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We’ve seen a new twist on the Social Security Administration (SSA) scam recently. Check out this SSA imposter robocall, which says your benefits will end. (That’s not true, by the way.)
If you get a call like this, do not press 1. Instead, just hang up and remember:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended.
  • The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your benefits.
  • The real SSA will never tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on a gift card.

The Social Security Administration scam is the number one scam reported to the FTC right now. People filed nearly 73,000 reports about Social Security imposters in the first six months of 2019, with reported losses of $17 million. (You can explore the data about imposter scams and losses at ftc.gov/exploredata.)

So if you’re getting these calls, you’re not alone. Tell your friends and neighbors about this scam. Tell them to hang up the phone. And then to report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

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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.

Ponypower
September 17, 2019
An Indian sounding man called me today while I was driving said he was officer so and do working on a criminal case against my social security number. I said I’m driving and can’t write anything down. Chats this about? He asked my name I told him. He asked my social security number I told him. Then he asked my birthday and I didn’t tell him and asked him to leave me a voicemail with his information. THEN I realized omg!!!! I’m so gullible! Now what?
Deanna
October 03, 2019

In reply to by Ponypower

One of the most important things you can do is to contact the credit bureaus and place a freeze. When a freeze is placed no new accounts can be opened in your name.
Mr. M. Warshaw
September 17, 2019
800 818 5057 Officer Ryan Smith (with a very foreign accent) asked my name and claimed my benefits were being suspended. Unfortunately when I pressed Officer Smith for information about his employer and how my name and number was discovered he hung up on me. Social Security Officers, please contact the 800 number and fully prosecute these scammers for trying to take advantage of our nations elderly!
cy
September 17, 2019
I received three calls today (9/17) playing a recording that claimed my SSN had been suspended and that there was a warrant for my arrest. The numbers are: 254.324.0879 254.400.1364 254.028.7184
Daisy
September 17, 2019
I was so lucky today that I got two identical calls telling me my SS number was in grave danger and was being discontinued as it was involved in fraudulent activities all over the United States. Also was given a number to call which I did not do.
TAG
September 17, 2019
Got a call from someone saying there is someone using my SSN for illegal purposes to call them back @ (253) 693-2685 (don't call this number i did not) I wanted to report it so if there is someone that can check this number and get the scammer's slammed into jail so that they wont get like some elderly would be great.
CJM
September 18, 2019
I have been getting these calls for several months now; every time I block the number there is always a different number that is used. Because I was informed about how Social Security does (and doesn't) contact you, I knew the calls were scams. As long as you hang up, you're okay; don't be afraid!
Richard
September 18, 2019
I received the same scam robocall from seven different numbers in the same day, reported all of them. They keep calling from different number each time. The question is, what is being done to STOP this?
Roma
September 18, 2019
Just received 2 phone calls this week stating there is a warrant out for me Phone number is : 254-693-2672 -Texas
enramos
September 18, 2019
I received a call from 888.508.2064 on September 17. It was the voicemail scam message stating my SS benefits will be cancelled permanently. Please do not answer or press any promptings.
lld
September 18, 2019
I've received 3 calls from a "209" area code regarding my social security card being suspended . I did press "1" and questioned the operator about how my card was going to affected (knowing all along this was a scam). I was hung up on as soon as I called her out.
jabenergy
September 19, 2019
I have received two calls, it said from the Social Security adm. asking me to call them @ 701-765-8133! I did not call the number as I know S.S.I. will send a home mail to ones house!
Countrygirl
September 18, 2019
i just got a call from 213 297 7380 saying my ss number was involved in a fraud action. i needed to call them back before action was taken.
Laura
September 18, 2019
Got this voicemail this morning from (989) 898-9223. Called it back just to see who was on the other man and a gentleman answered "Social Security Administration." When I asked if it was a scam he became irate and hung up on me.
Melissa
September 18, 2019
I received a phone call from "Social security office" the phone number is 573-367-0638
Brokesville
September 18, 2019
scammer called yesterday, who is investigating this bs? why have they not been caught?
Suzanne
September 18, 2019
3 calls in one day saying this is Sargent so and so. Social Security # was used in Texas 1-832-573-0580
peppermint patty
September 18, 2019
Received at a call on my cell phone and place of business, from 1-410-927-3508 with this robo call. When i called back they answered as Social Security.
JG
October 16, 2019

