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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.

  • 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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waamco
April 22, 2019
Just got a call from 1-800-772-1035 “This call is from the Department of social security _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_…” This is a scam and needs to be stopped!!!
Tony
April 22, 2019
Beware 510-322-7026. Scam
O
April 23, 2019
Just got a call like this from 800 125 9908
Brenda
April 23, 2019
I just got an automated call from (844)899-3738 stating that my ss# is compromised.. Told me to call the above # back... I'm not sure if it's a scam or not.
Tiredofthistoo
July 30, 2019

In reply to by Brenda

IT ABSOLUTELY IS A SCAM!!! Don’t worry for a second. I’m so sick of these people trying to bilk honest and innocent people out of their hard earned money. Pay attention to the verbiage. There’s no Department of SS, it’s the SS Administration. Real officials wouldn’t use the word “cops” like they did with my mom. Your SSN CAN’T be “suspended,” etc.
csmbmm
April 23, 2019
Just received a call my SS number was suspended (281) 402-6732
Urdwey
April 23, 2019
I just want to warn others of these so "calls from SSA". This is the number 301-850-1493. I did all the questions. He said his name was Lee Edwin badge # 698745 of course I had to ask to repeat his name because he had a bad accent. Then I asked him to give me the address and he did 11111 Gateway El Paso Tx 79935. Which I looked up and it is the El Paso SSA office. But I don't live in El Paso. I asked what this call was about? And he said I had to "Identify "myself. So I told him you "you should no who you are calling " right? Since I was doing all the questions he hung up on me! Beware everybody! Don't let these fools fool you!! A friend got caught in this scam and now she had to report everything.
Mags
April 23, 2019
I received a call saying my SS # is suspended. He didn't even have my full name. Only my nickname. I said this is fraud and hung up. 1-877-212-5970.
SAM
April 23, 2019
i just received aq call from a number 18660041213 and the women on the phone asked me to verify my social because my funds will be suspended!! she then started to tell me she needs me to verify my social right away! i figured it was a scam! when that didnt work she then told me she was officier valentina polos and her id bage #02840175 and i needed to verify when that didnt work she told me that i had a warrent from my arrest from the us marshall and i was under investigation for suspectious activity and was reported by the locals and she was calling from social security! then she got very upset and told me i was not answering and verifying my information and she hung up!! i didnt tricked!!!! i then tried to call the number back and it would not let me just a beep on the line and the phone hung up! everyone beware! if your not listening to what there saying you will panic and give your information!
Amr916
April 23, 2019
I have had several calls regarding my ssn. I went to ss admin office and the told me to call the credit bureau and put alerts on. This makes it difficult or impossible for the scammer to open accounts with your ssn. Also, the car wrapp text messages are scammers.
tiredofscammers
April 23, 2019
Just received a call from telling me (this is my phone transcription since I let it go to VM) ____information on your name I need you to call on my department division number that is 714-282-4663 i repeat 7142824663 better assistance give the last four digits of your Social Security number now if I don't hear from you then I ________ proceed with the arrest warrant and get you arrested thank you..." ( called back the number from my work phone and first a lady answered- I hung up and called again and a man w/ an accent answered - I asked him what company he was calling from - he said SS office - I said which state - he hesitated - I asked again - he said Maryland - I then said this number you called from is not in Maryland - silence then he hung up.
Mack
January 29, 2020

In reply to by tiredofscammers

Every month year's end of month get text or phone call saying my SSI has suspended do to illegal crimes saying he is a gov police if I don't call 1469982 5000they will issue a warrant for my arrest Dept been s
Fedthehellup
April 23, 2019
Just received one from 888 8100905, also got one from a Pennsylvania area code also one from a number close to the real ss number just ine digit off. I hung up and called back number was out of service. These scammers are relentless
Andy A
April 23, 2019
I just received a call from 1-512-765-6672, telling me that my SSN# was being suspended for fraud. I didn't answer the call as it came up spam number, but the voicemail was a robot voice and just repeated the same thing over and over. I have learned to set ringtones for people I have in my cell phone, that way I know if I need to answer it or not.
DP
September 08, 2020

