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Scammers are trying to get personal information from people by pretending to help with applications for disability benefits and claims. A recent alert from the Social Security Inspector General warns of this phishing scam, and — whether or not you’ve started an application for benefits — these scammers could contact you. They’re taking a shot in the dark, hoping that you have started an application, and hoping you’ll give them a little more info over the phone. To “complete the process,” they might ask you to give, or confirm, your Social Security number or bank account numbers.

If scammers get your information, you could face identity theft and benefit theft. So here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself:

  • Never give your Social Security number or account numbers to someone who calls you.
  • Don’t wire money or send money using a prepaid debit card. In fact, never pay someone who calls out of the blue.
  • If you have disability benefits, regularly check their status, and review your statements to make sure they’re right.

If you have questions about disability benefits, or get calls offering help with them, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. And read up on more ways to combat phishing and identity theft.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Monaangel
August 09, 2016

I am receiving numerous calls from foreign callers telling me they either represent Washington or Dept of Education and say my name and then tell me that I either have a grant free money coming or they need my info to send me Disability or Social Security money? ?.

I said get off my phone and refused to verify anything and was cussed out. I reported to Social Security and dept of education and The FBI. They told me to contact Federal trade commission. Here are some of those numbers they even called all week after I Had Surgery. 201-221-3300,11111111,561-557-0921, 207-420-8904,202-090-0100,773-312-3371.

I was told by the FBI not to bother changing my phone number because they obviously received my info somehow from the Internet. I do not feel safe.Every day for the last couple of days they called again. Do Something about This

momoftwig
August 11, 2016

In reply to by Monaangel

.You need to go to FTC.gov/complaint and make a formal complaint. Posting a comment here does no good, since this is simply a blog!
Angry
November 03, 2016
936-536-5958 this guy calls almost every week. Saying he is with Social Security something and this is a recorded call..I say "I'm not interested in filing for disability & that yall call me & as soon as I say I'm not interested yall hang up" then he hangs up....also called 944-647-0998.k
ST3 Telkom Pur…
December 11, 2016
Very Interesting
Dalane
April 21, 2017
I've had three calls TODAY! Two from the same company.
Kitkat
May 17, 2017
Warning:925-326-1766 This phone number keeps texting me about Social security disability ..they are scammers..please do not text them or call them back..I certainly hope that they will be procecuted for harassing innocent victims!!!
Grinch 67
May 30, 2017
Jack from National Disability called... 781-599-22210 is what came up on caller ID. I told him never to call me again.
Fed up
June 08, 2017
They call me repeatedly. They just called me 4 times in a row. I called back, but I get a message that according to my phone number i do not qualify for benefits. This is total harassment. I have registered with the Do Not Call registry and followed the instructions when calling their number to have them stop calling me. They still keep calling. The number is 6264950664. I have texted them to express my anger and the calls have increased. I blocked the numbers, they still manage to get through.
Daisy56
June 08, 2017
I have been receiving phone calls from 714-477-0942, 714-477-0974, 714-477-0964, several times a day for about a week, when I call back there is a recording saying thank you for calling National Disability. I haven't applied for disability. I am not answering when they call.
Warning FRAUD …
July 06, 2017
714-477-0964 calls 3 times DAILY, never leaves message, never responds to "stop calling" requests. FRAUD WARNING! They pose as National Disability, DO NOT give them your info
leahanaujoks
July 17, 2017

In reply to by Warning FRAUD …

I am getting these same calls from those #'s. This guy Joe won't stop but I have blocked all of the #'s
kdw
July 24, 2017
Received a call from 213-347-7315 needed information to help fill out my SSDI claim? I am not filing any such claim and told them repeatedly. Asked did you get hurt at work? Do you need help with application? Let me get some information and we will start this application. I said, I DID NOT/AND AM NOT FILING FOR ANY SSDI, I WILL NOT GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION. He then stated then your case will continue to be denied.. I just hung up on him.
Joe from natio…
August 25, 2017
Been constantly receiving calls from a robo scam and its name is Joe. Joe tells you your being recorded and calls from various area codes. Claims to be a live agent. Do not fall into this scam!
Mjbearit
November 07, 2017

In reply to by Joe from natio…

I get calls from good old Joe every day. I have an app on my phone that easily allows me to block these type calls, so I block them, then they call back from another number, sometimes another area code as well. Just part of my day.
jazzy83
August 28, 2017
this company calls using multiple phone #'s that show on caller ID. I called and spoke to someone who said I recently applied for SSI, not true. I tried to ask about being removed from list he quickly and ignorantly hung up. The company answers national disability..SCAMMERS
brenda
September 01, 2017
The weard part of it all is . I was on the social security site and how do these people get on the government sites.
kittykat
September 20, 2017
How are the scammers getting information that someone is or has filed for disability? SSA doesn't give that info to anyone unless they are using one of those attorneys that take on their claim.
FTC Staff
September 25, 2017

In reply to by kittykat

The scammers don't really know if the person they call has filed for disability. The scammers call lots of people, and sometimes they reach a person who really has filed for disability.

