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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.

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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.

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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
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milk chug
March 02, 2021
the number is (949) 933 3812 from newport beach. i’ve gotten multiple calls from this number and finally checked the voicemail and had the gut feeling it was a scam, sending me here now.
Kdh
March 03, 2021
817-539-8454 “officer Michael Rogers from the social security office.” Scam
NYC
March 03, 2021
I just got a scammer call from 1(206)580-0320, telling me about someone used my ssn to open some bank accounts, and I owed $100,000....
sthor
March 03, 2021
Just got a call from 804-328-7745 and then the call was transferred to a case manager and the person on the phone said that they were with the SSA and gave me an officer name. They requested that I give them my DOB and other confidential information because there was suspicious activity reported under my SSN. Beware of these people calling and do not give out any confidential information! This is ridiculous!
carol
March 03, 2021
i got internet for Social Security immediately didn't give info to the call back number
spindoc2k3
March 04, 2021
I just got another one of these calls from 352-565-4388 or at least that is what they presented... and it was trying to say SS # will be suspended, legal action threats, etc etc. Definitely a scam.
Anka
March 04, 2021
Hi, everyone, Just now I received a call on my work phone no less, and the caller ID says "48 792 742 882". The caller said something about my social security number being compromised, and that I should press 1 to get in contact with the FBI agent working on the case. I did not, of course. Just waited patiently until he hung up.
Linda Smith
March 04, 2021
I just got a phone call from From what they call kastelum group. They said they were this so security administration another been fraudulent doing on my card and that I needed to get ahold of them for the information and they have suspended my security card. One man even got sexual with me. The number is 813-401-2362
anon
March 05, 2021
Phone call from 408-990-1243 This is social security officer Brown, your SSN has been involved in suspicious activity and will be deactivated ....
Tired of robocalls
March 05, 2021
received a call from 213-689-2383 stating that my SSN was being used and it was a robotic female voice saying it was "Officer So & So".
LMMRK12
March 06, 2021
I just received a voicemail on my phone from "the social security number" . My number is being halted until I press 1 to speak to an agent. The call came from a Jacksonville Florida number 904-236-5044. BIG DUMB SCAM ARTIST TRYING TO GET INFOR OUT OF ANYONE THEY CAN. THIS WOMAN DON'T FALL FOR IT. !!
V
March 08, 2021
I received a call from this number: (907) 978-3813 The call was an automated message saying that my social security has been suspended due to criminal activity, and prompted to speak to an agent. It really looked authentic, and stated that the call may be recorded. I got connected to a person who asked for ID details to pull the case. He said I either need a case number, or must provide information to verify ID to pull the case up. Unfortunately I have provided name and SSN. But when he asked more detail I didn't proceed. Calling the number back is directed to a voicemail.
Texas
March 08, 2021
This number is a scam saying that they are the Social Security and that my identity had been compromised. 512-520-3043
SPrice1379
March 08, 2021
they called me using 916-359-3084 so they are easily spoofing numbers. They first ask for your full name, date of birth and last 4 of your SSN (of course, I refused to share this information) and then they are ridiculously rude and threatening. Sad that people are falling for this
Maria
March 08, 2021
I just received a phone call from Marathon, FL 3055818960. They asked me for my zip code and 4 last digits of my S.S to verify I was the correct person. I knew about this so I gave a random zip code and incorrect 4 digits. She said my name and info were associated with criminal activity in Mexico and other countries. Social Security would NEVER call you, they would send a letter. DON'T provide ANY information to these people.
TC
March 09, 2021
18775570267. This is the current number they are using. The script is the same as above.
Momshelper
March 09, 2021
My elderly mother is telling me that she received a "fake" SS card in the mail with a different number. It advises her to use this "fake" card number, so your real number will be protected. If this "fake" card gets stolen, no one can use it, and it protects her real SS number. This sounds like a complete scam, but wanted to see if anyone else received info similar to this.
