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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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Shopping and Donating
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Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
Harley
September 04, 2019
I just got a very simliar call to this article from 312-500-6984. Obvious recording - "This is a final attempt to reach you to resolve this issue immediately. Please call us back on 312-500-6984 to speak with a federal agent. I repeat, 312-500-6984. Thank you." I've gotten five of these calls in the last three or so days from different numbers. Something needs to be done to shut these people down.
Lisa
September 04, 2019
Jsut happened to me, with phone number 1-866-544-5450
LindaSue
September 04, 2019
I have received two similar calls - saying that my SS account has been suspended for suspicious activity. The calls have come from (800) 238-7622 and 800-577-3101. I listened to the full recording before hanging up.
gadelf
September 04, 2019
I received 2 scam calls today and the numbers used are international numbers. Still a recording tho on a loop. This was 1 incoming number 011 800 3352 8012
sesty
September 04, 2019
I just received a call from number 800-871-2575. Indicating that my SSN have been compromised and that it will be inactivated. Be ware of this number and current calls going on that are not legitimate.
sesty
September 04, 2019
I just received a call from number 800-871-2575. Indicating that my SSN have been compromised and that it will be inactivated. Be ware of this number and current calls going on that are not legitimate.
resident San J…
September 04, 2019
here is the number they dialed from to call me 1800-980-4469.
Cathy
September 04, 2019
Someone called my mother around 5:30 pm trying to her social security number saying they was social security administration and some suspicious activity was going on with her card and when i told them they wasn't social security because they ask questions. He hung up, but I could hear a lot of people talking to others like a telemarketing. Somebody need to bust this operation cause my mother is elderly and this is the only income she has coming in. She's so afraid that they will swipe out all her money and I pray that this want happen. Thanks concerned citizens.
newer
September 04, 2019
Just received a scam SS call from 833-888-8331
Anotherone
September 04, 2019
New call same BS ‭+1 (781) 219-0241‬
EnriK
September 04, 2019
I get this text messaje and many phone calls. 18005558322 Depositing new message We have been forced to suspend your social security number within(?) fact due to the all your social benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is Ginger you may connect with fellow(?) social security administration. In order to connect with a social security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the office or now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern departments. We did not receive any impact to our 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.. Click here: 14699825000 to listen to full voice message.
Naive & Fooled
September 06, 2019

In reply to by EnriK

A man called me this afternoon saying that he was from the Social Security administration office. He told me that he was an officer and that there was a warrant out for my arrest! He told me that two people in Texas were using my Social Security number for tens of thousands of dollars the purchases to and from Mexico in Columbia. That it was for illegal drugs and since it was mice Social Security number that the warrant was out for my arrest – although it was not me making these purchases obviously. I got so scared and was very naïve, he asked me for the The last four digits of my Social Security number which I gave him! I’m very nervous about that. He also asked me about my Chase bank account and my Discover card account. He was asking me what the limit on my Discover card was, I tried informing him that I was $1000 over my limit I had to explain that to him three times, which made me very suspicious. Then he asked me how much money I had in my Chase account, unfortunately I have -$95 in there, which I also told him The last four digits of my Social Security number which I gave him! I’m very nervous about that. He also asked me about my Chase bank account and my Discover Card account. He was asking me what the limit on my Discover card was, I tried informing him that I was $1000 over my limit I had to explain that to him three times, which made me very suspicious. Then he asked me how much money I had in my Chase account, unfortunately I have -$95 in there, which I also told him Because I thought it was real he made me so nervous about it! I also thought it was real because he gave me a case number, his name and badge number and the arrest warrant number. He called from the telephone number 866–2 17–8642. He told me my SSA case Number was 19FMC107. He told me his name was Officer Glensmits. He told me his bad Nici number was 02840175. And then he told me my arrest warrant number was 02954698. I don’t know if any of this information will help out, but I hope it does! This is very scary and unbelievable that people are doing this to others! This guy had me on the phone in tears over the situation that I naïvely at first thought was real! After filing my intuition, the first red flag was his very strong Indian accent. The second red flag was him not understanding that I was over my credit card limit. So I looked up online if people could call pretending to be SSA employees and found an article basically explaining a recent scam and it was exactly what happened to me! Oh yes and he said that my Social Security number was being used by two different people in Texas. I feel so foolish for giving him the last four of my social but fortunately I’m so broke I don’t think I’ll have any interest in getting into my bank accounts.
Dumb
September 16, 2019