In reply to by Andy A

I just received a call from 1-512-765-6672. I have selected option 1 but I did not provide anything. When I told them I was thinking that this could be a scam they hangout on me.
PS
April 23, 2019
Just received a call from 1-866-0211213 stating my ss account was suspended due to illegal activity and I had lost all benefits. Caller was in a room with lots of background noise (telemarketer type arena) I hung up and blocked.
DennisF
April 23, 2019
Same scam, this time from (281) 823-8541 asking me to call back at the same number. Says if I don't call back "we will get you arrested!" Would love to see the scammers get arrested. How can the government not track down the other end of a valid phone number?
angry1111
April 23, 2019
I just received a call saying I needed to call SSA immediately to avoid prosecution, the number was 9152084951. When I called the number back he (with a very heavy foreign accent ) asked me name I asked if this was really the SSA office he asked my name again and I said if he was really from SSA he would have my name on caller ID. I asked he again to tell me who he was and verify he was from SSA, he got an attitude and told me he was sending the police to my house with an arrest warrant. I stared laughing and he told me not to call him again that the police will be at my home any minute. I just laughed and hung up. I was very worried when I first receive the call, as soon as I hear the foreign voice I knew this was not really SSA.
angry1111
April 23, 2019
We need strickter laws to stop the sale of phone numbers, I entered a well know sweepstakes and have gotten dozens of sales calls and scam call since then. Unwonted solicitation, and the remove me from the list never works.
DC
April 23, 2019
Received a voicemail today from 1-888-810-0930, the "Department of Social Security Administration". Told me that my social security number had been suspended for suspicious activity, and that I should press "1" for more information. Very robotic, electronic-sounding voice.
sl
June 27, 2019

In reply to by DC

Same here. I got a robotic male vouce stating: “This is the department of Social Security Administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department to inform you that we just suspended your social security number due to suspicious activity so if you want to know more about the case just press one thank you”. The number: ‭1 (281) 770-5938‬
srk_seej
April 23, 2019
Received calls from the following numbers today 9140955992 2021529422 2020334102 I did not pick up any of the 3 calls, but got a voice message stating that the call is from the Department of social security administration and it was to inform me that they just suspended my SSN number due to suspicious activity. Be careful folks
Greta
April 23, 2019
Received a call while out the caller ID window displayed US GOVT, number 469-656-6093 which is a landline near Allen Texas, and the Original carrier: Teleport Communications Group - Dallas. They did not leave a message on my answering service which I found odd, if this call was really generated by the SS administration they would have left a message, further I found it strange that they would call me form outer state, in the past the representatives always called me from home town center. The Social Security Administration could be linked to this number, but regardless, consumer beware.
Not my email
April 25, 2019

In reply to by Greta

I received a scam call from that same company Teleport Communications Group from Dallas a few months ago about an old car loan which I hung up and today I got a call that said Netherlands when the phone was ringing with a international number *31 (0) 35 998 69‬ I didn’t answer and the voicemail was from the same number but now it wasn’t an international number 310-359-9869 under Malibu California. The voicemail was a female robot voice “Need to talk to you as soon as possible again this call is from Social Security administration number to reach department is 310-359-9869 I repeat it 310-359-9869 thank you…” Ridiculous
Not my email
April 27, 2019

In reply to by Greta

I received a scam call from that same company Teleport Communications Group from Dallas a few months ago about an old car loan which I hung up and today I got a call that said Netherlands when the phone was ringing with a international number *31 (0) 35 998 69‬ I didn’t answer and the voicemail was from the same number but now it wasn’t an international number 310-359-9869 under Malibu California. The voicemail was a female robot voice “Need to talk to you as soon as possible again this call is from Social Security administration number to reach department is 310-359-9869 I repeat it 310-359-9869 thank you…” Ridiculous
swp
April 24, 2019
I received call from (866) 045-1213, with same audio message, one lady started asking me first name and last name and I asked them about headquarter location, which she told me right one. Secondly, I said her that their number is not same as social security headquarter. :) Third, I said her USA government will send mails and they will not call for anything. Then, one guy started talking and shouting in some other language. Be aware guys, don't give any information over call and email.
Jey
April 24, 2019
I received a call today from 1-888-810-0956 and left a voice mail that my SS# account has been suspended.
LMC
April 24, 2019
Just received a call from 352-353-0932. Left threatening message about my credit. Returned call and the person who answered said it was SSA and asked for my name and the last 4 digits of my social security number. I disconnected call
FedUp
April 24, 2019
Got call from Bill Baxter saying I need to call immediately, that my file was time sensitive and if they did not hear from me that it would be turned over to County processor.. 470-237-4648. No other info about what it was about or Company name....Scam
Tiffy
May 16, 2019

