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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.
  • 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.

Bostonian
May 10, 2019

In reply to by Robert Nix

I got a call today from #1-575-078-2613 recording saying: "This is the Social Security Administration and we noted suspicious activity on your account suspending your number, press 1 if you want more information". When you press 1 nothing happens. I called back this # and it does not go through.
fenchelle
May 13, 2019

In reply to by Bostonian

I got the same message left in my voicemail today. I did not press #1 as was requested because I knew it had to be a scam. The number came from PA, or so it says. 88-499-6521
NYer
May 29, 2019

In reply to by Bostonian

Same, from 618-669-3713, I basically never answer my phone now unless I recognize the person or the number. If its important they will leave a message and then I will check it out. Same for spam emails, never click any links. I am a cynic.
Gene 1125
August 28, 2019

In reply to by Bostonian

We got the same call today. Were they able to get anything based on hitting #1?
old wolf
August 14, 2019

In reply to by Robert Nix

They have a computer that makes it look like their number is local or a valid number . They are in another country and the computer generates the number , the last call the guy could hardly speak english . I am sick of all these calls .
Stu-LI
September 26, 2019

In reply to by Robert Nix

The phone companies should be prosecuted as accessories to this fraudulent activity. Then, perhaps, action will be taken to end these scams.
yesenia
June 26, 2019
que pasa si uno da los ultimos 4 numeros de Seguro social ? sin saber son no son los SSA?
Dedeye
December 12, 2018
Thank you for this important information!! There are so many crooks out there, and so many vulnerable Senior citizens who rely on their Social Security monthly checks to live on that could easily fall for this horrible scam. Most of the scammer calls I've received come from Oriental countries,or at least their voices suggest that's where they're from. I keep them talking, like I believe what their telling me, so I can get their name, phone number, as much info on them as possible. Even though I know it's all erroneous, the FTC has said it helps to track them down.
Lulu
December 02, 2019

In reply to by yesenia

Pudiste saver que pasa si das esta informacion ? Te a susedido algo ?
ofigueroaft
February 12, 2020

In reply to by Lulu

Pero Lulú que usted cree que le pase si da su información, que le envíen un premio de consuelo... ni eso Lulú ! No te preocupes Lulú, ella estará bien si no dio información completa. Pero si brindó información privilegiada... Preocúpate Lulú por ella. Hay !!! NO DES TU INFORMACIÓN PERSONAL A NADIE !!!
marita
February 03, 2020

In reply to by yesenia

hola, recibiste alguna informacion sobre tu pregunta?
ofigueroaft
February 12, 2020

In reply to by yesenia

Si lo hiciste, no te preocupes, ellos necesitan mucho más que cuatro números de un Seguro Social. Ahora sí le distes más información como tu nombre, fecha de nacimiento, direccion física,dirección de correo electrónico, números de cuentas bancarias... preocúpate entonces . Yo te puedo verificar si fuiste víctima de fraude, envíame tu nombre completo y tú seguro social.... Es Broma !!! NO DES TU INFORMACION A NADIE!!!
Lulú
February 19, 2020

In reply to by ofigueroaft

Ofigueroaft mi pregunta es porque a mi también me llamaron pense que jamás me pasaría, me pidió mis ultimos cuatro numeros del seguro social y mi nombre y se las di ,pero ahora tengo mucho miedo de lo que pueda pasar ,no le di más información que esa pero para mi es mucha información y temo por lo que puedan hacer con esta .Es una lección muy dura para aprender porque aprendes de algo que te deja sufriendo y con mucho temor.
Julia
October 06, 2020

In reply to by Lulú

Hola disculpe a mi esposo le paso lo mismo hoy 5 de octubre del 2020 dio sus hultimos 4 hijitos de su seguro i su nombre aun que ellos ya lo sabían el nombre quisiera saber su experiencia si no la perjudicó
No use su dire…
July 18, 2020

