--- title: Social Security Scam Alert description: A fraud alert for our clients and readers regarding a widespread scam using the Social Security Administration as an attempt to gather personal information image: https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/hubfs/social%20security%20identity%20theft%20iStock-484713320.jpeg --- [![](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/artifex%20logo%20color%20copy.jpg?width=300&height=106&name=artifex%20logo%20color%20copy.jpg)](http://www.artifexfinancial.com) - [Home](http://www.artifexfinancial.com) - Personal Services - [Financial Planning](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/personal-financial-planning/-2-0) - [Wealth Management](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/wealth-management/-02) - [Business Services](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/biz-services) - [ESG / Impact](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/esg) - [About Us](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/about-us/-02) - [Doug Kinsey](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/dougkinsey2) - [Darren Harp](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/darrenharp2) - [Gerald Summers](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/jerrysummers2) - [Kevin O'Connor](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/kevinoconnor2) - [Alexander Browning](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/alexanderbrowning) - [Elizabeth Raby-Salinas](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/elizabethraby-salinas) - [Jansen Davidson](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/jansendavidson) - [Blog](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com) - [Contact](http://www.artifexfinancial.com/contact/) # Social Security Scam Alert Posted by Doug Kinsey - 14 May, 2021 - - - - - [mailto:?&subject=https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/social-security-scam-alert&body=https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/social-security-scam-alert](mailto:?&subject=https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/social-security-scam-alert&body=https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/social-security-scam-alert) ![header-picture](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/woman-notebook-working-girl.png "header-picture") ### Social Security Scam Alert I just received a suspicious call from a local number to my mobile phone.  I suspected it was fraud, so immediately checked the Social Security Administration website for details.  As expected, this is a scam attempt and is apparently a widespread problem. In an abundance of caution, I thought it would be helpful to our clients and readers to be aware of this and to put your minds at ease.  If you get one of these calls, just hang up.  The Social Security Administration does not make outgoing calls to clients unless you have initiated a conversation with them first.  here are the details on this particular scam from the SSA:     ![Screen Shot 2021-05-14 at 3.37.20 PM](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202021-05-14%20at%203.37.20%20PM.png?width=690&name=Screen%20Shot%202021-05-14%20at%203.37.20%20PM.png) Phone Scam Alert  Scammer message: "Department of the Social Security Administration. The reason for this call is to inform you that your Social Security number has been suspended for suspicion of illegal activity. If you do not contact us immediately, your account will be deactivated. For more information about this case file, press 1 or call immediately our department number XXX-XXX-XXXX." This is a scam! Thieves are misusing the Social Security Administration’s authority in phone schemes to trick you into giving them money or personal information. They state there is a problem with your Social Security number or account. They claim there has been suspicious or fraudulent activity and you could be arrested or face other legal action. They even spoof SSA’s main customer-service telephone number on caller ID. Don’t believe them. Don’t provide any information. SSA employees will never threaten you for information or promise benefits in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent. Just hang up. If you suspect you’ve been contacted by an SSA scammer call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.  Here are some additional tips from SSA.gov: ![Screen Shot 2021-05-14 at 3.46.56 PM](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202021-05-14%20at%203.46.56%20PM.png?width=1416&name=Screen%20Shot%202021-05-14%20at%203.46.56%20PM.png)   --- I hope you find this information useful. Best regards, --Doug Kinsey, CFP®, CIMA® Partner, Artifex Financial Group     Topics: [social security](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/topic/social-security), [scam](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/topic/scam), [fraud](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/topic/fraud) --- ### Recent Posts By Doug Kinsey - 14 May, 2021 #### Don't Get Hooked: A Guide to Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/dont-get-hooked-a-guide-to-recognizing-and-avoiding-phishing) By Doug Kinsey - 14 May, 2021 #### What's Going On With The Banks? [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/whats-going-on-with-the-banks) By Doug Kinsey - 14 May, 2021 #### Monthly Economic Update [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://blog.artifexfinancial.com/monthly-economic-update) --- ## Welcome to the Artifex Intelliplan Blog ### Commentary on the world of finance, and other things We at Artifex believe in enhancing the wisdom of our clients and readers.  While most of our topics will be related to investments, personal finance, and the economy, we also endeavor to include thought-provoking commentary on topics that will help you expand your "mental models", as referred to by Charlie Munger and Warren Buffet. We want you to learn from us and others how to think logically and see the world through an informed lens. 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