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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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fed up with sc…
June 10, 2019

In reply to by Scammers

I just got the same call saying my ssn would be suspended cause of suspicious activity. The # they called me from was (877)803-1028. So glad that I came across this cause I'm not gonna lie I was a little nervous, but what made me research it was that I started thinking hmm, I'm not sure your ssn can be suspended. And I normally dont answer for #'s I dont know. Ughhh, gotta always follow that gut instinct.
Daisyflower
August 07, 2019

In reply to by fed up with sc…

I got some calls a while back that my SS# had been used at the border in Texas. I did report to SSA. Today I received a call that my SS# had been suspended due to suspicious activity from this number (855)207-1892. Yup always follow your gut instinct.
ssahem
August 08, 2019

In reply to by Daisyflower

Never, Never, Never give out any information on the phone to these scammers. Social Security Adm will never call you for this information.
It happen to me too
October 25, 2019

In reply to by Daisyflower

Everything you guys have been telling me it happened to me I was scared at first and I was a fool to follow all the directions but I put a hold oh my gift cards the person that spoke to me was Michael Davis he gave me numbers 410-424-6844 another one was 1-800-662-0981 and 1-800-662-1377 I'm so glad I look this up and I seen everyone's talking about thank you I really hope they catch these people
Smith
October 16, 2020

In reply to by It happen to me too

Just got a call from “Mike Davis”. Anyone know if we should do something? Is our information compromised?
Miss Abby
September 03, 2019

In reply to by fed up with sc…

I just received a call (went to voicemail) from (888)211-7770 saying my SS# was being suspended due to suspicious activity. First I wanted to see what the SS office phone number was, then I found this group of comments under “scams”. Thank you for the info.
Scammer2
June 26, 2019

In reply to by Scammers

Yep here’s a few numbers calling to say I’ve been suspended due to suspicious activity 888-164-2896. 805-254-8258 and twice with “unknown caller”.
Ams210
July 12, 2019

In reply to by Scammers

I received the same call saying the same thing. What happened in your case
Same Call
September 12, 2019

In reply to by Same_here

I got the same exact call but from a PA number 412.314.4420. Good to know it's a scam call.
Doscam hater n…
January 27, 2020

In reply to by Same Call

I received a call this morning saying that there was fraudulent activity and that there was a warrant put out for my arrest they left the son of voice mail I called the number back and it was out of service
Darlene Melton
January 29, 2020

In reply to by Doscam hater n…

Same thin happened to me from 301 358 4412 called back disconnected
olderandwiser
December 07, 2019

In reply to by Same_here

Just got a call the other day from a number ,,robo call voice mail and it said that there had been fraudulent activity related to my social sec number and they will start legal proceedings but they need me to call back first before they start proceedings..then it ends with "thank you".. SO I called the real SSA office and they said those kinds of calls are scams. This scam number is traced back to New York state upstate
sickof these calls
December 17, 2019

In reply to by olderandwiser

I just received three robocalls with an elderly women's voice saying they were blocking my ss# and drivers license from 832-626-4949. I know this is a Houston, TX number but I did not call back
Dbaby
July 25, 2019

In reply to by Hululu

Same thing happened to me. I accidentally gave them my last 4 and full name. Can they do something with that?
Lovie
November 08, 2019

In reply to by Dbaby

Me too but luckily that's all that I gave. Can they do anything with that info? I'm freaked out.
preethundal08
January 17, 2020

In reply to by Dbaby

I already gave my last 4 number and name so plz if someone assist to me plz
mrz.bovee0301
August 27, 2019

In reply to by Hululu

I literally just got that same call a lady calling left a message saying I needed to call them back right away my social security number was being used and if I don't contact them back they will be seeing me in front of a judge when I contacted the number I got back which was area code 610-465-8078 the man told me that my social security number was being used and a crying and taxes with bunch of credit card bunch of bank accounts car loans rental car loans he proceeded to say a house is rated where there was drugs and it was credit cards with my name on them that I needed to help them find the people he asked what my name was which I told him in the beginning but he started asking my social security number and I said I don't feel comfortable giving it to he said what's your last four digits I gave him my last 4 digits now I'm kind of worried so now I'm doing all these different things to do identity. Just to make sure
Achilles
September 27, 2019

In reply to by Hululu

hey! i got the same phone call today and even i confirmed my last 4 digits of my ssn and my full name but i didnt give my full ssn. i am really worried and i dont know what to do now. would this create any problem now or in the near future?
itsfionnn
October 01, 2019

In reply to by Hululu

Did anything happen after you gave out your name and the last 4 digit f your ssn?
WHLD
October 10, 2019

In reply to by Hululu

The same happened to me this afternoon. I stupidly gave them my last 4 SSN and my name. However, I didn't give them any other substantive information. Retrospectively, I should have been wiser and more cautious. BTW, the number I received is 866-297-1926. I hope the government or FBI should crack down on this.
tizmeDC
April 26, 2019

In reply to by Robert Nix

The new phone number they're using now is 1-800-674-9754 They just left me a voicemail.
ghost
May 03, 2019

In reply to by girlnextdoor

Got the same thing today. I confirmed my last four digits because I got scared, give a bit of information but not that much. The phone that I got is +1(212) 648-2247 and +1(626)515-3363. Watch out guys!
Liz1
May 13, 2019

In reply to by ghost

Will anything happen if you give them your last 4? I got scared as well and now I know it was a mistake
Jchild88
May 27, 2019

In reply to by Liz1

I did the same thing. I feel so dumb, I’m usually so good about scams. Will anything happen?
OMG!!
May 28, 2019

In reply to by Jchild88

This happened to me last week and I had till today to call back DEA cause my SSN was involved in criminal activity and money laundering and if I didn’t call back they was coming to pick me up ... this call is coming out of Texas (210) and the SS office number is a (956) I wish I would of saw these comments sooner... I felt very scared and they was telling me they would give me a new SSN...
Jagger1
July 19, 2019

In reply to by OMG!!

