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The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
  • Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there.
  • Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
  • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.

If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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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.
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  • 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.

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mlscholz
December 12, 2018
I received this call numerous times and just hung up. Now I'm getting calls saying that Microsoft is threatening to shut down my computer. All are robot calls...They're fake. I just hang up. The one from Microsoft also lists my name on caller ID! I don't call myself.
BUSTER
December 12, 2018
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NORE THEN 40 YEARS AND THE GOVERMENT STILL CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT VERY SAD WHAT ARE WE PAYING TAXS FOR MABYE ONE DAY.
fraudcontrol
July 30, 2019

In reply to by BUSTER

My exact thoughts. We need to urge out government to focus on identity protection and security. Why is this so easy for people to get away with? I do not understand why we do not have groups or coalitions and committees to stand against fraud and identity theft.
Snoopi1964
December 12, 2018
I was called about three times within two or three months the caller claimed that my SSN was used in a crime in California and New York buying drugs. Next they called and stated that I would have to go to the SS office to get another SSN. Then I was threatened to contact them immediately that is something wrong with my SSN.
Sha'Re
December 12, 2018
I got a call about 2 months ago in the same manner. It was late Sunday evening and I saw the Medicaid number. Knew it was weird, so I let it go to answering service. They said they needed to speak with me immediately and said they'd call back with important information about my service being cancelled. Cancelled? they attempted to call but I would not answer and again, let it go to answer service. They never left a message on the second call. So the next day I called the Medicaid Office myself and played the message back to them so they could hear it. The Agent told me that I was onpoint in not answering and keeping the recording on. Without question a scammer and took down the information from the call, time and date. Never heard of any govt office open after 8pm and just goes to show they will try you if you let them. Ive learned to keep any calls and report it as soon as possible. Sad people will not get out and work like everybody else...
Pahrump2008
December 12, 2018
Received that call with the phone ID of the SS # twice last week. When I heard "Texas" I did hang up. After the 2nd time I called SS to report it and to ask for an appointment to answer several questions. The nice lady gave me a phone appointment for 12/6/18 at 11 am. At 10:50 am that day I received a call with the ID "Private Number". Thinking that it would be a person I know who does that and I don't want to have contact with plus to keep the line open for the SS call, I didn't answer the phone. No message was left. 11:00 am another call "Private Number". Again I didn't answer and again there was no message left. No other call after that. Well, now I am wondering if SS calls back with a hidden ID. Does anyone know?
Cindy
December 13, 2018
I have received 3 messages from this scam. I did not respond. I saw a report on the news where a woman did fall for it and lost a lot of money.
Jill
December 13, 2018
Received a call from 214-329-9124 out of Dallas, Texas. It states there are legal enforcement actions filed on my SS number for fraudulent activities. Total scam.
Hamster
December 13, 2018
Got the same scam, called the house 4 times one day with recorded message. Left a number to call back Texas 281-845-2839, “Officer Gonzalez” answered, of course had my first and last name, as they must have caller ID, told me my SSN being used etc....told him we ll be reporting him to the FCC.
Irishwolf
December 13, 2018
Just got one that left a recorded robotic message about an enforcement action by the US Treasury against my Social Security number. Was almost tempted to call back from my actual government line to mess with them, but will leave that to the pros.
Princess
December 13, 2018
This has also happened to me today ( 12/13/2018. When I asked why was the other people in the background saying the same exact words to other people he couldn't answer that, then I told him I would contact the social security office myself. He got upset said fine and hung up the phone. I never give my social security number out over the phone
Patricia
December 13, 2018
received all 12/13/18 at 2:16 PM saying my social used in numerous fraudulent activity and is suspended. I do not and did not respond to this and made a complaint to the social security admin IG office with the calling number 847-737-7751. Above that on the caller ID was V21316161600047. how many people will be falling for this and actually call them back. NOT ME!
Munamismadame
December 13, 2018
I receive messenger daily from a guy who says he is stuck in Nigeria ask for money
Fred
December 14, 2018
I do not answer any calls unless they are on my contact list. If it's important enough, they will leave a message. I don't call back unless it's from a legitimate business I have been in contact with previously. End of problem.
Grumpy
December 14, 2018
The call I received today came out of San Antonio Texas at least on the caller ID. The caller asked me to verify my last four digits of my social security number because of a personal matter. When I asked what company and what personal matter it was he refused to answer and again asked me to verify my identity. I did not and told him I would not verify anything until he gave me information on his company and he promptly said thank you goodbye and hung up.
Lancer
December 14, 2018
I too received this call. I asked where they were calling from they said Florida. Hung up and blocked number.
flstctx
December 14, 2018
received a computer recording from Gilmer TX 99030 841-4411 today 12/14/18 pertaining to SSA and treasury and was to call them back. I blocked the call.
Frank
December 17, 2018
8 calls so far this morning from the same number about my social security number. 8 calls! All from 8652246952 I have the number blocked, but the dang auto dialer leaves a voicemail every time. About to cancel my phone service completely as 95% of the calls I get are sales/scams
Joelle
December 17, 2018
What do you do if you already verified your social security number with one of these fraud calls? They said that they were calling from Social Security and that my number had been breached. i verified my number to get more information then the call was dropped. when i called back it was an automated survey about vacations. the number was 1-800-456-7843
FTC Staff
December 19, 2018