In reply to by yesenia

Me hablaron de una oficina. Para alludarme con el Bill de la luz me mandaron una persona qué me explicara.esa persona me pidió un Bill de luz y me dijo que podían bajarme el pago a 56 dólares y que calificaba para ponerme luz solar por el mismo precio. I me pidió mi fecha de cumpleaños y mis últimos 4 dijitos de seguro. No se que me paso qué se los di .y el no cargaba ninguna indicación me mostró su residencia y un ID de California ya vencido. I se dejó sacar una foto también Asus indicaciones. Quedo de regresar a traerme una carta. Pero no quede Augusto y estoy preocupado. Qué puedo aser?
No use virgysu…
August 13, 2019
Esta muy raro hoy visitó la oficina del seguro social ahora mismo resibo una llamada donde me dicen que alguien utilizado mi seguro social y que me pondrán cargos federales.. Después dise marque número 1 para areglar este asunto.
HudsonTrident
December 12, 2018
Got a poorly pre-recorded call yesterday with above mentioned scam appearing to come from China, phone number came in as +86 67521019.
Emilia
October 16, 2019
‭(803) 573-9544‬ Este número hace llamada de supuestamente son de el departamental de seguro social tengan mucho cuidado
brlawyer
December 12, 2018
A new scam I've received by email twice in the last two weeks: Sender claims he/she has obtained my password and has read all my emails and has access to all web sites that I have "visited," including dozens of pornographic sites. Sender threatens to reveal to my email recipients that I am a porno addict and demands that I pay a ransom of $700+ in bitcoins. The sender also explains what bitcoins are, and how to transfer them to him/her. I have deleted both emails without responding. So far I've seen no evidence that the sender has followed through with his/her threat. My advice is, if a similar email is received, do not reply.
ttwwrrss2
December 12, 2018
I have gotten a call, AND an e-mail, asking for the last 4 digits of my social within the last month. I refused them since there was NOTHING I'd done in years that required my SSN. The result was some very vicious e-mails and one call that indicated the SS Office as the caller in the CID. I did not answer it, but what I did do was wait past the first ring, answered, and before the second ring, hung up, and never received another such call but there's still time since that was only a week or so ago. I parsed the e-mail, threw out the obfuscations, detected the actual sender, and filed a complaint immediately. Now, if the stupid captcha let's me thru, I'll send this. Otherwise as so often happens I never make it through it.
Lyn299
December 12, 2018
Yes I received a FAKE CALL SSN pre-recorded . The pre-recorded message said some has been my SSN . They asked me to to call a toll free number . I hung up area code 7XX . DONOT respond to Social Security Administration will never call you .
Ssabala
October 21, 2019
Yo recibi una llamada hace tres dias,donde una grabacion que decia que mi seguro social habia sido canselaron por actividad sospechosa. Y que marcara El 1 para mas informacion...
rmendez
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Ssabala

No marques nada. Es mejor enganchar. Si marcas un numero le dejas saber a los estafadores que ese teléfono está activo y no te dejan de llamar. 

chaparrita
November 06, 2019
Hoy recibí una llamada diciendo que mi seguro social está en investigación por fraude me pidieron mi nombre y apellido y número de seguro social y no se si use bien en dar mi nombre y apellido pero no di mi número de seguro socialista
maggiemarr
December 12, 2018
I received this call saying my ssi number had been suspended
Thanks
April 23, 2019

In reply to by maggiemarr

I just received a call saying my SS Card had been suspended due to fraudulent activity
ofigueroaft
February 12, 2020

In reply to by chaparrita

Oye Chaparrita, no te preocupes, con tu nombre completo solo pueden Buscarte por las redes sociales y ser tu seguidor en Instagram. Necesitan mucho más que tu nombre para poner su fraude en marcha. Así que termina tu aportación al mundo fraudulento y bríndame tu numero de seguro social para hacérselos llegar. Es broma!!! NO DES TU INFORMACIÓN PERSONAL A NADIE !!! Te Amo así que cuídate
same here
April 30, 2019

In reply to by Thanks

got the same message here and the number showing is (508) 401-5955
Kjedwards
May 29, 2019

In reply to by Thanks

I just recieved the the same call...i domt answer call with out names to them... This came from a 800721773...thats not even enough #s to be calling....smh Left a voicemail saying my S.S. card has been suspended....amd to press 1 for futher info... I blocked the so.called #
Don't use your…
May 08, 2019

In reply to by maggiemarr

i just recieved a call stating my ssn has been compomised that my ssn is going to be suspended i blocked number and hung up.
Windar
November 26, 2019
Mi madre recibio una llamada ayer lunes nov 25 de 2019, desde un 1 800 597 8254, con lo aqui descrito. Ella no dio ningun tipo de informacion. Solo colgo por que le parecio extraña la llamada. Esto es preocupante y mas cuando son personas seniors a las que le hacen este tipo de llamadas. Deberian hacer algo.
cstrombo
December 12, 2018
I received a cell call today from 1 847-737-7751 claiming to be social security and stating that there has been fraud suspected on my account and to contact you at the number above. It was a recorded message, not a real person. It asked me to call the number above to discuss the issue. I did not call back.
Marymary
December 12, 2018

In reply to by cstrombo

I received the same message last week in Georgia. Just hung up and added the number to my auto reject list, but they just called from another number with the same message.
Ethelouise
February 13, 2019

