By Warren Beck | Social Security District Manager in Syracuse
Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, do not respond.
We will NEVER:
• Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
• Suspend your Social Security number.
• Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
• Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
• Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information.
• We only send text messages in limited situations, including:
• 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 owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig.ssa.gov/report. You can find more information about scams at www.ssa.gov/scam.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.
Q&A
Q.: I recently retired and am approaching the age when I can start receiving Medicare. What is the monthly premium for Medicare Part B?
A.: In 2025, the standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance is $185.00 per month. Some people with higher incomes must pay higher monthly premiums for their Medicare coverage. You can get details at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Q.: Do we have to withhold Social Security taxes from our housekeeper’s earnings?
A.: It depends on how much you’re paying the housekeeper. If you pay a housekeeper or other household worker $2,800 or more in cash wages throughout the year, you must deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes. This holds true for a cleaning person, cook, gardener, babysitter, or anyone else who provides services for you. In addition, you must report these wages once a year. There are exceptions, for example, when you are hiring a company or independent contractor and paying them a fee for services instead of wages to a person. You can learn more about household workers and tax deductions by reading our publication, Household Workers at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10021.pdf.
Q.: Can I get both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security benefits based on my disability?
A.: Many people eligible for Social Security disability benefits also may be eligible for SSI. The disability decision for one program is the same as it is for the other, but you must meet additional resource and income limits to be eligible for SSI. Learn all about SSI and whether or not you may be eligible by reading the publication, “You May Be Able to Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)” at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11069.pdf.
Q.: What can I do at www.ssa.gov?
A.: There are many things you can do on Social Security’s website — you can find a list at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices. You can get an estimate of future benefits, find out when you are eligible for benefits, and even apply for benefits. You can complete other tasks online, too, including requesting a replacement Social Security card in most states. If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can get an estimate of your personal retirement benefits and see the effects of different ages to begin receiving retirement benefits. If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. You can create an account if you are at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have a valid email address and Social Security number.