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Probably not. At least, not from the real SSA. But how many of you have gotten calls from someone who said they were the Social Security Administration? And maybe showed the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) or a number close to it on your caller ID? Lots, right?

We’ve seen a spike in the number of people reporting those fake SSA calls to us. Since January 2018, we’ve gotten more than 63,000 reports of this scam. Three percent of those people reported a loss – and they lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484).

You can hear what the scam sounds like here. The caller usually says 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 says your bank account is about to be seized – but if you go put your money on gift cards and then give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. (Of course, you never want to do that, because then your money is just gone.)

To report this scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. But if you already gave one of these callers your SSN and you're worried about identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov/ssa. And if you get one of these calls, remember:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. Your bank account is not about to be seized.
  • The real SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards.
  • You can’t believe the numbers on your caller ID. Scammers can easily fake those. But if you’re worried, call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself – just not on your caller ID.
  • Never give your SSN, credit card or bank account number to anyone who contacts you. Ever.

To hear more from the honest-to-goodness SSA and the FTC about these scams, follow the Facebook Live at noon tomorrow on the SSA’s Facebook page.

To read a version of this blog post in Tagalog, click here.
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To read a version of this blog post in Korean, click here.
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alarm fan
April 26, 2019
I got a phone call from the telephone number 1-800-959-0719 claiming to be from the department of social security adsmintertion office. he gave me two different names but it was the same person. I only told him what bank i use but i hang when to me to go to Walgreens to get a google play card. and i call the real ssa and they said that they send out notices they don't call. they really need to get hold of this criminals and tell them to get real jobs instead of preying on people.
carol
April 26, 2019
I got a phone call from the telephone number 1-800-959-0719 claiming to be from the department of social security adsmintertion office. he gave me two different names but it was the same person. I only told him what bank i use but i hang when to me to go to Walgreens to get a google play card. and i call the real ssa and they said that they send out notices they don't call. they really need to get hold of this criminals and tell them to get real jobs instead of preying on people.
new tactic
April 28, 2019
I was scammed yesterday and they said they were SSA and that I would need to talk with the local police department. I received a call with the number one digit off from our local police department ( it looked real) and thought it was the police. They instructed me to follow the instructions from the SSA. Very elaborate.
Crkt8410
April 29, 2019
Calls stating these exact statements from 888-810-0509 X3 this AM
Joyce Weaver
April 29, 2019
This is the 3rd call today to my mobile phone. It is from 646-112-3444 and came at 2:26pm CDT. They tell me my Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity...and to call#1 to hear about this case. I know this is a scam. What more can I do?
K susy
April 29, 2019
Got this call today. A recording said, "Your social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity..." The number showed up as +1913575066405.
Paul
April 29, 2019
I just received a call from 1800 979 2295. I called the number back and beg her not arrest me but her tone got louder. She was trying to read some thing off the internet and most of the stuff she couldn't even pronounce correctly. Long story short she beg me not to call her back again.
CT Yankee
April 30, 2019
This page 100% addressed my concerns, and pointed me to the FTC complaint page. Thank you.
Dee
May 01, 2019