Aries
April 23, 2019

In reply to by kittykat

My SSD info got out by my applying for a Credit Card and had to disclose my source of income. Now I get calls from National Disability calling from 775-909-4719, 775-316-9950, 775-316-4950. These are just the local numbers. I have many out of state numbers too. They call everyday, several times a day. The first thing they might ask is if you can hear them okay. DO NOT Answer Yes. They record your yes then can use that recording to say you gave the okay for them to charge you for services. They always say they want to talk to me about my free SSD benefits. Those benefits aren't free, I paid into them my entire working life. They then say they can qualify me for more free benefits. GIVE THEM NO INFO. Don't post your disabled on any of your social Profiles like Facebook or Instagram. Never mention to anyone you filed for SSD. They will find you.
M.hood
October 17, 2017
They was trying to ask my ? an they told me i tryed to file for disablty a couple years back an said that wen i turned 50 i could get on it they gave me a # 1-877-977-1330
FTC Staff
October 19, 2017

In reply to by M.hood

If a stranger calls and asks for personal information, please don't tell them. They could be scammers who want to steal your information for identity theft.

To get help with disability benefits, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

Old lady
November 07, 2017
Joe has called for 2 years now wanting to know if I am off work because of a disability. He calls 2 or 3 times a week. I have not replied, pressed 9 to get taken off the list, turned him in to law enforcement and nothing gets me off his list. It is a recording everytime and the same questions. He calls from Perry, Oklahoma.
Ttsmghee
November 09, 2017
I don't believe this is random. I assisted my daughter with her disability application and used my phone number. Weeks after filing the application we received a call from this number on my phone and the caller asked for my daughter. This cannot be a coincidence.
trainman
December 14, 2017
yep National Disibility has been calling me every day . asking the same questions.
Joan
December 20, 2017
I have been getting a multitude of calls. I answered one this morning and a woman with an accent asked for me by first name only and tried to affirm," you are receiving ss disability currently, right? I asked,"who is this? She said," national disability" i asked," that is your company name?" And what is your name? She hung up on me. However, I am getting excessive calls and 90% are illegitimate! Also, they plug in local area codes and numbers. When you manually dial them back, it is not a working number. They are out of control and call constantly. Who do we report when they makeup false names and numbers that appear on the caller I'd? Apparently, they are getting some sort of info on people because they seem to know if you receive disability or are trying to apply etc. That is scary and totally out of line:(
Annoyed
January 03, 2018
National Disability has been calling me from this number (951)266-5750 for days now. 12 times TODAY!!! This number is provided by Peerless Network. How are either of these companies not being closed down for harassment??? :(
tlea
January 11, 2018
ive had national disabuility call my phone 26 times today, people, GET A JOBN
theskov
January 17, 2018
hey just got a text in which the header says dm3. iaddurl. co I looked up .co and its out of colombia claim they can help me get disability faster by helping me with the claim process up to $2,640/mo so they are taking a new route be careful I deleted this text but looked up scams and decided to tell people about it ASAP good luck and think twice
s freebird
January 30, 2018
Getting phone calls from 253 244 3095 they say they are called national disability. They keep calling me. I told them I get disability already. they hang up and a few days later call back. When I called to complain to a supervisor Amy hung up on me. I have asked to be removed from their list a list I did not put my name and number on since I have been on disibility for a couple of years. This company needs to get shut down it is not a true company that helps you get it. They are trying to get your information
Anonymous
January 31, 2018
This number calls DAILY!!! SCAM ALERT!!! 815-272-2221 If I call from my work phone it says "this number is disconnected", if I call from my phone it states "Thank you for calling National Disability"
kkainins
February 16, 2018

Im working and haven't filed any disability..NEVER!!! How do I block these numbers? (832)271-7562, (832)241-8209; (832)241-8135

