Social Security officials need your help to help you.

They have launched an online service at https://oig.ssa.gov to receive complaints of Social Security-related scams.

These scams – in which fraudulent callers mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for purported Social Security problems – have skyrocketed over the past year.

It has become the #1 type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration.

To combat these scams, Social Security is using the new online form to capture data that will be analyzed for trends and commonalities. They will use the data to identify criminals participating in the scams.

The phone scams include robocalls and live callers, as well as email, text, and in-person scams.

The form allows you to create a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you are contacted about your report, you will know their call is legitimate.

Social Security will not:

• Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended.

• Contact you to demand an immediate payment.

• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card, or cash.

• Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.

• Promise a benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.