Got robo call from 800-325-0778, didn’t pick up and they left a message saying they are from the legal department of social security administration, and that my social security number is suspended due to illegal activity, and to learn more about the case, press 1.. they called two times already leaving the same message.. Sounds like a scam??
NeeMee
May 01, 2019
I was called this morning from this number: 631-420-4500. It was this same robo-call stated in the article.
anonymous
May 01, 2019
I have received 3 calls in 2 days from someone saying they are from the SSA. There were 2 different phone numbers, one from Farmington IL and 2 from Kentucky.
westsj.
May 01, 2019
Rec'd. call from 214-433-8409 identifying themselves are someone from social security that had legal claims against me. Urged me to call their number back before they filed charges against me. I listened to complete message and then hung up and blocked the number.
Brenda
May 01, 2019
I got a call today stating that my SS # is being used and suspicious activity and that they well have to issue me a new SS #. His name was Carl Cady number 650-499-3026 from Mountain View California. And a detective will come to my house tomorrow to get to the bottom of this. Needless to say I’m. Or opening my door for anyone. If need to I’ll got my pit bull to handle him or her. It scared me. I called SSA and they reassured me that they would never call and that a letter from them would be issued.
tater
May 01, 2019
Received 2 calls today from the "United States". I didn't answer but they left the same voice mail for both called. It was a computer and told me that the SSA has generated a warrant for my arrest because of criminal activity regarding my ssn. Press a number to talk to a representative. The number they were calling from is 914-125-4001.
Robo
May 01, 2019
Received two calls today from 224-433-7909 claiming to be Social Security and call him back asap
Beth
May 02, 2019
So I just got a phone call today from a number 888-743-3755 they said they're call me from the Social Security office they said someone in Texas is using my social security number to commit money laundering and fraud he wanted me to verify my social security number when I told them that I didn't feel comfortable doing that and I would call my own Social Security office or go down my social security office he said that that wouldn't be very good idea because of somebody's commit a crime they can't help me and I swear I'll just go today and he hung up on me. So be aware that telephone number right there.
SocialSecurity…
May 02, 2019
Starting at 12.32pm (PST) on Wednesday, 05/01/2019 I received a call every hour from a number that starts with: 888-815-00** The last 2 digits change. The caller ID attached was either 'United States' with only one having a name attached from 888-815-0057 as 'Marshall E. Miller' In order, I received this series of calls: Thursday, May 2, 2019 888-815-0096 at 1.13pm - 'unknown' Wednesday, May 1, 2019 888-815-0035 at 12.32pm - United States 888-815-0045 at 1.38pm - United States 888-815-0047 at 2.26pm - United States 888-815-0057 at 3.58pm - Marshall E. Miller 888-815-0061 at 5.15pm - United States The exact wording of the pre-recorded message left by a robotic/AI voice: "This call is from the Department of Social Security Administration. The reason 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 1 thank you"
Complaint for …
May 02, 2019
I received a prepre-recorded message that stated that my social security number was being investigated by the social security administration and that a federal arrest warrant had been issued under my name but it didn't specify my name only stated that a federal arrest warrant had been issued under my name. The number that contacted me came up under my caller ID as being from Washington State. That number is 206-443-0752. Is this real? It asked me to press one to speak with someone and I hung up the phone immediately because I've seen the scan reports. Should I be concerned?
SocialSecurity…
May 02, 2019
All times are Pacific Standard time: Thursday, May 2, 2019 888-815-0096 at 1.13pm - 'unknown' 888-815-0103 at 3.05pm - United States Wednesday, May 1, 2019 888-815-0035 at 12.32pm - United States 888-815-0045 at 1.38pm - United States 888-815-0047 at 2.26pm - United States 888-815-0057 at 3.58pm - Marshall E. Miller 888-815-0061 at 5.15pm - United States Pre-recorded message: "This call is from the Department of Social Security Administration. The reason 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 1 thank you"
jen
May 02, 2019
888 310 6113 the social security call
olive oil
July 13, 2019