Rob
February 13, 2018
Just received a call from 202-866-7987 (Social Security) asking if I was the person looking for help with my SS claim and they were on a recorded line. Needed more information about my claim, but first needed information from me. They said that they had received a call from my number when I asked who called, she stated that she did not have that information when I asked where they were calling from, she stated Clear Water Flordia, when I asked for their website, she hung up.
Annoyed
February 26, 2018
3042441005 another number they are using to call
Car vis
February 27, 2018
1-412-313-0822 I received a total of 12 calls in a single day from this number. 7 of which were within a 35 minute periods. I then blocked the number from my phone and somehow after a couple of hour they were able to call an additional 5 times. When I called the number back they answer " National disability, please hold for the next representative " after about 10 minutes of holding you get disconnected. Scam, scam, scam. Shame on them.
Jkrocky1
March 13, 2018
THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM !!!! I AM GETTING UP TO15 CALLS A DAY AND NIGHT. I CALLED THEM GAVE THEM NO INFO AND TOLD THEM THEY ARE SCAMMERS AND STOP CALLING ME !
Purplemaize
March 15, 2018
I reported National Disability to Social Security a few weeks ago, I got tired of people telling me I qualify for disability when I already have it. I get phone calls from 6 am till 9 pm, 7 days a week on my cell phone. I have blocked every single number, even have my name on the do not call list. I am about to sue this firm for getting on my nerves, and I need my phone for emergency's
Flora
April 02, 2018
I live in Florida but have a Michigan cell phone number. I got a call today from a woman at 734-656-1516 (Michigan area code) supposedly from Social Security Disability Administration about my recent application for disability. I said not me and hung up.
Ponyboy722
May 04, 2018
949 200- 8218 They keep calling!! Scammers!!
vermonter
May 21, 2018
getting these calls daily 2-4 times from various numbers around the state.
Sammyfish
May 24, 2018
I recently filed for state disability/maternity leave benefits. I filed my application online JUST yesterday. Today I get a call from a blocked number and woman saying shes with United Processing, and shes a process server for the courts. She’s calling me as a favor, as someone is trying to have me served with lawsuit papers. She said she knew nothing of the contents of the envelope, but that there is a case number and phone number to call from the company filing this lawsuit. If I call them I can get more information. I’m not stupid so I porceeded to grill her with questions, such as what city is she in. Where is the courthouse. Where is HER office. What color is the outside of the building she works in, etc, etc. (I know process servers do not outright call people they’re supposed to server and gone then a “heads up”, yet have no other information as to what’s inside the sealed envelope, but proceed! to give me a case number.) Long story short, all her info was wrong, she wasn’t in the city she said she was, I hadn’t lived in that actual city in over a decade, etc. I searched the online court portal for filings against me.. nothing! I googled the phone number she gave me to call 855-909-9380. It comes back as a company outside of the US that provides assistance in filing disability benefits. Now I’m concerned, as during the course of my conversation with this “process server”, she did want to make sure they had the right person, so she confirmed the last four digits of my SS#. I said no, that’s my phone number, then she confirmed the correct digits. As far as I know they only have the last four, and she tried to get me to confirm the rest. My thought is they must be using a keylogger spyware of some sort, and must have obtained it when my Dr entered the info on his office computer. Should I be concerned about this??? WHAT DO I DO???
antzuzu
June 13, 2018
phone # 2029690523 said she was calling about social security disability... AGAIN!!
Mander-MtPleasant
June 14, 2018
I just got a call from this place from a local area code 262-222-6027, but did not give out my personal info. Scary how easy that would be if I had just filed for SS (which I hadn't).
Doc in Texas
June 14, 2018
National Disabilities spoofs local area code to appear local. Blocking their number may or may not work but do it. They will call and bug you to death.
littblond
June 26, 2018
716-271-5890 and 716-271-3738 "AMY " always answer the phone. she will just laugh and hang up on you..
MDBG
July 03, 2018
Got a call from this number today: 919-221-6031. Asking for my husband, foreign accent and loud call center background noise. They were saying they're from National Disability and wanted to know if he was disabled. I told them he wasn't and not to call again.
Deb
July 18, 2018
National Disability called from 253-243-0531 to my number in Western WA State. Trying to get my personal info to "help" me sign up for SSI... Asked to be removed from call list.
Americ
July 18, 2018
A rep from National Security called me and I told them it was not a good time to talk but if they would call me back the next day about the same time, I would be in my lawyers office and we could take the call together. That was a week ago and I haven't been called back for some reason. :)
bahama
July 25, 2018
716-271-5890 Called this morning but I have spam blocker. Researched and found this comment. Glad to have passed the call. Guess they are still working on disability problems despite FTC action.