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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.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Blarg
September 09, 2019
I get calls from a 633-458635x number multiple times a week
Rseward
September 09, 2019
I got a call from 410 -431-1141 and was a recording saying there has been criminal activity on my social security acct.
Sarah2020
September 09, 2019
I just got exactly the same message from 1800 778-4659.
FYI
September 09, 2019
Similar calls are coming out of a New York, NY number today, September 06, 2019: 1-917-920-2510. It's not an identical call, but similar and uses the same robotic voice.
Maggie Jo
September 09, 2019
Received a strange voice mail from 281-503-4849 saying my SSN has been suspended. I called back and the man wanted the last 4 digits of my SSN and my name. I did not give it to him and assume this is a scam.
Mad
September 09, 2019
Had call I’m single disabled mom. Said from untied states on caller I’d was recording saying my ss#had been compromised and shit down to press one to talk to rep. Than it hung up. I’m on edge anyhow they take enough of our money leaving nothing to live or support our kids than scammers trying to take what little money we mite have not cool mite be in account but already spent on bills. Oh that’s right no one believes helping others anymore . Or how it not just effects that one person but there family. Don’t get caught by me!
crystal
September 09, 2019
1-800-413-2930 Just called saying my ssn was suspended to..It was a automated call
VK
September 09, 2019
I just received a voicemail from 574-966-5629. They stated the SSN was frozen due to activities..." and to get more info about this and the arrest warrant"..."there is a social Security officer waiting for your call back". Thank you for having this fraud listed on the REAL SSA webpages! I appreciate it.
Aprilrose9908@…
September 09, 2019
+1 800-045-3744 is the number that called me and when asked to verify my info gave bogus info just to see what they would say...apparently I have millions in several accounts in El Paso TX and my "SSI #" & "name" are being investigated by the Texas Fed Marshalls...also have two homes there (addresses ARE NOT even real) when questioned why nothing came up on google map search(why are you writing everything down wrong and not take it seriously & no need to search they wont come up the federal government blocked that) these people are awful thankfully I didn't fall for it.
Ghostie11
September 09, 2019
Got a phone call from the number 800 772 6525. I didn’t answer and they left a voicemail. Indian accent saying to call back and don’t disregard the message because it’s a very important matter. They never said my name or theirs so that sounds sketchy to me already.
Richard Donoso
September 09, 2019
I've been getting the same calls all day today. 9-9-19 . I don't like that date number. It's just weird. Weirder than that is I start getting these creepy calls on that day too! And I have downloaded the call from my voicemail to a flash drive. *BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES ',:•€>*
jool
September 09, 2019
They are calling Canadian numbers as well. Didn't leave a message, but number is 1 800-112-8779. We receive various calls from ever changing numbers saying that Revenue Canada is starting legal action against you if you don't get a lawyer and call the number left. Revenue Canada does not do this. They have to send proper correspondence. Generally they target the elderly. Scum
Chris L
September 09, 2019
Just received this exact automated message in a phone call from phone number 1-800-853-7789. I did not find that this number is associated with the social security offices in the state of GA.
Mr Robdog
September 09, 2019
scam number to look out for 1866-964-7584
Sim wang
September 09, 2019
Fraud phone number; +1 (800) 772-7050
DIGDUG
September 09, 2019
IRS scam Phone number 866-453-8019. Beware. Repeats as of late. They fail miserably.
kswp
September 09, 2019
Just received this call from 567-245-6169
Jackie
September 09, 2019
Scam, Imposter This is the second call I have received this month. Both were the same. They have frozr my social security card because there has been fraudulent activity on my account. I need to call this number 504-434-7660, as soon as possible to get it straightened out. I had read that this was a scam so after the first call started, I hung up. This call, I listened for the directions and phone number. I did get scammed another way, I'm going to put that out there.
Tired of bogus calls
September 09, 2019
888-608-7276 called, said click #1 to schedule delivery of a package. Otherwise I would be in violation of a law. I hung up. Caller I'D said UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
Heather Salomon
September 09, 2019
Just received another scam call same message about my SSN being suspended and an arrest warrant being issued if I do not contact them. New number this time 512-972-4190. Beware and be safe all
aj413
September 10, 2019
I have just fell victim to this exact scam, they had information of past cars I had driven and they had found, I was given a case number and the name of two officers that were lined up to visit me the following day and but as I got off the 2 hour phone call and look up the names of the officers both were names of officers killed in the line of duty in the past year. These people continued to give me specific personal information about myself.
Dave T
September 10, 2019
I received the same scam call from 800-777-2038
Bham MI
September 10, 2019
Just got scam Social Security call from 866.020.7134
Joan
September 10, 2019
Sept 10 2019 My call came from this scammers number 1-844-325-4225, a SSI scam number. I never answer any of the calls. I automatically block them.
Neomama
September 11, 2019