In reply to by jen

that what they told me i told them off saying they are scamers and they hung up on me .
Wee Geordie
May 03, 2019
Caller displayed as 325-267-3450, and they answer when that number is dialed.
cathy
May 03, 2019
I have received multiple calls regarding my SSN was about to be suspended and used for a criminal action at first from Michigan (2 calls) and now from Ohio (7 calls) . I have blocked the number but still getting messages
Unbelievable
May 03, 2019
I received a recent scam call also from 866-931-7075.
vic94509
May 03, 2019
I’ve received calls twice within an hour..... 888-815-0335 and 888-815-0323...... same robo voice....
Rose
May 04, 2019
Was called and left on a voice mail from sic sec that there was frud report in my husband soc sec number and a warrant had been issued
bv
May 05, 2019
These are the numbers that have been calling me 814-813-7683 936-666-4537 and 214-307-2364, I block them and they call from a different number. hey leave messages claiming to be SSA with the same story as everyone else. I used *69 and called them back and immediately realized its all fake. The person got nervous and they started giving me a fake SSA ID number before I just hung up.
kaleigh
May 06, 2019
Got a call/voicemail message from 518-288-5015 (Albany NY number) saying that my SSN has been suspended for suspicious activity. I already am subscribed to LifeLock, so this cannot be true.
hickorys
May 06, 2019
I've received four calls today from 888-815-0512 and 888-815-0507 that are not being picked up as scam calls from my screening app. I'm not pressing one for more information.
Judybear
May 06, 2019
I just received this call from a strange phone # 442405468840 which is too many digits but that's what shows on my phone. The usual line about fraudulent use of my SS#. Too bad people didn't work as hard at being honest as they are dishonest.
Chris
May 06, 2019
I received a call 1/2 hour ago that was prerecorded. It stated that my Social Security number was blocked and will create problems. The number called from was 800-125-6041. I hung up the phone. I called Social Security to report it, with number I found online. I called the number and was redirected to an 800-269-0271 to speak with S.S. rep. Waiting time was 60 minutes. Decided to have them call me back as that was an option. Must be busy as said call back would be in the next 120 minutes. Must be a lot of scams out there. I never share my info with anyone!
cin
May 06, 2019
I've been receiving calls on my landline from 888-815-0525 saying my SSN# has been compromised. I never answer the call but they keep leaving voicemails. Today it started on my mobile number.
mmvp
May 06, 2019
Have received 2 calls today from 202-361-0471 with similar stories....your SSN has been suspended for suspicious activity. SCAM!
krtuck1
May 06, 2019
Call from 518-288-5015 in Ballstone Spa, NY telling me that the SSA has suspended by SS number due to suspicious activity. <>
pr
May 07, 2019
Today I got call from 410-892-7621 saying with automated message that last week with your SSN some fraud transaction happened if you want to know the details please press 1.. but I didn't press 1 and my call disconnected.. Later with another number 410-889-2564 they called and I didn't answered that call.. Do I need to check anything with SSA customer care or shall I leave it like fraud call
BellinghamWACo…
May 07, 2019
I've received seven of these annoying calls today. I keep blocking the number(s). The area code is always 888 and the suffice is always 815. The last four numbers keep changing. I reported to the FTC the first call this a.m. How do I stop this nonsense? I wish I knew how they got my number!
Liz
May 07, 2019
2 calls today claiming to be SSA and that my number is being suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1 for more information.
SDcity
May 08, 2019
Today I received 5 voicemail from the following numbers saying that my that my social security number has been suspended. I believe this is a scam calls. 888-815-0676 @ 10:15 AM 888-815-0682 @ 11:33 AM 888-815-0693 @ 1:27 PM 888-815-0699 @ 2:09 PM 888-815-0701 @ 2:44 PM What can you do to stop these kind of calls?
Gordito
May 09, 2019
I am receiving a call and that’s wat they said. Immediate basis as we have received suspicious trails of information in your name and Social Security number the moment you receive this message I need you to get back to me on my department division number that is 855-867-7546 I repeat 855-867-7546 now if I don't hear a call from you we will have to issue an arrest warrant under your name and get you arrested so get back to me as soon as possible thank you…”
Dee
June 15, 2019

In reply to by Gordito

I got the same message today but it was from a 855-494-7789 number
John
May 09, 2019
New number with voice mail from 1-888-815-0765
Me
May 09, 2019
I get calls from this 470.251.0406 and similar numbers every afternoon lately. It's a recording. The female voice says it's from social security. And they hang up on me.
NM
May 09, 2019
Received a call from SSA about my ss# about to be suspended. 575-073-4512
Mark S
May 09, 2019
Received 8 calls/voicemails yesterday and one today with all phone numbers starting (888) 815- with a different series of 4 numbers. Voice is a robo voice, not actual person.
Byron
May 10, 2019
I just got a call saying my SS# has been frozen due to...(and I immediately hung up)! The number was from (877)896-7670
JustMe
May 10, 2019
I just received a call stating SSA from (832) 479-7800 Pinehurst, TX.
May
May 10, 2019
Call from 208 410 6213, left a message, states that a legal enforcement action has been filed against a social security number. No one was identified. Don't know what Social security is suppose to have legal actions against it and it sounds like a robo recording but number comes up from Twin Falls. I did not respond.
cpf
May 13, 2019
Just received a call from 877-034-3213. They said they were from the Social Security Administration and my SS# had been blocked and I needed to give them information to get it unblocked
won&#039;tbescammed
May 13, 2019
Got a call from 888-815-0902. Left a message that my SS# had been suspended because of suspicious activity.
timbaktu
May 13, 2019
Today 5/13/2019 I received a call from 940 905 9364 with Indian accent,beware they want your social security number.