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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
Risteen
October 08, 2019
Just got this same exact call - scary!
efren
October 08, 2019
Just got a call from ‭(800) 877-7119‬ pushing this scam
Cassio
October 08, 2019
Got a call from (801)923-1542, requesting the same thing.
upsetconsumer7
October 08, 2019
Got a call from 800-561-0419- called them back and it was someone saying they were from social security and they needed my information to identify me.
Curiousgeorge
October 08, 2019
Unbelievable... block this/these numbers. I'm infuriated that people are getting scammed by this mess! NEVER give your ss# out over the phone! EVER...........
DY
October 08, 2019
Ringed by 1-800-361-3592 saying my SSN is suspended permanently due to some suspicious activity, and that I could talk to the concerned department by pressing 1.
chundy
October 08, 2019
I don't know what you expect the government to do if someone outside the US (almost all of them) scams you of your money? It is your fault, never give out information. I use an app called "Should I answer" on my cell phone. It keeps a database of all the numbers reported by users and blocks those numbers. If one gets through you can block it and add it to the community database. That is the best I have been able to do. It is free but they do accept donations.
zelman
October 08, 2019
i am currently on a call with a guy named Steven brown (Badge ID: 29937) from the department of treasury saying asking me to secure my funds in vouchers i bought from target and Nordstrom. he is threatening to send for my arrest because my social security has been connected to criminal activity and i will need to get a new social security. tomorrow federal agency will be coming to my place to investigate my place to see if i have been involved with these things. he sounds real yelling at me and everything.
Nick
October 10, 2019