In reply to by Naive & Fooled

I too just received a call from a woman calling herself BETTY TAYLOR. She had called from 1(800)601-8874. Claiming to me all that was in your description. Also said my warrant number was 02954698....
Dumb
March 23, 2021

In reply to by Naive & Fooled

I experienced the same thing same case number same badger number , Did they use your account are you okay !
confusit
September 04, 2019
I just received a phone call from 1-228-300-3822. I was advised that my SS# will be suspended because there is a fraud. Of course I noticed that it is an scam.
Acr687
September 04, 2019
I get these calls ALL the time blowing up my voicemail. It doesn't bother me but the first red flag was calling me from 800 numbers without any of the numbers mentioned twice in the caller ID. Working in fraud for 4 years, these scams are basic. Be careful!
Nickokc
September 04, 2019
760-290-7198 Recieved Sept 4, 2019 Stated it was the social security office, that fraudulent activity has been detected on my social security number, please call... The recording was very slow, a woman's voice. I know this is a scan. I would get a letter if something were wrong. I looked up the number on Google. It shows as a social security scam number Beware
DoggO
September 05, 2019
My daughter just recieved a scam call from a south Florida number (561) 972-3852. She's young and naive about these things, but had the good sense to contact me. We're on it and have contacted SS . Educate your kids! Educate your kids!!!
Arizona Consumer
September 05, 2019
Just received a call from 216-350-3959 which asked for a call back with a specific case number to prevent my card's suspension due to criminal activity. They did not identify themselves by any organization OIG or SS....
Dee NotmyIdentity
September 05, 2019
This 800.629.6902 has been calling me for three months now. I was getting ready to call SSA department, until I ran across this site. It is so many scammer out there, just be careful and do your own research don't give people your information.
Random Guy
September 05, 2019
1-800-888-1014 is the number that called me. September 5th, 2019
josh
September 05, 2019
Just get a fraud call for SSN. The number is 888-187-1845.
Sam A
September 05, 2019
Got a call from 8006546578 claiming SSA and that there are suspicious activities and for me to call it ...of course this is fake and dangerous please be aware do not answer
Nictho54
September 05, 2019
Sept 5/19: Just got called from this number at 1:13. Thankfully I found it suspicious and did not press 1 to connect to anyone. Fraud is a new profession for many, apparently.
Diane
September 05, 2019
I just got a call like this from 800-314-0487 I want to report is so that someone that is naive to scams doesn't get caught in believing this.
concerned citizen
September 05, 2019
I just got it too. FTC, perhaps you could add some kind of super simple survey counter. If 35K people bothered to report this, there are probably over a million calls. Why isnt this kind of junk not being prosecuted, it'd be so easy to do this day and age to fish them. Set up a scam forwarding number and an openly available phone service that fwds suspected scams to the FTC, then the FTC only needs to pick up the phone on one or two occasions and drag the scammers in. An undergrad CS student could set that up for you.
Colorado Judge
September 05, 2019
I got one of these calls this morning. The number was (468) 545-3010. It said not only that my SSN was "suspended" but that there was a warrant for my arrest! I was supposed to press 1 to speak with them about it, but of course I did not.
Green
September 05, 2019
I had this number call me this morning 1-800-450-1957
LI Live
September 05, 2019
Just got the scam-call #1-202-790-4567
Andrew
September 05, 2019
Just received a call from (800) 303 - 0242 related to a similar scam. DON'T GIVE THEM ANYTHING.
DEJC
September 05, 2019
972-752-7700 - SS robocall
From NC
September 05, 2019
Add (888) 156-7265 to the list.
TK
September 05, 2019
Just got one of these from 1-800-395-6137. I was in a weird mood, so I pressed 1 to speak to “Officer Alex Lawrence” (who spoke with a possibly Russian accent) and played along for about 10 minutes which is time they cant call someone else. The call ended when he figured out I was messing with him and he told me he was sending the US Marshals to arrest me. He also told me what they would do to me in prison. I’m not mad at these anymore. Just have fun with it. Be safe out there.
