8009979540 (2024)

FAQs

Does SSA ever contact you by phone? ›

Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. If there is a problem with your Social Security number or record, we will typically mail you a letter. Generally, we will call you if you: Have recently applied for a Social Security benefit.

Currently, Social Security sends emails from no-reply@ssa.gov, subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov, ThankYou@ssa.gov, DoNotReply@ssa.gov, and echosign.com. In a few instances, we use marketing firms to raise awareness of Social Security's online services, and this includes creating a my Social Security account.

An invalid SSN is one that the SSA never assigned. A valid SSN will never look like this: The first three digits are “000,” “666,” or in the 900 series. The second group consists of “00” as the two digits.

THE TACTIC: A scammer tells you that your Social Security number is suspended and they need your personal information to reactivate it. WHY YOU SHOULD HANG UP: The government doesn't suspend Social Security numbers. Fraudsters are after personal information to steal your identity.

One way to check if a number is potentially a scam is to use a reverse phone number lookup service. These websites and apps allow you to enter a number and see public information associated with it, such as the registered name, location, and carrier.

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement. You can get a copy by calling 1-800-772-1213, or online at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.pdf.

Request Online SSN Verification. The SSN Verification web page enables you to submit up to 10 names and SSNs for verification and obtain immediate results. There is no limit to the number of times the SSN Verification web page may be used within a session.

How do I check if my SSN is suspended? ›

Keep an eye on your credit score

Unexpected changes in your credit score could indicate unauthorized activity using your Social Security number. Most banks and credit card companies these days offer you your credit score as an added perk of doing business with them.

We only send text messages if you have opted in to receive texts from us and only in limited situations, including the following: When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text. As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

If you want to verify your identity with Social Security, you will be required to provide a US driver's license, US passport, state-issued ID, and US military ID. For age verification, you may be required to provide your birth certificate, US passport, or a US hospital record of your date of birth.

(800) 772-1213

Social Security Administration / Customer service

Customer Service Representatives

Work in our local offices, program service centers, and National 800 Number centers to gather facts and evidence to determine if someone is eligible for benefits. Help the public by answering a wide variety of questions both in-person and by telephone.