Skip to main content

We’ve seen a new twist on the Social Security Administration (SSA) scam recently. Check out this SSA imposter robocall, which says your benefits will end. (That’s not true, by the way.)
If you get a call like this, do not press 1. Instead, just hang up and remember:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended.
  • The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your benefits.
  • The real SSA will never tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on a gift card.

The Social Security Administration scam is the number one scam reported to the FTC right now. People filed nearly 73,000 reports about Social Security imposters in the first six months of 2019, with reported losses of $17 million. (You can explore the data about imposter scams and losses at ftc.gov/exploredata.)

So if you’re getting these calls, you’re not alone. Tell your friends and neighbors about this scam. Tell them to hang up the phone. And then to report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

Search Terms
imposter
scam
Social Security number
Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Astrid
September 16, 2019
Yesterday and today I received such calls from these numbers 1-800-682-2626 1-800-690-3212 1-800-294-6995 1-800-954-3830
Knight
October 10, 2019

In reply to by Astrid

Ironically these scammer. Spoof the numbers of real s.s. offices around the states .. I gotten calls calls for mississippi Missouri etc
kw
November 12, 2019

In reply to by Astrid

I got this call today from 1-955-683-8763
Unanswered
September 14, 2019
I have gotten a few of these calls saying that if I dont call them back they will put a warrant out for my arrest. I've sent messages to the social security administration about these calls and gave them the numbers. But still receiving calls. Saying the same thing.
Tornadoroses
October 21, 2019

In reply to by Unanswered

I also was told in voicemail last week a warrant was out for my arrest for trying to hack into my social security account. I never called back. Today I answered phone as I was waiting for a call back from bank. A man was on phone stating too much activity on my SS account. He wanted my SSN to verify I'm the right person. I said the FTC & FBI are recording this conversation. He hung up right away. His call came from Asia. In fact it's on a list of numbers starting with 18004100000. Number I received was +18004106155.
Johnny
October 24, 2019

In reply to by Unanswered

I got the same call # 210-455-1268. They called 4 times in the last two weeks.
Lovepaws2
September 16, 2019
I just received that call just seconds before I read this. The number it came from was 510-474-0423
Judyftc
September 16, 2019
I've received two of these calls.
Breezy
September 16, 2019
I am getting 4-6 calls a day from multiple 800 numbers regarding an investigation against my SS. I have been blocking them but I am getting very tired of this. Is there ANY way to stop automated robots from calling?
Mylife
September 16, 2019
I receive this call a lot and I hang up everytime. I am thankful that you are letting people know about this scam.
Stephen Calkins
September 16, 2019
I'd love to know what happens when someone DOES push "1". Go ahead, do it for us and report back! (In all serious, lots of people likely think that nothing bad can happen just by pushing a number.)
ThatGuy
October 25, 2019

In reply to by Stephen Calkins

I'm reading these comments to find that out because a week ago I received this call and I pressed 1 but then was hung up on instantly after pressing 1. It's been a week I haven't noticed any bank activity I dont own any credit cards and nothing odd with my phone either
jkt
December 05, 2019

In reply to by ThatGuy

I did this very thing this morning. Half awake I hit "1" and was hung up on. Lots of warnings here but what's next? Anything happened to you? I've learned my lesson!
Nerda
November 01, 2019

In reply to by Stephen Calkins

I pressed 1 to see what happens, especially since I keep receiving these calls even after blocking them, and a live person answered. He had a very thick accent, and I began asking all the questions first. He tried to confirm my name, but I wouldn't give any information. I simply asked for his call back number so that I could verify that the call was legit. He provided me with the number 1-866-313-2533, so I called and googled the number and it is a valid SSA number; however, it is the SSA emergency weather announcement hotline. These scammers are clever...hope this helps.
Hobnob
September 16, 2019
I got this call.the person did a lousy job of trying to convince me he was real.i hung up on him.told him nice try
midwest kid
September 16, 2019
Thanks for putting out this information. In the last week, I have received three of these calls. I did not press one. Is there anything that would have happened "automatically" if I had pressed 1?
Smiley
September 16, 2019
How long will these scammers be allowed to go on? They need to be caught and jailed.
Tony D.
September 16, 2019
I have been getting these scam calls on Social Security. It is a recording first, then a thief comes on the line and wants your info. I tell them you are being recorded and reported and I hang up. "NEVER" give out any of your or your family's or friends information, "NEVER".THANK YOU FTC FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND CONTINUE TO DO, FOR ALL OF US. GOD BLESS.
SSDScam
September 16, 2019
Yep, received three in the past few days. Jerks.
prushworthDon'…
September 16, 2019
It might be useful to restate that SSA will NEVER call you unless an answer to your message. Otherwise ALL communications are by US Mail. Pete Rushworth
Eleanor Mosca
September 16, 2019
Just received a call from phone number 1-206-273-9557 which does not list an individual or business in the reverse directory stating my SSA number was comprised and if I did not press 1, I would be arrested.
5 Big lazy catsd!
September 16, 2019
On Fri13 I got a call every 15 minutes. It was so annoying.
Sam
September 16, 2019
In the event you speak to an imposter posing as a government agent, one of the most effective methods stopping these fraudsters in their tracks is to say something to the following effect in the midst of the conversation: "Officer, are you tracing this call?" I have not received another such phony call since that statement!
nancydatte
September 16, 2019
Thank you for sharing this! I was inundated with these calls for several weeks.
Nightghost
September 16, 2019
Don't answer unknown numbers, let it go to voicemail. They hangup. If you can block the number after you have written it down to report them. Most of the times they are robot calls, to you just need to block the number, even thought they will use a different number. Do not call registry does not seem to work except you can report to them. However, I just read where the "do not call registry" sells your number, so how can we stop this if this is true. I checked just yesterday and my cell and home phone number is still on their registry. It stays until you remove it.
Sandi
September 16, 2019
"dear citizen"! The English and grammar is sooooo bad. I did get a call this morning and hung up.
MG042
November 30, 2019