In reply to by peppermint patty

I got the same, also from a 410 number. Automated call, call center if you call back, right? I demanded evidence that they were the real SSA and the guy hung up. Got another call less than an hour later, same thing, now the number is busy if I try to call, so I think they've blocked me.
Mary R.
September 18, 2019
Mary R. I am a 86 year old widow of a WWII hero of mine and I get these regularly, I never answer my phone unless i see who is calling, but it goes to voice mail. This along with college loan payments threats of arrest. I am so glad I am closer to the end than the beginning. This is a country I no longer recognize.
Foxygrandma
September 18, 2019
I have received numerous calls allegedly from Social Security from the following numbers: (206) 294-4992; (512) 173-1542; (800) 153-1492; (816) 930-5522 and (936) 229-3795. All of these left voicemails to call them back, that my Social Security number had been suspended and/or I would be arrested. Of course, I never called any of them back. I have simply saved them all for FTC.
Anti-Robocallers
September 18, 2019
They called me with this number: ‭+1 (209) 121-4130‬
rformaneck
September 18, 2019
received a SSA phone call from this number 1-800-984-7692 wanted my last four digits of SSN i didn't comply
Wbl 1
September 18, 2019
I just received a call from 8443166095. It announces it is a call from the social security administration. It advises your social security number can no longer be used due to fraudulent activity and asked you to press 1 if you want to discuss this matter. I did simultaneously checking for fraud. The automated system changed to a poor English/Brittish accent advising again it was the social security administration and asked you to hold. Then it hangs up.
Anonymous
September 19, 2019
Got call today from #888-616- 2853. Robocall . A warrant Officer stating SSI will be suspended due to fraudulent activity detected. Just hang up.. Sounds like a scam
Kate
September 19, 2019
I am a senior citizen and I have recently received calls informing me that my Social Security benefits will be cancelled. The numbers associated with these calls are 1 888 150 6320 and I have been told to call 1 888 169 7398 to straighten it out. I no longer take these calls. I hang up immediately and do not respond to their voice messages.
wfdoldeguy
September 19, 2019
Received call today from 'Social Security Office', stating my benefits were being suspended. Phone number (910) 844-0421.
JannyJan
September 19, 2019
I’ve gotten a few of these calls for my hubby on my cell. I tell them I’m not him and I hang up! Lol! They’ll never WIN!!!!
Rocky
September 19, 2019
Received a call from 968 648 0804 today Wednesday, 9/19/2019. An automated voice told me that my SS number was being used in a fraudulent manner. I should press 1 to speak to an SSA agent about this problem. I just hung up and blocked the number. The area code is for the country of Oman or US number is some place in Kansas.
dg
September 19, 2019
if so many people are receiving these calls why isn't the FTC doing anything about it? What's the point of filing a complaint if nothing is being done to stop these idiots?
Ahmed
September 19, 2019
Same story getting these calls almost daily
Don't uSpotse …
September 20, 2019
What is the FTC doing about this crime??? Telling me to hang up is not enough.
bistrowolf
September 20, 2019
call today from 617-329- 9311 social security scam
c
September 20, 2019
Just received that call from 1-800-863-3898
M.K.
September 20, 2019
I started to get a voice mails and recorded cell phones on 9/20/2019 that my SSN will be blocked or my SSN was used in Texas. Calls are from 800-542-5008; 915-194-4102 I never talked back them but the messages insist to press 1 in order to contact their Social security officer.
whenpiqsfly
September 20, 2019
3 calls in 4 days, all different 800 numbers. If you press 1 you are connected immediately w/ a person who says "social security administration, how can i help you?" The person has almost no accent, leading me to think they are based in the US.
str467901
September 20, 2019
I kept getting the same random call too, I pressed one today and messed with the officer. He claimed I was accused of committing a crime, and wanted me to verify my last 4 digits. I was like "Sir, you're the ones who keep calling me, shouldn't you have that information? I'm reporting you to law enforcement." Then he said "Ok, well have a good day" and hung up.
dncngmom
September 21, 2019
11 calls in two hours
CA - Region
September 21, 2019
I was contacted. The foreigner on the phone called me back 12 times, the last two times they intercepted my contact list and left voicemails from my boyfriend's cell phone number that were pornographic in nature and threatening. The call actually came through as my boyfriend's cell phone number but it was not. Very concerning how they hacked my phone after the typical SS Scam scare. Whoever these call center people are - it is clear they are sitting in a large call center atmosphere and have hacking capability.
Ga girl
September 23, 2019
I just received two calls saying my ss has been locked and there is a warrant out for arrest for the person who stole my number. The number is 707-354-0615.
Mad At Scams
September 23, 2019
I. recived a call from 410866158 saying there. a law suit aganist me and a arrest warnnert was issued
Caroline
September 23, 2019
I got a different spin on this. She wanted to help me to start receiving my Social Security payments. I am so sure this is a scam, I've never requested any such assistance. And she was speaking very poor English.
Joanne
September 23, 2019
I've been getting a call everyday from this number 416-700-1653 on my cell phone.
nick
September 23, 2019
got ssn scam from 800 - 226 - 3113
Nacho Verde
September 23, 2019
Been getting this call every day now for a week (Sept 2019)
Al
September 23, 2019
8007945492 new number on that list
tired of scam calls
September 23, 2019
got the scam call today from (800) 911-2447‬ with SSA scam
gettoprashant
September 24, 2019
Today I got call from number 226-477-0160 with same message.
mfarmer
September 24, 2019
Do they eventually stop calling when you don't answer? How do I keep these scammers from calling?
JG
October 16, 2019

In reply to by mfarmer

Demanding proof they're the SSA or stating you don't believe the charges seems to have worked for me.
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