Skip to main content

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.

Search Terms
imposter
scam
Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
Amy
June 24, 2019
They are calling from 3152326975
Gypsy
June 25, 2019

In reply to by Amy

Same. They left voice mails because I didn't pick up. Saying "call back this number to speak to a federal agent." Blocked.
DC-Jimm
June 24, 2019
Another scam number - 813-474-1589. Same recording about suspicious activity.
BeAware
June 24, 2019
Scam call - recording. Claiming to be Jennifer Walker from Social Security Administration legal enforcement and that there were fraudulent activities being done with my SSN number. The female recording said to call (786) 588-0112. BLOCKED & Now Reported here 6/24/2019
Wilmer
June 24, 2019
Received a call today from 877 302-2631.
ATex
June 24, 2019
Got a call today from 800-715-2603 saying my SS number was about to be blocked (recording) and to press a number to be connected to a legal rep. I hung up.
Sid
June 24, 2019
Received a robo call telling from 718-210-5615 came up on caller id as Fat Beats Inc. stating that my social security number had illegal activity and before legal action took place I needed to return a call.
Narbie52
June 24, 2019
I received a phone call today from Friendship Texas saying they were going to suspend my social security number for sapesiuos activity in Texas. 832 481 6686
delany1987
June 24, 2019
I just got a phone call from 1800-017-9213 stating the same thing, "Your social security will be suspended due to suspicious activity. Please stay on the line to be connected to a representative. Your social was cancel and now needs to be re-activated. I immediately hang up. Writing this from NY, 10040, on 06/24/2019
CJ
June 24, 2019
Received a recorded call today with a message about suspended SSN due to suspicious activity from this Florida number (813)474-1589.
Notbeingscammed
June 24, 2019
Just got a similar call from a robotic voice 813-474-1589. They didn't even try to disquise the number. Good luck out there!
common
June 24, 2019
today i got 3- calls saying my SS# has been suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1, well it didn't go anywhere. when I called the number back, it was not an active number. Total Scam.
Kickin knowledge
June 24, 2019
The scammers are back at it today they called me 3 times on the following numbers: 1-800-854-0578; 1-855-118-3999; 1-877-783-4623. Also the FTC closes at 4pm est. and their number is 1-800-269-0271, if you want to report this scam. They are after seniors (older people), but regardless do not give out your information to anyone over the phone calling you asking for your information just hang up. I told him that they were scammers and they basically hung up on me but they’re just looking for one person to fool remember their mantra is “A sucker is born every minute don’t be the sucker .”
Amp901
June 24, 2019
I just got a voicemail today from Land O’ Lakes, Fl. (‭813 474-9719‬). The message was: “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 one thank you…” Clearly a scam, but I was nervous so I Googled SS number phone call scam just to be safe. I found all the rest of these similar comments with similar experiences. Thank you all for sharing your stories.
CarefulAmerican
June 24, 2019
Called me 3 times so far today for this scam. 1-877-210-6639, 1-877-026-2241, and 1-877-494-3458. Be careful people
Nashville
June 24, 2019
They are still at it! Got this same call 6/24/19. Please make them stop!
Ann
June 24, 2019
Scam number 1-800-671-1369
Sammah
June 24, 2019
I have received three calls today alone fto3m different numbers in Washington DC about there being fraudulent activity on my SSN. This is beyond ridiculous. Every time i block a number a new one pops up. What is being done to combat this?
Cali J
June 24, 2019
I just a social security scam call from 813-474-1589
ugh
June 24, 2019
I've been getting calls from these guys on different 877 numbers for a month. Today I must have received 10 of them. I never pickup. The voicemail just says " if you want to know about this case press one thank you". FTC - can't you find and shut them down? I can keep blocking the numbers, but it seems they're using different numbers each time now and way more aggressive to reach a human!
SaddieTaz
June 24, 2019
I received a similar call from 873-474-1589, saying my Social Security Number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. It was a recording message apparently, not even calling out my name on the call. And I was like, suspending my Social Security Number? Huh? When my birth date or even my first and last name will be suspended? I hanged up right the way.
Ganesh
June 24, 2019
I got a call from 813 474 1589 today (06/24/2019) - its an automated message stating that some unusual activity happened on my social and it was suspended.. to get more details to press 1. !!!!! what I did was - simply hung up before pressing and numbers to "resolve." !!!!!
Don't use your…
June 24, 2019
813-474-1589 this number call me at my job today and a man with a deep voice goes" we're informing you that your social security has been suspended, this is a serious matter and if you want to know more about this, press 1" without hesitation i press 1 and a laddy w the nicest voice continues.." welcome to the social security administration, may i have your name please sir " i replied ,you call me and you are asking me you I am, i ain't give you my name at all, you should already know who i am" she hungs up instantly. these are a bunch of scammers from FL. be aware of the 813 area code . either hung up or tell the person at the other end to go FH.
NotFooled
June 24, 2019
Have received for phone calls all for an 800 numbers with six digits following instead of seven . All saying suspicious activity and that your Social Security number is suspended. Thank you for previous comments absolutely a scam !!!
truth
June 25, 2019
i got multiple calls from (866) 620-6635, ‭(833) 310-5252‬, ‭and (496) 745-3050‬. i was bored out of my mind so i started calling them. the numbers are recycled numbers belonging to textme app. after wasting 37mins of their time, the female scam artist accidentally told me her name and location - preetika and lives in nyc.
YT
June 25, 2019
Got a call from (254) 232-2495. Something about a legal enforcement on my social security number. The request is to call the above phone number. It is a scam.
