Report the call immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) at 1-800-269-0271 or oig.ssa.gov/report. Use the steps below to act quickly and protect your identity.

Spot the Red Flags: Signs of an Impersonation Scam

Scammers use caller ID spoofing to make it look like the SSA or IRS is calling. They may already have personal details from data breaches. Look for these warning signs:

• The caller says your Social Security number is suspended or linked to a crime.
• They threaten arrest, deportation, or loss of benefits if you don’t pay immediately.
• They demand payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards (e.g., iTunes, Amazon), wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• They ask you to confirm your SSN or bank account number “for verification.”
• The call is aggressive, uses official-sounding titles, or gives you a case number.

If you spot any of these, you are dealing with a scam. According to the FTC, government impersonation scams are one of the most reported fraud types nationwide, with median losses around $1,000 per victim.

Your Action Plan: What to Do Right Now

Follow this five-step action plan. Check off each item as you complete it. If you already shared your Social Security number or sent money, skip to the “What If You Already Shared Personal Information?” section below — that’s your escalation path.

Quick Action Checklist

• [ ] Hung up? Did you end the call without engaging further? If yes, proceed.
• [ ] Did not share personal info? If you shared your Social Security number, financial account details, or passwords, move to the escalation section.
• [ ] Did not pay? If you already sent money, contact your bank or card issuer immediately and file a report with local law enforcement.
• [ ] Reported to FTC? File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (takes about 10 minutes).
• [ ] Reported to SSA OIG? Submit a report online at oig.ssa.gov/report or call 1-800-269-0271.

Ordered Steps

1. Hang up immediately. Do not press any numbers, and do not call back the number shown on your caller ID.

2. Do not click links or open attachments in any follow-up text or email. Scammers often send phishing messages after a phone call.

3. Report to the FTC using the details in the table below.

4. Report to the SSA OIG (see next section for full contact info).

5. Monitor your accounts. Check your my Social Security account (ssa.gov/myaccount) for any suspicious changes, and review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.

When to Escalate

• You gave out your SSN. Skip to “What If You Already Shared Personal Information?” — you need to freeze your credit and contact the SSA directly.
• You sent money. Call your bank or card issuer immediately (wire transfers and gift card payments are often irreversible within hours). Then file a police report.
• You are still on the call. The only safe action is to hang up. Do not negotiate. Do not call back the spoofed number.

Reporting Contacts at a Glance

Agency	How to Report	Details
FTC	Online: ReportFraud.ftc.gov Phone: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)	Choose “Imposter Scams” then “Government Imposter.” You can report anonymously.
SSA OIG	Online: oig.ssa.gov/report Phone: 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101) Mail: P.O. Box 17785, Baltimore, MD 21235	Hotline hours: Mon–Fri, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
TIGTA (if IRS impersonation)	Online: tigta.gov Phone: 1-800-366-4484 Email phishing reports to: [email protected]	For calls claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never demand immediate payment by phone.

What to Include in Your Report

When you file a report with the FTC or SSA OIG, provide as many of these details as you can:

• Date and time of the call
• Phone number that appeared on your caller ID (even if it looks like a legitimate SSA or IRS number)
• What the caller said, including any threats or demands
• Any names, badge numbers, or case numbers they used
• The type of payment they requested (gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency)

Save the complaint number the FTC gives you after you submit.

What If You Already Shared Personal Information?

This is the key decision point that changes your next steps. Your action depends on what you already revealed.

You Shared Your Social Security Number

• Freeze your credit immediately with all three major bureaus: Equifax (1-800-349-9960), Experian (1-888-397-3742), and TransUnion (1-888-909-8872). A freeze is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
• Place a fraud alert on your SSA record. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office. Ask them to add a “fraud indicator” to your number.
• Set up a my Social Security account if you don’t already have one (ssa.gov/myaccount). This blocks anyone else from creating an account in your name. If you already have one, change your password and enable two-factor authentication.
• Monitor your earnings record annually by reviewing your Social Security Statement online.

You Already Sent Money

• Contact your bank, credit union, or card issuer immediately to stop the payment or dispute the charge. Time is critical – wire transfers and gift card payments are often irreversible within hours.
• File a report with your local police department. Get a case number; you may need it when disputing with financial institutions.
• Report the loss to the FTC and SSA OIG as described above.

Success Check: You’re Done

If you have hung up, reported the call, frozen your credit (if needed), and monitored your accounts, you have done everything you can. You are now protected from further harm using these specific measures.

How to Verify a Legitimate SSA or IRS Call

Legitimate SSA employees may call you in limited situations (e.g., if you have a pending application or need to schedule a hearing). If you’re unsure, use these verification steps:

• Do not use the phone number the caller gave you. Look up the official number yourself. For SSA, call 1-800-772-1213. For IRS, call 1-800-829-1040.
• Log into your my Social Security account (ssa.gov/myaccount). Any official correspondence will be reflected there.
• If the caller claims you owe money to the IRS, check your IRS account online at irs.gov/account. If there is no balance due, it’s a scam.

FAQ

Should I report a voicemail even if I didn’t answer?

Yes. Report the voicemail to the FTC and SSA OIG even if you didn’t answer. Scammers often leave threatening messages to scare you into calling back.

What if I accidentally called the scammer back?

Hang up immediately if you reach a person. Do not provide any information. Report the incident as a “callback scam” to the FTC.

Can the SSA help me get my money back?

No. The SSA cannot recover money you sent voluntarily. You must contact your financial institution and file a police report.

How long after reporting will I hear back?

The FTC and SSA OIG typically do not contact you after you file a report unless they need additional information. They use aggregate data to identify trends and build cases.

Will reporting stop the calls?

Reporting helps law enforcement pursue the scammers, but you may still receive calls from other numbers. Using call-blocking apps and registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry (DoNotCall.gov) may reduce the number of unwanted calls, but no solution is guaranteed.

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This article provides general guidance for reporting Social Security and IRS impersonation scams. It is not legal advice. For official details, visit ssa.gov, irs.gov, or ftc.gov. Benefit amounts, thresholds, and policies are subject to change. Check ssa.gov for the most current information.