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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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Social Security Impersonators
Annoyed1111
August 20, 2019
Got a new call today from ‭(202) 788-9331‬. Scammers are annoying. Block all calls from this or any number claiming fraud on your ssn. And please educate those around you of the scams.
Disgusted and …
August 20, 2019
In the last 12 hours I have received 2 voicemails telling me that my number (not stating SSN - just "number") is being suspended and that an arrest warrant has been issued under my name and to "press 1" to speak with an officer - I repeat, to know more about the case press one... Came from numbers: 888-444-2456 & 386-216-7397 (Orange City, FL) This is a little disheartening when you are at work and all of a sudden hear something like this and have to step away to get your bearings and confirm that this is, in fact, fraudulent.
Just Being Me
August 20, 2019
In the last 12 hours I have received 2 voicemails telling me that my number (not stating SSN - just "number") is being suspended and that an arrest warrant has been issued under my name and to "press 1" to speak with an officer - I repeat, to know more about the case press one... Came from numbers: 888-444-2456 & 386-216-7397 (Orange City, FL) This is a little disheartening when you are at work and all of a sudden hear something like this and have to step away to get your bearings and confirm that this is, in fact, fraudulent.
Donna9to5
August 20, 2019
I am getting spam calls that say; Lawsuit against you and arrest warrant has been filed under your name due to a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for frozen activities to get more information about this case and arrest warrant from federal database please call on 680-888-9510. I repeat 680-888-9510. Social security deputy officer waiting for your call back.
sadaga
August 20, 2019
19202340315 Depositing new message By the drug enforcement agency and the police station. I want you or your attorney to give us a call back on 920-234-0315. I repeat the call back number did be ... of the social security administration department is 920-234-0315. Do not disregard this message and call back immediately as this is a very serious matter. Goodbye.. Click here: 13608424015 to listen to full voice message.
Traveler
August 21, 2019
I just received a voicemail claiming a very serious matter regarding my social security number. (8/21/19). The caller left this as the call back number. 586-636-3389
T_haa
August 21, 2019
08/21/2019 I have received several calls from this number saying that I charges filled against me due to social security fraudulent . They keep saying press one for more information. What should I do ?
test
August 21, 2019
I got a call from 800-775-1213 saying my SSN was involved in criminal activities. And then they had the "Police Department" (caller ID) calling me confirming this. They said I would get a warrant against me if I didn't send my savings to a government safeguard account which is oversea. I went to the police station near me to verify if this was a scam and they said it was.
Jake.b
August 21, 2019
I received a call from washington dc, (202) for that said in a poor prerecorded call saying, “SSA is filing a lawsuit on me for fraudulent activities and to press one to resolve now” but i’m 13 and I don’t conduct any “fraudulent activity” the number was 202-737-1487
Steve Munce
August 22, 2019
I have received a battery of bot SSN calls the other day stating that my SSN has been suspended. They used numbers 844-95-5045, 855-081-7063, 866-464-600, 866-949-1821 & 866-395-9923. After they started to show I just let them go to voicemail. The bot was not wise enough to stop the recording which surprised me.
Breonna 09
August 22, 2019
Got a call from a area code of 646 , I look and found out it's a NY area code, said my SS was used for money laundering and drug trafficking, it was a lady who called.please help me, I have never been to Texas
Jlovell
August 22, 2019
Recieved a call regarding it being their second attempt to reach me(not really) saying if i chose to ignore them then legal proceesings would ensue. Number was +1-254-382-0060
Scoop
August 22, 2019
I got two calls today stating that they were from the SSA and that I was going to be arrested because of fraudulent activity with my SSN and to press 1 to speak to an officer. The number was a Washington DC number of 202-737-9705. Of course, I hung up but then they called me right back from another number.
Fraud victim
August 23, 2019
I receive a call from +1800 058 8911 saying your SSN is suspended. So they connect me to real person and they ask me for my name that’s sit they hang up. Am i in danger?
-
August 23, 2019
I received a call from 207 636 7438 indicating SSN number is involved with fraudulent activity and asking for call back.
JJ
August 23, 2019
Received recorded call from 210-610-9850 San Antonio, TX telling to call that number back before they start legal proceeding against me. Claim to be from SSA. Received the call 4 times over 2 days.
John M
August 27, 2019
I got a call on 08/27/19 from ph#:774-612-2635 stating enforcement actions filed on my SSN.
sick of these calls
August 27, 2019
I just received a call from Florida 1-850-266-9545 saying my SSN was associated with a fraudulent criminal act that i was being sued and that a warrant has been issued for my arrest .
Richard Cone
August 27, 2019
Got a call from 1-800-997-2802 saying the I would loose the social security benefits if i dont call them back immediately. They said the call is from Social Security Department from Baltimore. Its funny that I have claimed any Social Security Benefits, so already knew this was a scammer. They didnt have a answer of why they are calling me. The guy on the phone had heavy Indian. accent. Upon asking his designation he claimed he was an officer. I told him I will give a complaint against this scam. He started talking in Hindi as he knew I was Indian too. Beware of these scammers!!
Lmtb
August 27, 2019
707-275-6120 Scammers from out of Caliornia!
Bead
August 27, 2019
(312)500-6695. Claim Could be from Social Security office and they’re suspending my Social Security because of a the lawsuit.
Concerned for …
August 27, 2019
Just received this message: “Hello this call is an official final notice from Social Security administration the reason of this call is to inform you our department has decided to suspend your Social Security number and file a lawsuit against you as we have received and suspicious activity on your social to get more information please call on our department number 219-961-2352 I repeat 219-961-2352 thank you…”
Juboo
August 27, 2019
I think it is ridiculous that with all this technology that nobody can find a way to find these people and charge them with these harassment calls. The criminals find a way into our personal life. The government can track as if they want to. But No One can stop this. To me it is harassment I am 62 they scare the daylights out of me.
geecee
September 03, 2019