Hate scammers
June 25, 2019
I just got pretty much identical call last 2 days except it was a woman automated call. I hung up immediately and blocked both numbers
FedUp
June 25, 2019
Received several recordings from this number 8662795729. When will this END!!!
RG
June 25, 2019
Got a call from +1 888-234-7352. Similar voice saying my social is suspended and I can dial 1 for more details. When I dialed 1, the operator asked for first and last name. I asked him is this a fake call, to which he says 'ma'm, you have reached social security office' and whatever. I said, no worries I will call them up myself. To this, the guy responds, ok ma'm, let me suspend your ssn now!! dude! dint you first say mine was suspended. Such threat tactics!
abc84
June 25, 2019
I received 10 calls with in 10 minutes with the same message
Starksk
June 25, 2019
I have been call once a week since 6-13-19 from a officer Ryan Smith saying there crimal activity on my social security number to call back at 424-281-0251 before he process with legal action. I have report it to trade commission and my local sheriff department. Something needs to be done about this number or person.
Anne
June 25, 2019
Called by 888-317-5865 regarding my SS# being suspended. Went through to operator providing a fake name. The individual disagreed stating I was providing an inaccurate name, to which I responded that it was my name. He hung up at that point. Will have to see if another call comes through.
Another Victim
June 25, 2019
Same thing... a call from 877-679-4069 with automatic voice my social security is suspended... hear more about this case, press 1. Immediately alert me of scam call, I didn't press and hung up.
Concerned Citizen
June 25, 2019
I called the number back they didn't verify my info at all just my phone number. I was asked if I was a Celia Rios and said no and they said they would remove my number. FYI
LeAnn
June 25, 2019
I just got another scam call. This number ‭+1 (877) 053-4485‬. These calls come from so many locations. Our government agencies do NOT call people and bully them out of money. People beware! If you want to follow up to check on your personal standing, hang up, look up the published phone number for the agency and follow up responsibly. Do NOT give out any personal information to anyone you don’t know! Protect yourselves!
Mark
June 25, 2019
Received two calls on different days from two numbers. 1 800 829-5720 and 202 765-1004 Same Robotic message " this call is from the Social Security Administration office my name is officer Amanda Barns and the purpose of the call we are trying to reach you to let you know that your social security number is been used for some kind fraudulent activity in the south border of Texas. So please in order go ahead get more information to speak with officer press 1, I repeat press 1. Thank you and have a great day." The 1 800 number is from a telemarketing company and the other is a cellphone associated with 9 other cell phones in the Washington DC area. Be careful lots of thieves out there.
Isaac
June 25, 2019
This person keeps on calling me about social security number like I have done somethng in Texas and never been there before in my life. The number is 844-747-3369 act like they are from the Social Security Office. I am thanking you once more in this matter. Sincerely yours, Isaac
CJ
June 25, 2019
I had them call me today with in 3 hrs 7 times. A couple times from the same number and several other times from basically the same number but different last 4 digits. It's was a robot call saying my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity. I didn't answer any of them but it was the same voicemail left over and over.
oregon
June 25, 2019
Just received a call from 615-657-9358 (Ashland City, TN) - computer voice, same script. Beware!
IY
June 25, 2019
Been getting these calls for months and today they called twice within 2 hrs. YES they are scammers
Timid
June 25, 2019
Calls from the following number says my Social Security Card has been cancelled, obviously a scam, numbers are 1(800) 001-9213 and 1(800) 020-9213. Be aware of there numbers as both my husband and I keep receiving calls from them.
BonnieSue
June 25, 2019
+1(800) 205-8048 Same Type of message, I was suppose to press 1, because my SS# was about to be suspended for suspicious activity. First off, my real name is not listed on any internet e-mail AND my SS# is not tagged to the phone number they used. soooooo? yeah, crazy stuff out there.
Aaron
June 25, 2019
got call from 8563340578 , could any one do about such frauds
Hari
June 25, 2019
I got call from 1.800.217.5761 (two times) today mentioning that there is some suspicious activity on my social security and that it my SS might be suspended, and further asked me to press 1 on the touch screen. I didn't press any button.
KEN
June 25, 2019
This is definitely a scam I've had this company called my phone for a few months now leaving messages stating that I was in jeopardy of social security scam. When you do return the call It does not go through a directory like the social security office has. The call gets automatically picked up by someone who doesn't speak English and if they hang up on you when you question them you call back you get a different person. So when the 1st representative hung up on me I called back and the 2nd person could not speak proper English at all. And I'm sure the social security office is not outsourcing to India calling from a number in Texas.
Mcpam
June 25, 2019
6/25/19 received phone message saying there was suspicious activity on my account and to call. 615 657 9458
NotFallingForIt
June 25, 2019
Just answered a call from 1-800-205-4222, it was a robotic voice giving the same info, my number has been cancelled due to criminal (or suspicious) activity, please press "1" to speak to our legal representative.
samiam
June 25, 2019
I have received several calls. A new number they are using is 202-753-0811. I have several other 202 numbers they are using and will post them later.
Annoyed
June 25, 2019
‭+1 (888) 356-8371‬ “your Social Security number is been suspected for fraudulent activities so once you get this message kindly call us back as soon as possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings against you that is 888-356-8371 I repeat 888-356-8371 thank you…”
Return to top