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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.

Search Terms
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
hpineros
August 12, 2019
Another number 800-416-2128
Doc
August 12, 2019
5123578134is a number that keeps calling me about my ss number
Candyjoc
August 12, 2019
I just got a call from Washington, D.C. saying my ssn was being cancelled. It sound like someone from India, and I could hear other people talking. The number is 202-738-4661
Lucas
August 12, 2019
twice today I got a call from 226-240-3438
Bob B
August 12, 2019
I've gotten the same type scam calls claiming to be either the IRS or SSA. I've found if you return the call right away and tell them you know it's a scam and you're going to report them they hang up immediately and the calls stop for about 6 months.
Scam
August 12, 2019
Got a call from 800-612-9109 about my SS number being suspended forever due to suspicious activity. I get these calls 4 or 5 times a day. Thought I should share another phone number they have been using.
MA
August 12, 2019
just got this same message but on a voicemail message, and phone number on caller was (877)769-0959
asdfghj
August 12, 2019
8008217983 same message, another number
MissC
August 12, 2019
I just got a call from a number listed as 588-350-9859. I did not answer because I’ve been getting a lot of scam calls lately. They left a voicemail saying that my social security has been suspended and that they have detected some suspicious activity and to call them back. I deleted the voicemail and absolutely did not call back!
S
August 12, 2019
Got a voice mail from 1-677-210-6854 saying that my ssn is suspended because of suspicious activity and asking to call back. It's a scam.
SK
August 12, 2019
Got a voice mail from 1-677-210-6854 saying that my ssn is suspended due to suspicious activities and asked to call back. It's a scam.
JMac
August 12, 2019
I received a call from 1 (844) 315-6620 stating they were from SSA and my social security number was going to be suspended. I hung up then. These scammers and constant robo- callers are so invasive. I use my phone at work and these calls a huge distraction.
HThommes
August 12, 2019
And the calls keep coming! I now have over 500 numbers on my blocked caller list. How can this be stopped?
t
August 12, 2019
303 325 5484
Bugged216
August 12, 2019
I have received three calls today from: (865)424-4922 and (865)840-2226
daisy_sue
August 12, 2019
Caller came from 903-045-2022. This isn't even a legit #. Left same recorded voicemail (partial) about SS# being suspended.
Sophie58Don't …
August 12, 2019
You can add another number to the growing list - 800-884-1751!
Mkent
August 12, 2019
Received 2 calls today from ‭+1 (281) 819-3347‬ informing me my SS number was comprised- I googled the number and It’s a scam - no kidding.! These people think we are idiots
DPCA
August 12, 2019
I received a sophisticated robo-call from 800-821-7983 today telling me that my SSA benefits have been suspended for fraudulent activity and that legal proceedings will follow -- TWICE IN ONE DAY! Since I am currently having my benefits set up this is an obvious fraudulent call.
Rupert V
August 12, 2019
I just got the second call from scammers saying my SS has been suspended due to suspicious activity. They bothered to leave messages both times.
Rhb1065
August 12, 2019
588-407-9865 message left your SSI number has been canceled. FAKE SCAM
DF
August 12, 2019
I received a call from 1-800-299-8140 claiming to be from Social Security. They left a voicemail saying my social security number would be blocked, I had to call in order for them to unblock it.
SG
August 12, 2019
They are attempting to hide their number now as local-looking ones. My cell phone carrier, AT&T, is really trying to help crack down in these calls. When my phone rings, the caller ID reads "SCAM RISK", and even shows their real number and not the one they use as a disguise. For instance, they have an 800 number, but they hide it as a local area code number to make it seem more legitimate. Its also highly illegal for them to do. I have answered once before, and it is just a recording (that starts in the middle of its own sentence) saying somthing about "social security fraud" and "you have a warrant". I PROMISE YOU, the police will NEVER give you a courtesy call/warning about a warrant. If they did, they'd never catch the people that actually do have warrants. They don't want actual criminals to have time to pick up and run. THAT'S why they don't do that. Rest assure, it is a scam.
JD
August 12, 2019
Unfortunately the SSA's OIG makes it extremely difficult to report these cases online, especially with the abundance of these calls coming in so frequently for some people. It requires you to fill out pages and pages of information to report a single number and most users will just ignore the calls and not report the issue rather than spending so much effort to fill out those fraud report forms. The SSA needs a better and more efficient way to allow users to report this so they can take action and the FCC needs to implement rules on carriers that would limit international fraudsters from obtaining 800 numbers in the first place.
Hambone
August 12, 2019
I got a call today from 9107763918, tabor city North Carolina. Said my ssn was suspended. I wasted about a half hour of this guys time. Just like I do the car warranty people. I gave him a fake name, fake address and fake last 4 of my ssn number. He told me my name and number where used to rent a car in Texas and blah blah blah, and if I didn’t cooperate I would be arrested etc etc etc. At the end I told him that if he was from America he’d know your ssn can’t be suspended. I just like wasting their time. I’m driving all day so I have plenty of time to annoy the telemarketers. God knows they annoy me, I get at least 3 calls a day
torenvanbaren
November 06, 2019