AaronM
September 05, 2019
Starting to get calls from 1-800-503-5303. Robo message claiming if I don't call them back or press 1 to connect to an agent my SSN will be suspended. Talks about connecting me to someone named Andrea. For google search purposes I have included the number with dots and no spaces. 1.800.503.5303 - 18005035303
Anonymous
September 05, 2019
Recieved a phone call saying my ssc # was being suspended bc of fraudulent activity and I will be arrested unless I stay on the line, when the call was directed he said what is your name in a thick accent ?? I said seriously. ? You called me ?? The number is 1-888-428-4500
Jin
September 05, 2019
I got the phone calles from (800) 487-1192 and (800) 439-2500. I think the caller is the same. Femail voice spoke "Dear 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." I hung up the phone right away. I believe they are the scam.
WellWisher
September 05, 2019
Today I have got a call from the following number +1 800 098 9470 conveying that my social security benefits will be suspended due to suscipious activities. When they asked for my name, I told them that they are calling me and should have my name and SSN #. They were able to tell my full name (it scares me a little definitely) and when I asked them to tell my SSN # - he couldn't - not sure whether he deliberately withheld that info or played with me - but definitely it bothers me to know that someone has the full name and the mobile # with wrong intention. I would like gov agencies to monitor such calls and take appropriate actions for the good of all.
sat
September 05, 2019
Today I got a call from the below number: +1 888-262-6677 She said he name is Mary Sanders and calling from SS dept. OMG complete fake. Please be aware of these.
aasethi
September 05, 2019
New tel no: 2694791029 Your social security number has been is about to get blocked permanently as it has been used for an illegal activity. There is a legal enforcement action about to get taken under your name and SSN :) Seriously?
PLT
September 05, 2019
I have received 5 calls from 1-800-352-9413 today. (the first one actually came up on caller ID as Telemarketer). Pretty much the same thing only telling me an arrest warrant has been issued and press 1 right away to speak to an officer.
Keaubie
September 05, 2019
Another bogus ss scam number 908-818-0239
tiredofscamsk
September 05, 2019
Received a robo call that sounded like a woman, asking me to call the number back at my earliest convenience or social security will be taking legal action against me. The number was +1 844 255 2440.
Concerned person
September 05, 2019
‭+1 (315) 517-3069‬ Just left a voice mail with the message that’s in the article above. Shameful they get away with this!
Mylovemylife052004
September 05, 2019
‭+1 (800) 452-0711‬, ‭+1 (800) 909-3642‬... I got a call from this number as well and a number (unknown). They still leave messages as well..
Jeopardy3
September 05, 2019
I recieved a phone call from 5his number 800 146 0232 is a scam, block that number
D
September 05, 2019
I got 2 voicemails today with a different version of this scam, saying there has been suspicious activity on my social security number and they will be suspending it. I was to press "1" to talk with them. The calls came from 844-973-6828 and 855-172-9067
Smokeeater10
September 05, 2019
I have receive these calls numerous times. This Tuesday I chose to call them back and learned that after repeatedly calling them 50+ times that day and irritating them, they disabled that phone number. Wednesday they called again from a CA phone number. When all was said and done, I had called them back over 150 times on Wednesday and now that number is disabled. I know it seems like a lot of energy wasted but I haven’t received a call today and hopefully my over 200 calls back to them prevented them from calling 200 people to attempt to scam.
dieseldavesass…
September 05, 2019
These numbers keep calling me about SS and that my identity has been breached +1 984-981-7877 +1 603-795-7084 +1 973-327-7194 +1 478-337-0414 +1 501-215-4528 They call Every Day Non Stop for the last Week I hope i help others Tks.
StopOnlineandP…
September 05, 2019
These disgusting thieves have called me before several times (from different numbers). It's always the same robotic message. I immediately block them but they persist.
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