In reply to by FedUp

I received this same call! And they left the same exact message on my work vm- how’d they even get that? It’s not published! Creeps me out. And both calls had spoofed numbers- one with area code matching my cell and the work call area code matched my work location number.
KR
May 30, 2019

In reply to by Tiffy

Same exact messages but they’ve somehow gotten my in-laws home number and called and left a message there for me. How embarrassing even though it’s a scam. Tonhave tjem call and ask me about it and make sure every things ok
User in CA
April 24, 2019
Same thing! Just got a call from 888 810 0966 Telling me that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity
Jay in vegad
April 24, 2019
vegad1-888-810-0966 888-810-0966 Fake ss call
Dd
April 24, 2019
I need help, if i give to someone my ssn, what can happen and what I need to do?
Lulu
April 24, 2019
I Received several calls from (301)968-7642 about social security scam
costumer7777
April 24, 2019
I got received a similar call from +1(888) 810-0973 on 4/24. Everyone be careful!
Preethi
April 24, 2019
Recently received a phone call and they told me that my social security number is about to be suspended. The number is 1 866 063 1213 ! The lady sounded robotic and asked me if i wanted to speak to an agent to press 1. I pressed 1 and immediately the call is disconnected. I am worried whether I am in trouble. Can anyone help me with this?
morefakecalls
April 24, 2019
Many different calls from 888 - 810 - #### I called one number back from a blocked landline, number already out of service.
Matcha3012
April 24, 2019
Got these calls from ‭(888) 810-0979‬, ‭(888) 810-0970‬, and ‭(888) 810-0960‬ so far today.
AnnoyedReceiver
April 24, 2019
I received three voice mails today about 2 to 3 hours apart from 1-888-810-0979, 1-888-810-0973, and 1-888-810-0960 with a recording that is very similar.
rj
April 24, 2019
thank you for all this info. Received a call when I wasn't home that went to voicemail and was a robocall saying it was Social Security Federal Crime investigation unit. The number was from Malibu, CA-310-359-9869. So glad I read all this here.
mc
April 24, 2019
got the call from 866 313 2533 and then from "Marshalls" 202 307 9100 with the same pattern than above. I gave them my address but then they started to pressure me for money...
Ferleen
April 24, 2019
903-371-0518 - vm saying to call this number. Assume message before was cut off. 3rd call and msg this week.
Don't use your…
April 24, 2019
I just received a call from 571-384-3491 was left a voice message stating it was the Social Security Administration and if I didn't call back an arrest warrant would be issued for me. I called the number and a lady answered said she was from the Social Security office. I asked to speak to her supervisor and I was transferred to another lady. I asked her who she worked for and she said the Social Security Administration, so I asked what State she was calling from she said Elpaso, Texas. I told her that the area code for her number was a Virginia area code . She hung up. Beware Everyone Scam.
Irritated...
April 24, 2019
4 calls today from 888/810-0983, pre-recorded voice from the movie War-games, call the number back for one of two options, neither or which I chose then disconnected. Referenced SSA and a case I should call to learn more about involving fraud and my SSN.
Katherine
April 24, 2019
I received a call stating that my Social Security has been suspended. I called back and they asked my name and my SSN#. They are scammers.!! Phone number # 213 358 2361
Vart
April 24, 2019
I have got the same type of a call this morning claiming that there will be legal consequences if I will not call them back. The number they used is (979)803-1986 (Burton, Tx).
wiseone
April 24, 2019
866-072-1213 ... new SSN scam number
bette
April 24, 2019
Received scam call this am; didn't get the area code, but the actual number was 347-9277. The caller ID showed "Soc Security Adm" as the caller. What sounded like a recorded (female) voice said that my benefits were being stopped, and all my property seized, because my account was going to be charged with fraudulent use. Message asked me to press one to speak with the agent in charge. I hung up. I'd been online with the REAL SS earlier this am, and had received a check just this am, so I figured it was a scam (or scum!) caller.
Peter
April 25, 2019
We are getting a fraud call from 310-421-4293. Looks like a group from India/Pakistan.