Consumer Alert
This is what a Social Security scam sounds like
Earlier this month, we told you about a growing scam: people pretend to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and try to get your Social Security number or your money. That scam is now growing exponentially. To compare: in 2017, we heard from 3,200 people about SSA imposter scams, and those people reported losing nearly $210,000. So far THIS year: more than 35,000 people have reported the scam, and they tell us they’ve lost $10 million.
Here’s what one of those scam calls sound like:
Scammers are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. Sometimes, he’ll say your bank account is about to be seized – but he’ll tell you what to do to keep it safe. (Often, that involves putting your money on gift cards and giving him the codes – which, of course, means that your money is gone.)
Oh, and your caller ID often shows the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) when these scammers call – but they’re faking that number. It’s not the real SSA calling.
Here's what to know:
- Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. You don’t have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
- SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.
- The real SSA number is 1-800-772-1213, but scammers are putting that number in the caller ID. If you’re worried about what the caller says, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA. Even if the wait time is long, confirm with the real SSA before responding to one of these calls.
- Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.
If you get one of these calls, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Topics
August 05, 2020
I got a call today from 202-470-24-56
August 05, 2020
They call2 * saying that my social security has been suspended for fraud and it was on August 4th 2020 and today August 5th 2020 this number they are calling me from 9714017304
August 06, 2020
Number 1 833 026 0133 called pretending to be Social security
August 06, 2020
240-676-1912, and 240-676-7144 call me with the same social security scam 8/6/20
August 06, 2020
I have been called three times from the 410-834-4639 number. You can clearly tell it is a scam as they don't speak proper English. I called the number back today and they ask you for your Social Security Number right off. I blasted the guy on the phone and advised I was going to report the number. The guy actually tried to talk me out of it. He advised I could be arrested for wasting an office of the Governments time. I blocked this number. I could hear other people in the background answering calls and asking questions. If you get a call from this number, block the number!
August 06, 2020
It's happening again - I've gotten at least 5 calls in the last few days. same area code and first 3 digits as my number. Let it go to voicemail all times and blocked the number all times - they just find another.
August 06, 2020
1800-520-3956 called me that my SIN has been cancelled due to illegal activities. When I called back with my office number. I found that its new directory number and ultimately fraud.
August 06, 2020
I got one today spoofing a local number that left message on my machine saying my ssn number had been used illegally in Texas and that unless I contacted them my ssn would be suspended. So ridiculous...your ssn would never be suspended ! I honestly don’t see how people fall for this.
August 06, 2020
I received a call from +1(312) saying that my SS was suspended. I hang up right away but immediately after got an email from a store a bought something online more than a year ago saying that I successfully made a payment with the same order number and the same items I bought more than a year ago. I called one of the credit cards I frequently use to put a note not to make a payment to this company, but I do not know how they got my email address since I used a different one to buy from that store online.
August 06, 2020
1-833-316-4157 canadá just received from that number
August 06, 2020
08-06-2020 1:50 PM EST 41015
I just received a fraudulent call regarding activity with my social security number. I was an automated message; press 1 for an "agent". Someone answered, sounded very Hispanic from a loud call center. I couldn't understand his name; and I asked who he was and what this was about. He hung up. >:(
August 06, 2020
I have had a total of 7 calls, all different numbers(I keep blocking the number that called previously), but exact same recording in a matter of 5 hours. So very annoying, especially while at work.
August 06, 2020
I just got a two calls yesterday and today. Apparently this scam is still going on.
August 06, 2020
My call was from this number +1 (347) 776-2136 be careful
August 06, 2020
I just received a call from the Social Security administration. They said there was fraudulent activity going on with my Social Security. I’m sick of these calls coming from all different numbers, so I was going to scam the scammer. They said my name and ask for the last four digits of my social. Oh I said no and they hung up the phone. The phone number was area code (306) 644-4706.
August 06, 2020
I just received automatic call from a woman claiming to be from the social security office and fraudulent actively with my Social Security number from 518-776-1330
From out of state
August 07, 2020
I got a call today- I called back but got skeptical and immediately hung up before they answered. Then went to the page here thank god. Am I fine or do I have to something now
August 07, 2020
727 610-9845 CALLS TO SUSPEND MY SOCIAL. PAUL RYAN AND PATRICK GRANT WITH STRONG MIDDLE EAST DIALECT. SO IRRITATING.
August 07, 2020
i had recieved calls from the scammers for the past two years, one day in june 2019 saying that ssi number was used down in texas, near the mexican boarder and then two days later my hubby got the same call. then i had gotten one two weeks after that . and then i just had gotten one yesterday stating that my ssi number has been suspended, and i will be appearing before the judge. and it is always on the cell phone. and last year when this happened the cell phone was in my name and this year it is in my hunny's name but i dont think that has nothing to do with it.
August 07, 2020
Just got a voice mail 8/7/20 " Horseman Action filed on your SS # for Criminal Activities under section 18 sub section 1028. Please call 818 921-7343 to verify before this matter goes to federal court.
This is a scam !!!
August 07, 2020
SSA scammer from (480) 415-5704
Phoenix, AZ
August 07, 2020
I receved this call from 1-800-646-6152
August 07, 2020
Just received the same call from 219 299 6660, Stockton CA. What was interesting was that the callback number was the same. Sometimes I'm tempted to call them and mess with them just to use their time so they can't rip others off. I'm retired, so I have the time, but many others dont. This is a scourge that our government seems unable or unwilling to stop.