In reply to by Juboo

A person called identifying himself or herself as a Social Security personnel indicating my SSN was suspended because it was involved in 8 credit card fraud accounts, 1 auto car loan in which the vehicle was involved in possession of 20 lbs. of illegal drugs, and blood was also in the vehicle. The person asked for my name, which I gave them a fake one, asked for my zip code (fake one provided), bank names (fake one provided) amount in my checking and savings (fake amounts provided) and the last 4 of my ssn (fake one provided). With all the fake information i provided, the perpetrators "found' me in their system. She transferred to another line to speak with a “higher" officer. This person gave their 'badge Id" and their name as Officer Harry (an Indian/Pakistan Accent detected). "Officer Harry" said the line monitored by IRS, FBI, and CIA because of the suspicious money involvement in the case, but would allow me to clear up the misunderstanding for a fee. At this point, I told him i needed to go back to work as my lunch was ending. The person attempted to keep me on the line, to which, i told him I would need to ask my boss if i could continue on the line based on the circumstances. Officer Harry started to sound agitated and said i was not to let anyone know of the details of the conversation and say it was a personal call. I told the person i was not comfortable "lying" to my boss and would call back instead to continue to the case details. "Officer Harry" offered to call be back after work. I told him i would call him back as i had all the details of the case and would "hire a lawyer" to represent me since there was a warrant out for my arrest. Please share this story with you audience so that people are aware of all the scary tactics these individuals use to ascertain their authority and thus "pay" to clear up alleged charges. Thank you
Kgymnast1
September 06, 2019

In reply to by geecee

Oh my gosh your story is crazier than mine! I was told that my Social Security was being used by two people in Texas for tens of thousands of dollars of transactions to Mexico and Columbia for illegal drugs and that there was a warrant out for my arrest! But oh my God, to go as far as to say that there is blood on the vehicle?!! These people are unbelievable!
Kgymnast1
September 06, 2019

