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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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This made me laugh
April 04, 2019
I recieved a call today and let it go to voicemail. They left an "urgent" recorded message with a number to call back. I was trying to hold my laugh in but when he tried to verify my SSN I told him no he should have it since he was from the SSA. The SSA doesn't answer right away and they dont have a non 800 number lol. Then he tried to tell me he was in texas and i asked really, then can you tell me why this is a Florida number. Guess they forgot the part when you call a number it shows the state its in. Dah . He started making these "ohhhhh ohhhh ohhhh" so I simply said before he hung up, I was calling the FTC and reporting the number. You can't fool me buddy... I had to call back to get a good laugh with my coworkers so I told this one i dont have a social security number and he said if i didnt verify my SSN that he would send the law to come and get me because I owe money to the IRS. But I thought you were with the SSA??? Oops wrong government agency. So i asked him if I should wait on the porch, he hung up also. Too funny that people do this and so very sad that people get taken advantage of.
Brian
April 05, 2019
They have called many times today from different numbers. How do I get them to stop. I block the number each time they call from a different one.
SAF
April 06, 2019
760-797-7871 called me 9 times in two days. I’ve read that SS never calls you but would send a snail mail if there was a need. These jerks; I wouldn’t mind helping to catch them. They call so persistently that you’d start doubting yourself even if you knew better.
mlcamper
April 07, 2019
I have gotten many of these calls lately! 888-810-0256, 0249, 0228, 0225. Block each & every one of them!
MsLulu
April 08, 2019
Just received a call from Burnet, TX (512)234-2540!!
Targeting the …
April 08, 2019
410-844-3560 is an outsourced number. When you question them they swear at you
dsaenzsr
April 08, 2019
Just got call from robot voice saying my social security # is being checked for fraudulent activity to call this # back. Why doesn't the Social Security Administration file complaints with the FCC on behalf of the consumer. How are these scammers allowed to use the phone system to perpetrate these scams ? Why is this not a national priority?
EJH
April 08, 2019
I received a call today on voicemail, automated, not person. Stated 'they were calling from the SS Admin and was informing me that there was legal enforcement action filed on my SS# for criminal activity - kindly revert to this phone number as soon as possible before they proceed with legal proceedings'. Ph # I was to call 972-236-4662 -- when I checked Whitepages reverse phone number, it said it was from Texas, low spam risk. I did not return call.
louise
April 08, 2019
Just received a similar call threatening me of arrest and jail time. The phone number they used was 240-587-6662 and they asked me to call back on the same number.
vmisgup
April 08, 2019
I got a call from 1800772 1245. i never took the call but had a partial voicemail threatening not to disregard the call. for serious consequence. I did not call back. the call back number was 682 319 3408.
Linzi
April 08, 2019
I have just had another call from the 1-800-484-7116 number, I blocked it but it came through again on my phone. its for the SSC suspension scam !! Really frustrating as companies do like to use the robot callers now and some people will not know the difference....... thank you for this website.
Stop calling me
April 08, 2019
I received the call from 512-534-4671. Unable to block because I reached the limit of phone numbers that my phone company will allow me to list.
they scamming …
April 08, 2019
My family member is getting several calls that their social security is suspended because of suspicious or illegal activity. Please don't pick up calls from this number: 888-810-0040. It has different numbers at the end, 41 and 43 are common. However, the beginning numbers are always the same.
OOO2345
April 08, 2019
9654651540.. yup same scam different number and a womans voice. I just blocked it.
jennnnnnnay
April 08, 2019
I got a call today, from (832) 479-7396. They were saying my social security number was used to rent a car in Texas which was involved in criminal activity... yea right!
Holme
April 08, 2019
Just got a call stating my social security benefits will go away if I don't press 1 to speak to a legal officer of the social security administration. Hung up!
Kate
April 08, 2019
I received a call from 1-800-489-3747 and when I questioned the woman on the other end about why the SS office would be making phone calls, she hung up on me.
theydoingtuemuch
April 09, 2019
I just got two calls today. 1-888-810-0038 1-888-810-0041 Sad some are falling for this. I don't even answer my phone anymore.....
cathy
April 09, 2019
I just received a call stating exactly the same thing. The individual I talked to would not give his name, definitely a foreign voice. He then wanted me to give him my name and SSN I told him it was a scam and hung up and blocked his call. The number wa 409-752-9651.
S. Malone
April 09, 2019
Just received a call a few moments ago. Was an OH number (4198276257) that called stating they were the "SSA" and that I my SSN was being suspended due to "suspicious activity." The recording then directed me to press '1'. All of this was in a voicemail that I received because I did not answer the unfamiliar number. Uuuhh, no.
LK69
April 09, 2019
I just received a call from 419-827-6257. I didn't recognize the number so let it go to voicemail. When I listened it was a robotic voice telling me it was social security administration and that they suspended my SS# due to suspicious activity and asked me to press one if I wanted to "know about this case". It sounded like it was a recording that was just repeating. I got the last part of it and then it repeated all the way through. So sad people fall for these scams. If people didn't allow themselves to be gullible the scammers would give up. It doesn't take much to do a little investigating.
rjk
April 09, 2019
Just received a call from this number 802-693-0216 for the second time today...SS Scam
Fran
April 09, 2019
Just received a call from unavailable, no number on caller ID. Robotic voice told me my SS# was suspended. Then someone with a heavy accent got on the phone and said “your Ss#”. I said really if you’re SS you have it you idiot. He hung up.