In reply to by cstrombo

I received a phone call this morning, they told me the same thing, fraudulent activity on my Social Security Account, they wanted me to call back. I did not.
Vic10
April 10, 2019

In reply to by cstrombo

I just got the same call today. I'm in New York state. I didn't recognize the number (actually came up labeled spam on my caller idea) so I let my machine get it. The recording said the same thing. I didn't call back.
GrandNanna
April 11, 2019

In reply to by Vic10

I just got one on my cell phone, Robo call and said that my SS had been suspended and to call the 800 number. Will not call them back as this is not how Social Security contacts people.
Jb3
December 12, 2018
I had called and told the SSA about call I got on my Cell their number but I knew it wasn't them , but I wanted to inform them about this but I was sure they may have already knew and , she asked all the normal questions one would .. but she said that it was not them which I knew, cause they do not contact you on your cell phone but I just wanted to give them the information if someone else hadn't already callrd them and told them ,that someone was using there #.. I wish these lowlife would get a life already. Thank you FTC always being up 2 date on everything and so fast.. I know you can't always do so much about it but you do what you can ,cause they move so fast one to the next one....
Annoyed
December 12, 2018
How timely - I received this call yesterday from 325-218-0234.
Moises
December 21, 2019
Hoy recibí una llamada del número 1-800-602-8563 no la conteste y dejaron mensaje de voz indicando que estaba cometiendo frauds al seguro social y que podría ser arrestado. Que es esto?
Bibi07
December 12, 2018
2 suggestions: 1-can the FTC ask all phone providers to better manage ID; we pay a monthly fee for it, but cannot trust what is shown???..We got calls with so-called US Gov, or out of area; we know these were scams bec of the accent and they treat us if we do not pay... we ignored all. 2- Can the FTC work with Captcha to improve the quality of pics??? some are too dark, or blurred, or to small to see, for seniors;. my old relatives ( 70yo+) gave up after 3 times. Thanks and Happy holidays
Luna
December 12, 2018
I would like to see the FTC crack down on US business that still continue to ask for social security number for no reason. Yesterday at a doctor's office, I was asked for my SS number. (not just the last 4). I asked why and they said "it's for the insurance company". I replied that the doctor's office already has my insurance number and a copy of the card. So I have to assume this is to make it easier for the doctor's office to put a bad debt mark on my credit report if I fail to pay the bill. I told them I did not give out that info. Remember, only entities that pay you money and must report to the IRS can ask for your SS number. No one else has the right to this information.
ofigueroaft
February 12, 2020
Si te llaman y no sabes si es de confiar, dígale que tú quieres resolver cualquier situación por una cita en La oficina del FBI, Estafador desgraciado ¡
FTC Staff
December 17, 2018

In reply to by Luna

It's good to be cautious about sharing your Social Security number. But, you didn't list all the entities that can ask for your Social Security number.

Your employer and financial institutions need your SSN for wage and tax reporting purposes. A business may ask for your SSN so they can check your credit when you apply for a loan, rent an apartment, sign up for utility service, or purchase a mobile phone. You need to give your SSN when you request your free annual credit report, and place a credit freeze.

FTC Staff
December 17, 2018

In reply to by Luna

It's good to be cautious about sharing your Social Security number. But, you didn't list all the entities that can ask for your Social Security number.

Your employer and financial institutions need your SSN for wage and tax reporting purposes. A business may ask for your SSN so they can check your credit when you apply for a loan, rent an apartment, sign up for utility service, or purchase a mobile phone. You need to give your SSN when you request your free annual credit report, and place a credit freeze.

FTC Staff
December 17, 2018

In reply to by Luna

It's good to be cautious about sharing your Social Security number. But, you didn't list all the entities that can ask for your Social Security number.

Your employer and financial institutions need your SSN for wage and tax reporting purposes. A business may ask for your SSN so they can check your credit when you apply for a loan, rent an apartment, sign up for utility service, or purchase a mobile phone. You need to give your SSN when you request your free annual credit report, and place a credit freeze.

John S
January 31, 2019

In reply to by Luna

Many insurance companies require doctor's offices to use your social security number as a means of proving you are a patient there. Without that id confirmation, they will reject the claim, then the doctors office will end up having to bill you for the full fee, which will make most people angry at the doctor and their staff. It's an ugly cycle. Most doctors don't want to keep the massive amount of information they are required by federal and state regulations. But, if they want to practice and get paid for their work, they have to acquire the information, and put up with angry people who don't want to understand the real reason for gathering the information.
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