In reply to by Hambone

Sounds like a waste of your time, that dude is just doing his job so any time spent for him is time he's getting paid. Although you could look at it as giving him less time and opportunity to call people that might buy into it, or better yet causing him to be worse at his job as he becomes somewhat emotional or angry. So thanks.
Susan J
August 13, 2019
Yesterday two calls within two minutes, two voice messaged from 800-787-9375. Do not EVER call back or pay attention. SS would send a letter!
Putanendtoscams
August 13, 2019
Received call from 518-478-8412 stating to call immediately before legal action is taken.
Sue
August 13, 2019
I've received 4 calls with the same message from 4 different phone numbers in 24 hours. Blocked the calls. My business partner who's phone number is one digit different than mine, has gotten the same calls from the different phone numbers.
norobots.txt
August 13, 2019
A message was left on my answering machine today (8-13-2019) about 10 AM. An obviously synthetic voice claimed to be a human called "Officer Marie Gomez" working at the SSA. Apparently, my SS number was "suspended due to some reasons." No threat of arrest, just a number to call: 214-308-2239 (a search locates that in Frisco, TX). "She" sounded pretty tired; I think they're losing their enthusiasm. I think I can wait them out.
db73
August 13, 2019
I just got an automated call from 853-741-5753 saying my social security number had been suspended due to fraudulent activity and to press 1 to hear more about this! I just sat there for a few seconds without doing anything and the call was terminated!
oldgoat
August 13, 2019
I just auto-forward the number to the local Social Security Office.
Jo Cam11 use y…
August 13, 2019
I was called today from an automated voice saying they were from HMRC stating that a fraud had been found against my name the number was 0300 I have had numerous calls starting with 0300 once answered it then goes dead please beware I looked the numbers up on line and that not affiliated to HMRC
rcz
August 13, 2019
Received a call from 470 401 2510 from a supposed collection company stating that I owed $110 to a name I couldn't understand. Sounded like an India accent. I hung up and didn't hear the rest of his bull.
South Florida
August 13, 2019
New number called me yesterday and today saying it was suspended. Number is 1-800-725-7939
will not fall …
August 13, 2019
phone number 1-833-391-3770 is a scammers number. They identify themselves as the SSA and it is not the SSA. They say they are opening a criminal investigation. Hang up and do not tell them anything. They are bad people....
Alison R
August 13, 2019
Just received a call with the same script. Please add this number as well 786-625-4410
ccman13
August 13, 2019
Ok ... Here's another # that called me today claiming to be "Social Security"... 1-470-398-1440
Fed up
August 13, 2019
Yesterday mine and my husband both got calls. Mine was on VM said arrest warrant and his he answered and said number suspended. Numbers were 440-476-4727 and 888-075-8276. Did not respond to either one.
Viaspen
August 13, 2019
I have received three phone calls from ‭+1 (800) 217-6585‬ ‭ and 1 (800) 968-2134‬ saying the following: your social security number Will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect to the administration in order to connect for the Social Security administration officer press one now case we did not hear from you your social will be like to come in to connect with the officer now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern department did not receive any _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ citizen in order to speak with Social Security personal regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect…”
Debbie
August 13, 2019
Just received a call from 1-253-387-8341 from Puyallup, Wa. saying that a warrant has been issued for my arrest for fraudulent activity with the SSA Dept. And to press 1 to speak to the case officer. This went to my voice mail and it was not a person it was let from an automated machine. I did not call back. If SSA wants me they know where to find me.
EE23
August 13, 2019
I received a call and voicemail from 1-844-200-8734 saying my social security number is being sued and I need to call back to confirm and set it straight. SCAM!!!!
Priscilla Najera
August 13, 2019
called back the number just to call back and they sound like they are of Indian descent and it sounds like a call center in the background. The person asked for my entire social security number for "verification" and I told them I can just do the last 4 for verification so I can see what it is that they are talking about. They insisted on my entire number but I told them I can do the last 4 and the person said "no, no honey thank you goodbye."
MsTiffanyTX
August 13, 2019
1-800-688-9105, I just received an auto recording from this number that my social security and benefits would be suspended due to suspicious activity. I know for a fact that the SSA does several ways of communication to let you know hey are trying to contact you if here was an issue: by phone asking you to give the reference number of your correspondence, by mail, and several notices. I knew this was a hoax because I’ve heard of it before. Just thought I’d post on here too to let people know it is still happening.
adam
August 13, 2019
Received a call from scammer 800-050-0961. they have last 4 digit of my social security number. the person I spoke with , gave me his badge number and told me he is from Social security administration and i must transfer all the money I have from my bank account to gift card from Target store. They also told me my bank accounts will be frozen from tomorrow and new social security number will be send next week.
hjen3@aol.com
August 13, 2019
‭+1 (856) 425-8153‬ Received a call from this number just a moment ago saying the same thing on that recording.
SheeShell
August 13, 2019
Twice left mesaage 9n Voicemail saying I will be arrested if I don't calll back..I know this is a Scam
Caught them
August 13, 2019
‭+1 (415) 970-5432‬ You can reach the scammers at that number. It will say Dallas Menro if they forward your call but most of the time they answer. If you try to talk to them they will immediately hang up
Gigi
August 13, 2019
Leaving messages saying ss number compromised illegally. Will be suspended if not delete with. Need to talk to an investigator. Calls from 800-684-4038
ConcernedCitizen
August 13, 2019
Got a call from "8000343435" saying my SSN has been flag for number of suspicions activities in Texas and other states. They wanted my DOB, SSN, & Address details.
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