August 07, 2020
+1 (720) 445-7313 +1 (855) 228-6804 Here is another scammer pretending to be the social security office and asking for social security # as well as bank account and that they can jail me in federal prison because Someone committed fraud and Is a drug dealer in Texas using my social security #. And that I need to cancel my card and they can issue another one.
August 07, 2020
This scam is coming back with vengeance and they are now spoofing the numbers with random local numbers to get you to answer. I didn't fall for it but i have received 3 calls in the last 2 days disguised as a local Verizon number and when you answer it gives you a robo message saying you're social security number is suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1 to speak to a representative. If you press 1, guess what? It transfers to someone in India
August 08, 2020
Just had a phone call from the number 5024979275 saying that myself security number was going to be canceled if I didn't remain on the line for an attendant
August 10, 2020
626-479-8896 is a scam saying that ss# is being suspended for fraudulent use!!
August 10, 2020
Just received Voice Mail from 509-557-4037- stating legal enforcement action if filed on my SS number for fraudulent activities.
August 10, 2020
I keep getting calls from different numbers, but they are the same people, one of the numbers is: 844-933-2980. At least 15 calls a day from these people, from all numbers- some that look local and others that are from other states.
August 10, 2020
Continued getting calls and messages left from phone number 239-440-8356 stating that there is criminal activity associated with my social security number. Finalyy just picked up and I told them to put it in writing and either email or mail it at which point they became threatening. Then I told them that if they truly were the Social Security Administration they would have done so already and all they were prooving to be was a scam and they hung up.
August 10, 2020
A woman with a foreign accent, who was already talking when the voicemail came on, told me that my SS # was being blocked due to a fraud & money laundering case and she wanted me to call back on the same number to avoid a warrant for my arrest! That was Jul 23. I had another call like that, from another number, that said essentially the same thing, a week later, on Jul 30. I did not call back either number. It is now Aug 10, and so far, no more calls and nobody has come to "arrest" me. Not that I've done anything wrong! I thought it was a scam, my son said it was a scam, and it most likely is a scam, but what a way to scare people!
August 10, 2020
Just got a call saying my family an me has been invested an a warrant under suspension of money laundering from a 210 660 2124 number
August 10, 2020
Got a robotic call saying my SSA benefits have been cancelled. Highly suspicious.
August 10, 2020
781-327-8598
I received this number on my voice mail. I video recorded the message
August 10, 2020
I got a call like this, but it was a recording after reciting the message I was told to press "1" for more information. I just hung up. The called ID showed a local phone number.
August 10, 2020
Also got the scam phone call from 415-630-5845
August 10, 2020
FYI: They called me from 210-942-2296. (scam for sure)
August 10, 2020
phone number 415-612-6304 has this scam, received on 8/10/2020
August 10, 2020
Got this scam today (August 10, 2020). I immediately recognized it as a scam because the call's number kind of matched mine: same area code, same first three digits, but the last four digits were different. I don't even bother answering those calls because it's usually either the A) that Mandarin scam or B) the auto insurance scam, so the scammer left me a voice mail message, and it sounded like a staticky robot lady.
August 11, 2020
my call came from 254-326-2246
August 11, 2020
OBVIOUS SCAM CALL FROM 833-767-0066
They left me a voice message. A girl with indian accent left a message that my Social Secuirty Number was being used for Money-Laundering. If I want to avoid being arrested, I must call back immediately.
They probably would start off my return call by asking for my SSN and my name and address... so they could start impersonating me and making purchases. Heck they probably even trick people into giving out bank account numbers.
August 11, 2020
(347) 581-0256 Scam call from this number
Saying ss# suspended and fbi is involved
August 11, 2020
we have been receiving a phone call from 713-236-9860 stating the are calling from SSA and that our ss# is fraud. These calls are 20-30 times per day. we have blocked the number and then get another 713 area code number with the same message . .. very annoying.
August 11, 2020
I just received a call from 833-281-2826 and they left a voicemail saying it was the social security admin office calling because of suspected criminal activity linked to my social security number. I panicked and called back because I was robbed at gunpoint in 2017 and they got my DL and my SSN card and have stolen my identity and have opened a ton of fraudulent accounts under my name. I talked to the guy and went through all his questions. I confirmed the last 4 of my social :( When it came time for the financial questions I told him my pre-paid card account that I use for everything is -35.00 and that I have a savings account with a whole $5 in it he was no longer interested in getting more details and told me that since I had less than $100 in my accounts they were safe and that they will call me back with my new SSN in 24 to 48 hrs. My heart is racing and I am still in panic mode thanks to these scamming jerks! Uggg!
August 11, 2020
now the new number they call from is 866-892-5971
August 11, 2020
Today we received a call from a New York number. 516/517-9746. The caller tried to get information regarding SS#. Stated fraudulent charges connected to it. He got hostile when we laughed, and wouldn't give private information.
August 12, 2020
I was contacted by 734-203-0938
August 12, 2020
I got this call today from a local cell number (812) 327-5430. It started with a robotic voice and when I pushed one to get to a rep I said “you can’t suspend my social security number”.. a female voice said “yes I can suspend your number.) and then hung up. I called the number back and it was a man who’s number they were using to scam people. I warned him just in case more people call him saying the same thing.
I swear... people will do anything to get money... they don’t care who they hurt ....
rest assured... there’s a judgment day coming for these thieves and people like them and it ain’t gonna be pretty.
August 12, 2020
I too was duped into this, as it was so real it was actually really well done but they said as per your column almost word for word.
I did not give my life savings but it hurt none the less
August 12, 2020
just received a phone call from this number saying it was social security. 956-983-9194 . Is it really still number