In reply to by Joan

Yup same call a few min ago
Chimpy
September 10, 2019
I got a message from the number (667)679-8734. telling me that my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity?
Isaac
September 10, 2019
I got the same call and instantly knew it was a scam, honestly it's obvious now, I have had many calls like this, so I got used to it.
Martylafl
September 10, 2019
I got one call yesterday and THREE today! All from supposed (spoofed?) 1800 numbers. The phone companies need to stop the ability to spoof a number! They have the technology, why don't they protect us?!?! Scammer from foreign countries are daily trying to defraud us. Make it stop.
djewl
September 10, 2019
has anyone got a call like this from a 610-456-1038 number? they said i had a warrant in texas and if i did not give them my social they were going to send police to my house they had my address and everything? I told him i was not giving him my social
MegansKnees333
September 10, 2019
I just got a call today with the message: “To suspend your Social Security number on my immediate basis as we have received suspicious trails of information with your Social Security _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ the moment you receive this message you need to get back to us to avoid legal consequences to connect call immediately press one…” I did not answer as I have received these calls before and they sounded fishy to me so I would always hang up. I googled the number and it led me here.
Jack
September 10, 2019
Just got the same call from 1-833-324-2537. Indian accent saying he was with Social security administration.
Joanne
September 27, 2019

In reply to by Jack

I also received a call from the same number 833 324-2537 on the same day, Sept. 10, 2019 which had gone to my voicemail. It was an automated voice telling me to call back, else they’ll bring legal proceedings against me. I did not call back and blocked this number.
Ava
September 10, 2019
I’ve received several calls in the past 2 days from a couple days f different 800 numbers with that same message. I’ve answered a couple accidentally, but don’t answer them anymore. This last one was 1-800-319-1358. Every time I block the caller they call on a different number.
Don't Frannyus…
September 10, 2019
They just called and tried to scare me into thinking I was going to jail and he was the attending officer. I asked if I could just go to my local office and he said that they would have no record of it. He said that it is under close scrutiny and only their high level office is aware of it. That my local as office would NOT be aware. I told him, no thanks buddy, I'll take my chances, y'all can come arrest me or whatever you need to do. He quickly hung up on me. Then I checked Google going this thread. Here's the phone no I was called from: 1-410-339-1944. It could be a Baltimore MD phone no? But most likely a robo caller.
jay211
September 10, 2019
I received this call today from 1-800-334-6759. It was the same recording about my social was going to be canceled if i didn't press 1 to speak with someone. I'm in Miami Fl .
sally
September 10, 2019
two calls within a three hour time frame 1-800-705-2283 and 1-800-682-7649
Cuco
September 10, 2019
I just get one of this call asking for my social number. This is my first call in 9 years in Canada. Where’s the police? Here is the number ‭1 (226) 240-3051‬
Anonymous
September 10, 2019
They just called my mom with this number 844 336 2610. Almost the same prompt but a female robot voice. Be aware, be vigilant.
Alex's Mom
September 10, 2019
I just received one of these robo-calls from Waco, TX: 254.523.0059. When I called back, just to see if this was legitimate, the rep's name was Amy Weber. When I asked if this was above board, she ended the call.
SOI
September 10, 2019
Add to the list: 515 -212-6497 Boone, Iowa. If you don’t recognize the number don’t answer, let it go to voicemail. If scam, block it.
Mstr_W
September 10, 2019
Just got a call, actually multiple calls over this last week from 1-800-517-9563, 1-800-773-0165, 1-800-778-2213, 1-800-707-4788, 1-800-892-2253, 1-800-528-4800, 1-800-892-4357
Rachel Ray
September 10, 2019
I have received two of these calls now. The voicemail says that my social will be suspended unless I pursue further action. The number was 1-800-059-2820.
didnotfallforit
September 10, 2019
I received three (3) scam calls today re SSN and threatening "legal action" if I don't call them. The numbers are: (855)-832-4453; (832)-210-1893; and (800)-794-0669.
Anon
September 10, 2019
1(833)058-7778 is a number used by the scammer as of 9/10/2019
TK
September 10, 2019
Have been getting multiple calls from Hawaii phone number 808-213-7087 Saying legal action will be taken against my SSN called back and started questioning them instantly hang up. Just wanted to add another number out there that they are using.
Mathew_59
September 10, 2019
Same social security Scam called from this number +1 888-243-6531
NL
September 10, 2019
I just received (9-10-19) same type of call with female voice, from same 800-991-9794.
Indie
September 10, 2019
Today I received two phone calls from 617-329-9112, Winthrop, MA. Both left a message (from Jacob) telling me they were from the head Social Security office and illegal activities with my ss#. If i did not call him back at their paralegal office, my assests will be seized. I blocked the number. I’m sure I’ll get another number calling me soon.
UsernameSSI
September 10, 2019
Just this week I got calls from all the below numbers stating that my ss# was compromised. 800-631-4095 800-589-7427 800-303-7358 800-518-6840 800-821-1954 213-201-8471 888-587-1368
Arkley
September 11, 2019
Why isn't the government doing anything to stop these criminals? They are breaking the law with every call that falsely represents the US Government. Trusting, hard working people are falling for these scams destroying not only our trust in government but our trust in each other as well. The moral fiber of our society is at risk here.