In reply to by Sandi

What about a letter saying you owe them money? And have account number not your SS number like it has been for years?
J1948s1981
September 17, 2019
I also got this call I just hung up. Thanks for the headsup
Dragon76
September 16, 2019
Received two calls, one when I was not home from 8006091042 saying SS compromised needed to call back. Which I did not. Second call from 8008207182 which Caller ID identified as 800 Service said to press one or else warrant for my arrest. Do not respond and blocked the number, also reported it to FTC for both calls.
forts7Don't us…
September 16, 2019
I received a call that someone is using your social security number and it will be locked, just press 1.I never answered the call but it was left on my message voice box.
taptap
September 17, 2019
I have got call like these, thanks FTC.for keeping me informed.
Xandi
September 17, 2019
I received this type of call with area code 512. When the caller asked for my social security number, I said, if you represent SSA, you should know that. The caller hung up. In my case the caller mentioned I had been convicted of a crime and benefits would end immediately. I don't receive social security benefits, I work.
Dani
September 17, 2019
Thanks for the warning and tips, will pass it on. Good to see FTC is looking out for us. Sad, that so many are falling for this, when they could actually just make a call and find out the facts.
stephp
September 17, 2019
I have received these calls as well. If I don't pay $299.00 they will put a warrant out for my arrest and a deputy will come to my home or work. Please be careful!
giggles13
September 17, 2019

In reply to by stephp

We receive these calls all the time, and either don't answer phone, or answer and immediately hang up. sometimes five or six times a day.
Julie
August 20, 2020

In reply to by stephp

I received 2 calls auto call. Told me I had a warranty for my arrest and money laundering. I was told i was under arrest and warrant for my arrest . I have never had a ticket in my 62 years on earth! I have a perfect driving record....I all most hit 1 for a agent. No way I know SS doesn't call they will send a letter if something was wrong. I reported it but don't know if that helps because I still get them. If everyone does report it it may help but don't know!
LawLady
September 17, 2019
Received call today 9/17/2019 from 619-369-0024 (Calif). VM was male voice saying "...enforcement action file on your social security number for fraudulent activities. [Call] federal database at 619-369-0024." I did not call but there it is, and it is not the first; just the first I've reported.
SICK OF THE BULL
October 30, 2019

In reply to by LawLady

I KEEP GETTING THE SAME CALLS ABOUT FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES ON MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER EVERY WEEK NUM IS 915-208-4885
TS
September 17, 2019
Received a similar call from 978-644-0090 today.
rossy.medrano
September 23, 2019
I already reported it.
Jake
September 17, 2019
I got this robocall every day for two weeks. It came from an 800 number. Each time the 800 number changed. I reported it every time to DoNotCall, and also blocked the number with my phone app.
Got voicemail
September 17, 2019
Today I got this same voicemail from 1-800-538-4578 and 1-800-908-3865
hikerDon't use…
September 17, 2019
Received a call from 510-474-0423 today saying they were blocking my account; that I should call that number immediately. I called and they wanted my social security number, which I refused to give. I asked If he would give me his s.s number and he said no. I told him it sounded like a hoax and he hung up.
Trina
September 17, 2019
The initiating numbers are probably spoofed: mine was from a private person's VoIP phone number in Salt Lake City, but it's the same recording. Hung up before it even finished. The problem with spoofing is that legitimate phone number holders get hassled -- they didn't initiate the call.
pbw1957
September 17, 2019
I have recieved 3 of these calls. Actually got a warm body on one of them! I told him that before I gave him any of my info, he had to tell me why SSA would be calling me instead of me calling them. He hung up. Haven't heard from him about a week.
catmurray200
September 17, 2019
I have to thank you all for working diligently and paying my Social Security on time. Is extremely important that I receive it on time to pay my bills on time so I thank you again for your professionalism. Good work
Juanita
September 17, 2019
Not only have I received many of these calls but another twist is one that states there is a warrant out for my arrest due to fraudulent use of my SSN.
Return to top