Sick of these calls
April 09, 2019
call from 281-779-7569 Houston Texas saying my ss number was suspended due to suspicious activity???
Patgale
April 09, 2019
646-543-2239 stupid enough to leave a message on my answering machine to tell me a legal action was being filed against me for fraudulent use of my number in filing taxes, which I don't have to do.
Zardoz
April 09, 2019
Just got a scam call from 1-252-513-4638 - - from "Officer Gale Stone" - call back number was 1-605-655-2731.
NY smarts
April 09, 2019
I rec'd a call from this number 212-264-1462 a recording gave all kinds of threats when cell phone call was answered beware when you return the call vm actually gives the VM voice of a SS regional director Beware do not give any information over phone SS will mail you information but never call you do not engage in conversation hang up and block caller from yr cell
Blt
April 09, 2019
Got a call from two different numbers today 888-658-7453 and 800-147-8965. Same robot message about ss# being suspended and to dial 1 for more info. I called the number back and it was a Verizon conferencing call number that is no longer in use.
MGoss
April 09, 2019
I just received a voice message indicating that my Social Security number had been suspended. To call 832-479-7396. I called and asked where this office was. They said Austin, Texas. They asked me my name and address and the last 4 of my social. I felt uncomfortable about this and hung up. I called again and told them that I was going to consult with the Social Security Administration online.
blaurel
April 09, 2019
I got a call like this but from 4198276257
Mike
April 09, 2019
They called me six times so far. Leaving a message each time because I do not answer the call. They called three times today. 888-810-0005 8:55 am 888-810-0041 10:08 am 888-810-0034 2:17 pm Two times yesterday 888-810-0041 888-810-0036 And once last Friday 888-810-0053
Rubysmom
April 09, 2019
Called today from Houston. 281-809-2275. This is harassment.
batman
April 10, 2019
Received this same call from 707-502-2962. I let it go to voicemail and it was a repeating loop of a robotic voice saying my SS# was suspended. I hope someone catches these crooks and throws them in jail.
DNAxSmith
April 10, 2019
I received multiple calls from 1-800 111 1213 throughout the week claiming that my social security number has been compromised. I blocked a number and then another number shows up ending in 1213 again telling me that my number has been compromised,so I called up and made sure with the SSA that everything was okay and they said it was so I no longer answer these calls. They're getting relentless they call more than my mom more than anybody I know...
krista
April 10, 2019
I have been getting a call every day for the past 2 weeks, stating that my social security # has been suspended. I keep blocking the numbers (last one was 888-810-0004) but they keep calling. And about the same time every day.
captainwhy
April 10, 2019
Add 646-387-5321 to the list.
Not Going to Get Me
April 10, 2019
Another scam SSI number: 880-810-0027.
Yet another nu…
April 10, 2019
Received from 1-888-810-0026. Your social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity, please press 1 for more information. Recorded message in a male voice. Call came to my cell phone which is on the do not call list (list is meaningless these days).
Not Going to Get Me
April 10, 2019
Another scam SSI number: 880-810-0027.
Can't scam me
April 10, 2019
Seattle # 206-415-2010 called. I called back on a different line. They answered as SS office. I asked for their address. They hung up. called again 4 x asking for address, each time they hung up.
James
April 10, 2019
Just got a scam call 19201222324 from social security saying I have an arrest warrant out for me, press 1 to speak to an agent. I hung up. Beware.
Nando
April 10, 2019
I got scammed into this and like an idiot gave my SSN. Further into the convo I realized it was fake and hung up . What can I do now?
ssan scammer
April 10, 2019
Second time I got a scamm call. I did not answer. They left a message saying my SSAN was suspended for fraudulent activity. Number was 281-160-5708.
Happilyeverafter
April 10, 2019
I have received several calls repeatedly. I called back and asked why I had to give mySSN if they were the SSA? Plenty of background noise and conversations. Fake agent stated name and badge ID along with an address. No zip code was given, so I asked for it so I could verify and agent hung up. Shameful in this day and age.
b76
April 10, 2019
I just a call from phone # 512-428-8203 out of Austin TX. Said the same thing, SSN will be suspended. I knew this was spam call. I just hung up. I don't live in Texas. Is there a way to forward the voicemail to the SSN Admin?
b76
April 10, 2019
Another scam SSI Robocall number: 512-428-8203
dont be fooled
April 10, 2019
new scam number 866-627-6996. claiming that my social has been identified of having fraudulent activity and to press one. this is a scam the social security office never calls you.
ScammersCallMe
April 10, 2019
Got multiple calls from 1-888-253-5629 today. First time they left a message and the second time I picked up and it was the message left on my voicemail. The message said; “Filed on your Social Security number _⁠_ for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly call back that would be early as possible on our number _⁠_ before we begin this is a legal proceedings that is 888-253-5629 I repeat 888-253-5629 thank you…”
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