Bayside
March 09, 2021
I've been scammed with this today, and the phone line went really bad. I don't think they'll know how to spell my last name unless they get hackers since thank gosh it's uncommon and they were dumb enough to cancel the call with a laggy line.
sick of scam calls!
March 09, 2021
add these three to the ssa scam numbers 804-478-1940, 804-447-0451, 804-474-6448. each time i blocked one they called with another number same area code. Geesh!
Not Fooled
March 30, 2021

In reply to by sick of scam calls!

I received the same calls from each number stated in all statement.
concerned citizen
March 09, 2021
got call from # 1-408-913-4929 Today saying My SS # has been suspended because I have suspicions actively and too press 1 to find out why.
OneAlienOldPerson
March 11, 2021
I find this kind of strange because no one knows my number except the Social Security. What are the odds of me giving this number to Social Security to get medicare and then I get a message from a social security scam? It keeps me wondering if my info is safe with the SS people. No one knows who own my number and the age of the owner except SS. Not even my provider. As soon as I gave my number to SS, bingo I get a SS scam call. Like someone is giving them out as soon as they get them. My number is nowhere. I got a call from 877-583-0395 informing me that I will be arrested for money laundering unless I call that number. Nice! Now they are spoofing the SS number.
lml
March 11, 2021
I received a call from a 320-441-3326 phone number stated my social security number has been frozen due to some illegal activity and a case has been brought against me. Press 1 to continue (I hung up because I knew it was a scam). 3/11/2021
Hobie in Rhode…
March 11, 2021
I usually get one of these calls on my land line every day and they're starting to come in on my mobile phone. Then there's the call about my vehical's extended warrantee which I get three or four times a week. I'm tempted to just pull the plug on my land line.
srubio85
March 11, 2021
Its 2021 and I'm getting these calls now. This was very helpful thank you!
Marvi
March 12, 2021
I have scam from this number( +1 669-202-2968) but I search is missing the result using for scam and my this my lover scammer number (+1 904-673-7053) that is not found too because they are conspiracy and this the headquarters number (+ 1 519-341-5124) and this the dubai number (+971 56 431 3807) they are together conspiracy because they said have a gift for me and need a payment so I send already now I really realise that all of this is fake scammer just only for took money i have twice scam in my life. They are connected with other people and another country they are pretending that you have a gift and you need paid it coz custom for fee
Bobbie
March 12, 2021
954-696-6375 Recorded message, We will be forced to suspend your SS if you do not respond. Press 1 to speak to a SS Administration Officer. If you do not respond, your SS will be cancelled. I did not respond. March 11, 2021
ranjith_singh
March 12, 2021
Just now I got from this # +1 304 316 5445 and threading me your ssn going to block. I cut the call.
GameKrave
March 12, 2021
I just got a call that said that it was from the SSA and that someone under my SSN was wanted in court for fraudulent activity. But get this: it had my area code. They didn't even change caller ID, just used the same area code as my phone number.
Don't use your…
March 13, 2021
I got a call yesterday from ss scamers they wanted me to press 1 and 5alk to a cop are I would be arrested ffor of fraud people
LaBella
March 14, 2021
They just sent me a txt from +1 (833) 581-1119 stating : We have held your Stimulus Payment pending further verification. Verify your identity here: irs-claim .com
Maddygirl99
March 15, 2021
229-218-8223 Just received a call from this number stating that they would be pursuing legal action if I did not give them a call. When I called them they asked for a case number, which of course I didn’t have one. They were able to pull up my name, and he was asking me for my ZIP Code so I gave him a fake one, and then he asked me for the last four digits of my Social Security number. Of course I just hung up because no federal agency is going to call you and ask for that over the phone, just wanted everybody to know
DaisyMom
March 15, 2021
Just received a call from 336-418-5562 (North Carolina), recording stated my "Social Security account is being suspended due to a problem (unspecified, of course). To speak to an agent, press "1." Date of call is Monday, March 15. I'm sure it is merely a coincidence that the call came right when stimulus $$ is being distributed.
Pesha
March 15, 2021
New number same message here is the number saying that same message518-536-5835 they almost had me sounded pretty convincing. .