In reply to by Joelle

The FTC has information about what to do if your Social Security number has been exposed to a scammer. Read the tips and information at www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen.

rockymountainw…
December 17, 2018
Just received a recorded call on both my home phone and office phone ... poorly recorded message about the suspension of my social. Phone number to call back 1-847-737-7751.
Annoyed
December 17, 2018
I've received 2 of these calls. Robo caller is even giving a SSA Badge #9165. Additionally, the computer calls are now waiting for the beep indicating my VM outgoing message is complete. This is new, they used to start as soon as a human voice was heard. They are getting much more cunning in their "scam" calls these days which makes them seem more realistic. I don't answer ANY calls from numbers that I don't recognize. Block, Block, Block.
gb
December 18, 2018
received a 4 calls today from 1-972-591-8422(dallas, texas number) claiming similar to above, that there is fraud associated with my ssn and that i need to call back.
LRPP
December 18, 2018
ON DECEMBER 17 WE GOT A CALL FROM A rYAN fLORES WHO SAID MY ss# WAS USED TO BUY A CAR AND IT WAS LEFT IN THE MIDDEL OF THE ROAD AND IT WAS USED IN A CRIME AND THEY WERE GOING TO BLOCK MY ss AND THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THAT WAS TO MOVE SOME OF MY SAVINGES TO THE CHECKING A THEN GET A GIFT CARD FROM SAFEWAY GIVE TO SOMEONE THAT WOULD COME TO MY DOOR TO GET IT. I KEEP THEM ON THE LINE UNTIL I CALLED THE ss OFFICE AN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SCAM AN NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ss#. SO I HUNG UP. THE MANS NAME WAS Ryan Flores AND HE SAID HIS BADGE # WAS ss OA1420 WHO MY BAKE WAS AND EVEN MY LAST 4 OF SS# .HE TRANSFERED ME TO HIS SUPERVISOR RUTH, WONDARD HOW THEY GET THIS INFORMATION ,1420 PHONE # 1-404-380-1395 IT WAS AMAZING HOW MUCH CORRECT DATA THEY HAD MADE IT VERY CONVENCING. I CHECK MY BANK, CREDIT COMPANYS AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALL THE CREDIT COMPANYS LOCK SO IF SOMEONE WOULD TRY TO USE IT I WOULD GET FLAG. I SUPECT THEY WILL CALL BACK AT SOMETIME BUT I WILL NOT ANSWER THAT NUMBER THEY ALSO US EH ss PHONE. WHAT A NERVE RACKING EXPERANCE!
Rei
December 19, 2018
Why my comment was not posted?
Kathryn4u2
December 19, 2018
just received a PHONE CALL Today - regarding US Soc. Security - I'll be arrested - if I don't comply !! 216 539 7396 is the phone number !
e wish it wasn…
December 19, 2018
281 915 0577 is the offender that called about legal proceeding against my social security benefits and I must call them to prevent this happening.
Monica1315
December 20, 2018
I got an automated call from officer “Kevin Smith” regarding a legal enforcement to cancel my social security. I go this call from 1-800-772-1213 in Fort Collins, CO. The caller provided this number to call back: 720-361-8870. The first time I called this number, nobody picked up the phone. The second time, a male with an accent answered the phone. He requested my name and the original number where I received the call from (I was dialing from a different phone). I didn’t quite understand one of his questions, so I asked him to repeat it. He got angry and repeated the question. Right there, I knew it was a scam, so I told him that he should be doing better things than scamming people. Then, he hung up on me.
KST
January 03, 2019
I received a call from 1-800-72-1213 which is the real SS phone number and they left a message telling me there was suspicious activity on my number. I called them back, and a machine asked for my SS number. I checked the phone number and discovered it was the real number. I called them back and got the real SS office, was on hold for 50 minutes and then got a person and they told me it was a scam
connie2cats
January 06, 2019
I receive a lot of calls that I don't recognize so I don't answer. Some calls are local, some are from all over the USA! Some leave message and expect a call back but I never call them back. They are all scammers!
RDPrstr
January 07, 2019
I have received 5 calls in the last two days on my cell phone, my wife two calls on hers, and my daughter two on her cell. All are spoofing both the SSA main number and their TTY number. It is a recording saying that my SS Account has been suspended. Pusk 1 for more information. The FDA is not living up to its responsibility for protecting us from this nonsense.
ticked-off
January 08, 2019