In reply to by Juboo

I know, right?! Somehow these people are using technology to use the actual Social Security number to call us from but we can’t figure out how to stop them! Unbelievable
Not a fool
August 27, 2019
Got a text saying my debit card from Suntrust had be put on a security hold please call for verification. I do not and have not ever had an account with suntrust bank. Beware
JohnDoe
August 28, 2019
Here are two more phone numbers told the person to remove this number and the told me to shut up with a foreign accent 1-646-3972432 and 1 469-814-9134
Ubumeme9
August 28, 2019
I am getting calls that they from s.s. that I am fraudulent claims and they want my s..s # going to send a sheriff out to arrest me. His name is Henry Walker gave me a badge # . I need to get it out if my truck. Can someone help me
goofy
August 29, 2019
I also continue to get calls telling me my number has been compromised or my benefits will have a lein put on them
Jeffraynor
August 29, 2019
He was a new scam that happened today they called me up saying that I was being criminally investigated by the social security administration and the number they gave me is 210-610-9873 when I called them it was obvious they will call me from another country they had foreign accents and they told me to do something sexually when I told them I know who they are.
stolen
August 29, 2019
my mom got a call and she ignored it and then she decline 3 times then 5 times she picked and they said SSN Office and then she said she wants a translator in Urdu and they told her that she has arrest warrant for not paying money for 2 houses in Texas (she never visited texas or she wouldn't buy any houses cuz my dad is the person to take decision for loans or money stuff )so she got scared and she went to target and got gifts-card of 2 Million dollars and they asked her for the access code and she gave them (because she got scared and they said don't tell anyone its a secret she said i would say to my husband why would I not then she knew that they were scammers and but till then she lost them money but the FBI and Chicago Police tracked that number theirs is a case filed. and when she was getting money in the gift-card they were on the phone for 2 hours 59 minutes they said don't talk anyone one in the shop (target).
KatieDarling
August 29, 2019
Just got this call from a number in Washington. Just a recorded line. “This call is from the legal department of social security administration your Social Security number has been suspended and we have filed a case under your name so before this matter goes to Federal claims court house for you to get arrested kindly press one I repeat press one…”
SSF
August 29, 2019
I have received, just today, 7 phone calls, all leaving the same voicemail message: "This is to inform you that your social security number is being suspended and there is an arrest warrant being issued under your name. To talk to an officer, press one. I repeat, to know more about the case, press one." SEVEN CALLS in a span of 6 hours! Stop the SPAM insanity!
ShakeMyHead
August 29, 2019
(941) 217-2819 Keeps calling, recorded message saying my SSN used in crime, if I don't call them back they will prosecute. Whatever. Shut these people down! The phone companies make millions off these scammers, they should be held responsible.
Don't usDEe yo…
August 29, 2019
Received auto mated call from #915-213-7925 telling me SS Admin. has detected illegal activity with my SS#. Instructed to call back number above immediately too avoid them moving forward with criminal prosecution. I know it's a scam but, I called back & a man with a definite middle eastern accent answered & id'd only as "social security administration" I just hung up & blocked the number.
Pam in Joplin
August 30, 2019
this number - 240-137-1607 - just called saying they were from the Social Security Admin. It is a scam
annoyed
August 30, 2019
I received another ssn scam call from 855-059-5092. Number is nonexistent in the white pages reverse phone lookup.
Annoyed
August 30, 2019
I’ve received four calls in last 2 hours, a recording this is SSA your cards been suspended due to fraudulent activity- I keep hanging up and blocking number but keeps rolling to a new number.
Ronin Dax
September 02, 2019
Got a call from (9)432-582-3167 saying suspicious activity on y SSN and was suspended, call back on a different number and enter last 4 of SSN
Uthaya
September 03, 2019
I got a call from this number +18884090561 last friday (8/30/2019) and again today from different number +18884439899 saying that my social security number is blocked and i will lose all benefits if i don't respond immediately
willy
September 03, 2019
just received a call that said my social security number has just suspended my number. they said they were from the social security administration. He said to respond by pressing#1, which i did not. the telephone number that was called from was 8008246055
Carman
September 03, 2019
i received a female recording call voice mail from 18338888331 stating to contact them call the back saying that that my social security number may have been used for fraudulent purposes.
SGATES
September 03, 2019
I got a call from  Logix Communications Corporation - TX 469-708-0662 saying I have a warrant.. Fake call!!
Nae nae
September 03, 2019
I got a v m on my phone saying that my social security # has been suspended and iam to press 1 to talk to the officer for my case..
ggiebler
September 04, 2019
I have been getting calls from the background sounds a very busy office. The caller also gives me a badge number and calls themselves officers. They go through the speel and then ask me for my SSN. I told them well you called me and you have my number to which they call me very bad things before i hang up. The accent sound middle eastern.
Molleygirl2009
September 04, 2019
I received a call stating that my ssn was used in fraudulent activity and I am being sued and there is a warrant for my arrest. If I would like more info to contact the federal data Base. It was an automated call. I don't know what to believe. Should I further find out? Or is this another scam?
sunil
September 04, 2019
512 974 5284 got call from this. probably is fraud
Christen
September 04, 2019
This just happened to me an hour ago, exactly what you described he said with the scare tactic of illegal activity being used under my name with drugs and money laundering! I became suspicious, so I asked if I could speak face to face about this matter and he got very angry at me. The case worker, DEA officer, and manager all sounded the same, so he didn't even attempt to change his accent. Th The number they used are (718) 210-1727 for the social security administration and 1-513-217-9490 for the DEA number. I hope this never happens to anyone else, because it was very scary!
Zud the Asparagus
September 04, 2019
800-665-3402 called today. It was a SSS scammer, but the interesting thing is the ringtone I use for known contacts I have stored was used. How hey did that is beyond me.
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