I just got the same call from a random 800#, about my SSN # being suspended (which can't happen fyi) and to press one. Just to let you all know, it doesn't matter what number it came from. It is a "spoofed" number, which means they are not really calling from that number, so if you call back you wont reach them. But you may reach the party that number actually belongs to, if it exists. There is no way unfortunately to trace these numbers either because they are computer generated through their spoofing system, so reporting which number called you makes no difference. There is no way to tell where the call actually came from either. It may show a New York area code, but it's actually coming from a computer overseas (for example). So, because these bad people are so pathetic that they are constantly calling every number they can get ahold of to scare you into providing your personal information, there is no way to avoid these calls. You can block one on your phone, but they can just call from another. The best thing to do in this day and age, unfortunately, is to just not answer numbers you dont know on your caller ID. If it is an important call then they will leave a voicemail or contact you by other means, like email. Then if the voicemail is some loser going on about your ssn being suspended, or your iCloud account or bank account being compromised, or anything else that has to do with your personal life, dont call the # they provide you, but call the number for the actual company they claim to be calling from. You can find any legit companys number online. No company like that will EVER call you about any security issues and ask you for personal info. I know this because I work for one of these kinds of businesses, and have dealt with calls from customers about these same kinds of scams. This is frustrating and sad, but sadly how the world is these days. As long as you dont give them your whole ssn#, address, bank info or credit info, or account numbers, you should be okay. If your afraid you did provide personal info then follow the link provided by this page. Good luck!
No one has tim…
January 06, 2020

In reply to by Jagger1

I received a call this morning (800-331-9179) which I didn't answer. They left the exact same message -noting my SS number was suspended due to suspicious activity - if I wanted to know about the case press 1 - also noting the call was from the Department of SS. Ironically I had logged into my SS account earlier this morning so this did make me wonder at first if it was related...but I also remembered SS only makes calls from a direct person, not this type of recording. I checked online for info regarding this type of fraud activity and found this site. Sadly crooks never give up.
Oldmantootired
January 27, 2020

In reply to by No one has tim…

Exact same thing with number 800-928-4105. After pressing #1 I hear a loud commotion of a very busy call center and a man with a very deep Indian accent stated the exact thing. I asked in a hard tone "Where are you based??. He answers "What sir?" and I ask again, "Where are you headquartered?!?" and he drops the call in a blink of an eye. Sad low-lifes need to do harder or as hard of time as any criminal that can ruin peoples lives.
Donscammed't u…
November 01, 2019

In reply to by Liz1

I jus got that same call 10 minutes ago saying that my ssn was used to rent a car n found cc in my name n texas! I didnt give n info out but they were very intimidating n spoke broken english.
B-rad
May 29, 2019

In reply to by ghost

Yeah, I just got a call too and I gave my last 4 digits I was scared that’s all I gave him tho should I be worried
B-rad
May 29, 2019

In reply to by ghost

Yeah, I just got a call too and I gave my last 4 digits I was scared that’s all I gave him tho should I be worried
amm
June 14, 2019

In reply to by B-rad

Yes, just got the same phone call. I don't usually pick up numbers I don't know but I am apartment hunting so did. I got really scared about the suspension as well. I gave them my full name and last four of my SSN. It would be great if the FTC hosting this page could let us know if we should be worried or not.
Mannu
September 25, 2019

In reply to by amm

Hi, same happened to me and I have shared my name and last 3 digit of sin number. I am very worried. Does anything happened to you. Please reply
Amgtx
September 26, 2019

In reply to by Mannu

I did the same exact thing today and i am super worried and scared i dont know if anything is going to happen to me
Dbaby
July 25, 2019

In reply to by B-rad

I did to smh. I’m trying to figure out myself if I should be worried
C
June 05, 2019

In reply to by ghost

I did too. I was shaking after... I reported it but I'm terrified they have enough information on me. I was so dumb... Normally I don't flinch with scans but my brain is not in it's best shape lately. If anyone is worried maybe freeze your credit so at least they can't open accounts.
scamhelp
June 14, 2019

In reply to by ghost

i confirmed my name and last 4 too! has anything happened? I am so sick with nerves.
Luz
June 22, 2019

In reply to by scamhelp

I did this too! I am very worried! I froze my credit accounts so they wont try to open new ones. But what happens now?
AJZ
May 13, 2019

In reply to by tizmeDC

Hi. I just received a call with 1800 674 8759 in the caller ID. When I answered the phone an auto message stated my ss number had been criminalized and used fraudulent. It stated to call back on that auto number. I did not call back for after research I realized must be fraud. However, called back from public phone, not cell, and got message that number used for outgoing calls. Unable to accept calls at this number. Figured they must get something from my cell or link a virus if I were to call that number back from my cell.
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