Got several calls from automated voice saying my ss# has been used to commit fraud and to call them back... yada yada...so sick of it already! caller ID says Sioux City # 712-202-0128 Last month it was 4-5 calls in a row every day for a week threatening that we will go to jail due to money owed to IRS. Ahhhhh so frustrating. I just feel bad for the innocent people who believe it.
tersa
January 09, 2019
2 calls from scammers in one day: 505-404-9739 robot message about SSI number. 940-448-0990 robot message about SSI number.
Mrs B
January 10, 2019
It's amazing how people can still do the scams and to report you have to wait for the government not to be shut down. How can I report this I don't even know when the government will be working again it makes no sense. So as long as they do it during government shutdown I guess it's okay?
Rashi
January 11, 2019
I got the same call today. I did not provide any detail but provided last 4 digits of SSN by mistake. Is it gonna be a problem? What should i do?
frustrated
January 11, 2019
I just got a scammer call—from MY OWN phone number! What’s the point of Caller ID if the number provided belongs to someone you know but turns out to be spoofing?
doctorknowfake
January 11, 2019
i got the same call from 1-800-772-2212
Admiral-Sabree
January 11, 2019
I just received a call with the number 800 222-4569. They asked for my SS so I hung up. Thanks for this clear up.
xJcbx
January 15, 2019
Great. We cannot report report scams during the Government shut down.
Destiny19
January 16, 2019
I just got the call and I was an idiot and told them my SSN. What do I do now? I have been on hold with the ones that I was told to call on this website but they are extremely busy. What do i do now?
Babygirlmom
January 17, 2019
I also received a call from these bozos 972 382 7033 They informed me that my SSN had been linked to a crime. I informed the bozo that because of his broken incorrect english that he was not an employee of the SS office. He informed me that I could not call him and talk to him that way since he was an employee . I also let him know that with the government shutdown no one in government is working.
AR
January 18, 2019
Received a Robocall today from 415-475-7438 Novato, CA. A man with a accent from India said he was with the SSA and my number had been linked to fraudulent activity to call back.
tiredofscams
January 18, 2019
have been receiving 4 calls today, 1/18/19,so far from 360-515-7593 gives the above message.. for your files. I never calls these back.
Loubeau.diana
March 05, 2019
They said my social is frozen and need to take all my money out of the bank and ask for the last 4 digits of my social and address .i gave them my last digits of your social after you realized it was a scam. What do i do now ? I'm an old lady and don't know what to do
IlovemyPug
January 25, 2019
1-25-2019 I just received a recorded call from the following number +1(512)961-7076 claiming to be from the Social Security Administration say there was fraud on my account and I need to call them. I didn't call. Hopefully when this shutdown ends, soon I hope for all of you, you can start checking on some of these call.
Mark
January 25, 2019
Received a call from Texas (469) 445-1916, with a voice mail stating that if I wanted to avoid legal action I needed to call back. I called back and asked why is SSA calling from Texas and the male on the line said "Sorry wrong number" and disconnected the line.
dlg
January 28, 2019
I have received three calls this morning (once an hour so far) from 859-786-1176 with the suspended social security message. I do not answer my phone but the same message was left three times which I deleted.
Not a fool
January 28, 2019
I received a phone call from Social Security {not}. It was a robotic message telling me there had been illegal actiivity on my account and that I was to call them back to resolve the issue. I did not have a pen and the message said the number too fast. I remember the prefix being 216 xxx xxxx ? I did not return call
fedup
January 29, 2019
Today alone I received 5 calls with the caller ID displaying Social Security Administration. All different numbers. All stating my ss number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. I would block the number or mark it as spam and shortly afterwards another call from a different number. I’ve received a couple in the past week but today was crazy. How can they keep getting away with this crap?
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