Got1too.
March 16, 2021
Just received a call from 305-446-0525. "Your social security will be suspended due to suspicious activity. Press 1 to be connected to a person or you will be losing all your SS benefits." I did press 1 and then hung up.
LauraP
March 16, 2021
Had a similar situation like the onw from this commenter. Number was 929-249-4439. I did provide my last name but didn't provide any more info. [Dawn | June 14, 2019 | reply The scammers called me a few minutes ago with a pre-recorded message about my social security number being used for criminal activity in Texas. So I pressed one to “speak to an officer,” to see where this call was going and a women with an strong accent tried to get me to verify info. I asked her several questions that she couldn’t answer. They called me from ‭+1 (202) 740-3617‬" ]
Central Florida
March 16, 2021
I have received this call 3 times in the past few weeks.. I just now received a call with the same voice, but it didn't mention social security this time, it said something about a legal matter and a case was going to be opened against me because of "suspicious activity", lol.. The recording, when I pick up, starts in the middle of a sentence, so you think you missed the first few words and don't understand exactly what they are talking about..
brookfield
March 17, 2021
yes i been getting calls like this on March 15 2021 and March 17 i go along with the scam but when the caller ask for the last 4 numbers of your ss number i give them a in correct number and they hang up i think if they have the last 4 numbers this will reveal the whole ss number to them i deal with scams every day .I been reading some of the comments here and that sad that the people lost all that money Pay Pal.. Amazon and a lot more are scams warning be care full
They tried it
March 17, 2021
So just to inform everyone that the new number there calling from is 1-346-277-0045... They knew my name and zip code asked me to verify the last 4 digits of my SS# When I said no and asked for the address so I could come down in person they hung up and every time after that I called back.
Jone
March 17, 2021
+1 (248) 875-5869 Called me and said he was from SSA office. Hardly spoke English and expected me to give him my Social Security number. I said there’s no way I’m giving my number to somebody who called me out of the blue do you think I’m stupid. He then said OK well give me the last four of your number and I will look you up, so I gave him four that weren’t mine. He then asked if I was so-and-so and I said no, and again what are you trying to pull on me. I then said I think I’m just going to call Social Security directly to see what’s going on and then he just hung up on me LOL hopefully I won’t hear back from them again.
Kao Kitty
March 17, 2021
One more number to add: 262 204 3937 From Cedarburg, WI.
dang
March 17, 2021
I just got a similar message from 503-351-9476 it asked me to press one if I wanted to learn more. I did not press one but beware of this number.
Lee
March 17, 2021
Got a call yesterday from DITCO said my SSA number was being suspended due to unusual activity in my bank account. Once my number was suspended it could never be used again. I hung up
Dale
March 18, 2021
I just got 2 today and I reported it to AARP
John doe
March 18, 2021
Got a call from 210 948 7675 guys name was Benjamin alpert
Waiting4Rescue…
March 18, 2021
I have found that even the number to the Social Security Administration has been "spoofed" so we're only getting to talk to scammers. Also,by some of the words used on this website,it proves untrustworthy, itself.
Twin Cities Maven
March 22, 2021
My husband received a call from Hancock, Texas stating the man was from the FBI and my husband's accounts had been breached. He asked for my husband's SSN. I demanded that my husband hang up the telephone. The FBI does not call people at home. They go in person to your house and provide identification to verify who they are. No one is required to talk to or answer questions from an FBI agent.. This is a SCAM CALL!!!
R Keddie
March 22, 2021
The scammers used a local number so I picked up, and it was an automated voice talking about the malicious activity with a social security number. To press one to talk to someone. The only reason I pressed 1 is that the day before I actually was online on the SSA site. I think it is too coincidental to get such a call. I think they have seen that I was on SSA site via some tracking.
njs
March 22, 2021
I just received a call today stating I need to call back this number 601-326-2088. To talk about my SS number.
Rodie
March 22, 2021
Got a phone call today about suspicious activity in my Social Security account. Phone number was 212-662-7430. I hung up as soon as they mention the suspicious activity.