In reply to by zelman

You will never receive a call from the Social Security Administration asking you to verify a purchase or funds. When a social security number has been used in illegal activity the US government (police, FBI, etc.) will conduct an investigation. Once, and when, they've gathered enough evidence and located the person responsible they will make an arrest.
joe blow
October 08, 2019
received call fr, 1 866 180 4285 asking for sin #
libey
October 09, 2019
Just got one number was 224-333-1215...I kept saying I wanted to call the social security number online that is the known real number and he kept saying if I hang up or get off the call he was suspending my social security number!! Still waiting on hold with social security bc that guy hung up on me so I’m sure it was a scam. He wanted all my info.
Craig
October 09, 2019
855-498-7887 Screened call with Google: miles by the u.s department of treasury on your social security number ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before a match is great judge or a gradually for a federal criminal offense this is the final attempt to reach you to resolve this issue immediately to speak to a federal agent call back a number 855-498-7887 i repeat 855-498-
Dobber
October 09, 2019
Just received a call and to call back 844-390-1239 that my social security number is involved with fraud and the local police are looking for me. They then asked for my social # I told them to go to hell that if they were the SSA they would know my number and they hung up.
Fifelito
October 09, 2019
the scam number that called me 1-800-502-3473
SSA fraud call
October 09, 2019
A fraudulent call from 1-888-803-5034 claiming to be Social Security with a recorded voice saying my "social security number is going to be suspended due to fraudulent activity. Press one for more information". Please don't do that! Obviously this is fraud.
Roger
October 09, 2019
SSA SCAM DO , BLOCK THE NUMBER IF YOU CAN
just a person
October 09, 2019
This number just tried the social security scam. 866-076-9237.
dan
October 09, 2019
1 800 529 4412 called trying to get info. wanted info about my SSAN .
No time to waste
October 09, 2019
Received call from 941-888-9609 with an India sounding voice saying they're updating my medicaid & medicare info. Laughed and hung up.
Tammy
October 09, 2019
I received a call today, at 11:30. A.m. They told me if I didn't call right away, there will be a. Arrest warrant.
ed
October 09, 2019
just received from 800-508-4898, and leave me message my SSI was invoked in suspicious activity and asked for contact.
AP
October 09, 2019
I got several call from 817-231-5164 and I didn't answer those calls. They left the message and said my SSN suspended. I called this number and asked him why did you guys called me? He said he is from SSA and asked my full name. I was rude on him, why did you call me? If you are from SSA you suppose to send letter not calls. He said he already sent letter and I asked him whats the address? he said my street name. I said send me letter again and the he hanged up.
lejla
October 09, 2019
got a phone call from 800-400-4449 - the same scam message !
siddiqi
October 09, 2019
“His phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for criminal activities so when you get this message _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ that soon as possible on our number that is 410-618-1400 I repeat 410-618-1400 before I leave the been with the legal pros evening thank you have a nice day if you wish to speak with our executive then press one now that was an invalid entry if you wish to speak with our executive then press one now that was an invalid entry…”
doyourjob
October 09, 2019
called me in greenville SC from 800-526-8861, reporting number to police
me2118
October 09, 2019
I literally just got this call today
MikeinSeattle
October 09, 2019
210 255 21887 San Antonio Texas. Computer generated call.
1(800) 242-5131
October 09, 2019
I received a call from 1(800) 242-3151 saying my ssn was about to get suspended and canceled. The automated response tells me to mark 1 in order to be connected to a SSN representative. Then the call hangs up. I am never connected. I am concerned because I recently opened a CC account with Capital One online. and next day I get this call.
jimnc
October 09, 2019
So, my call just came in from 360.215.7056. Guy told me I couldn't ask questions. He barely spoke English. Then he passed me to another person who said his name is Temzen Crue. I told him I want to know the number for the Social Security Administration so I know this is not a scam. The number he gave me to call back is 206.489.8999. I didn't.
SpookieSpookie
October 09, 2019
I just got a call from ‭+1 (210) 742-6096‬ from Texas which is weird. It was an automated message saying my ssc was breached and have a warrant out for my arrest.
Vinny
October 09, 2019
I just got a call from 1 800 380 6477. A robot voice answered saying my Social will be cancelled. Press 1 to talk to social security Administration department. I pressed 1 and a guy with thick Indian accent kept saying I’ll be arrested and my bank accounts will be sealed. While talking to them I googled the phone number and luckily got this website where 35K+ people have already been scammed with similar call. This not fair. I hope law enforcement catches these guys who Harass innocent citizens.
t
October 09, 2019
Got similar call several voicemails ‭+1 (800) 454-3268‬ And a bunch of other 1 800 # that are dif every time Will block and keep it moving
Suresh
October 10, 2019
I got a call from this number 773-219-0312. Saying: “It's from Social Security administration the nature of behind this call is to inform you about a suspension notice we have received against your Social Security number by the federal crime and investigation department we need to talk to you as soon as possible again this call is from Social Security administration number to reach department is 773-219-0312 repeat it's 773-219-0312 thank you…” I didn't respond to this call, then searched for similar instances from google and see more scam regarding this.
California resident
October 10, 2019
I got a call from a 877-832-0230, left a robot message on my voicemail, saying something about "is out number, before we begin with legal proceedings against you, that is 877-832-0230." I called back and they claimed to be the social security administration office.
BertaDon't use…
October 10, 2019
I just got a call from 800-267-4674. the woman told me that she was calling from the Social Security and that my ss number was suspended because of suspicious activity. She requested my ss number to verify my id
SSN Scam with …
October 10, 2019
Received a call & voice message giving a case number stating my SSN will be suspended if i do not call. Watch out!
CDM
October 10, 2019
Got a similar call to day from 800-900-4800. "Trying to reach you for the last time to verify about such activities just in case we will not hear back from you it will be considered an intentional fraud and the lawsuit will be under your name. In order to get more information and talk to the social security office kindly press one to connect your call to the social security office, thank you..."
Nick
October 10, 2019
The new SSA scam number 800-957-7332
Confused
October 10, 2019
_ of record to return the call the issue at hand is extremely time sensitive the number for you to call the SSA back is 701-997-0408 the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 701-997-0408 thank you…”
joblessness
October 10, 2019
-412-7036 don't disregard this notice and do return the call before we begin with the legal proceedings against you thank you if you wish to speak with our executive then press one now that was an invalid entry if you wish to speak with our executive then press one now that was an invalid entry if you wish to speak with our executive then press one now that was an invalid entry…”
Thisisstillgoingon
October 10, 2019

In reply to by joblessness

I was a recent victim and I had no idea this was going on, my some sense I realized during the call something was wrong as said my name only and with 2 second the caller said yes I have your file in front of me right now, after just a name. But I was lucky and said when ask for the last 4 numbers of my social I decided to say this is very weird I will call my local SSA office. But now I cannot believe this is still an active problem that many people are unaware of , and something should be done adverts on media to let people know , local news , I had no idea and I now know how lucky I was I feel for every victim out there.
Cat
October 10, 2019
I just received the same thing, but with a female voice from: 1-844-983-9255.
rlk maryland
October 10, 2019
I just received a call from 888 226-4919 saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity.....and to press 1. I hung up and searched which brought me to this website. I used my judgement, and figured SSA would contact me by mail not call.
lilianaduenas1
October 17, 2019
5163622252 call from new york, new phone number scam
Scam numbers
October 10, 2019
Call from these two numbers with a similar message 800-545-3205 and 800-786-7684
odd!
October 10, 2019
Received a call from 279-777-0004 with a recorded message stating the call was coming from a social security agent, that there is suspicious activity involving my social security number and that I should call the number back to deal with the problem.
kawilson
October 10, 2019
Just got a call from 917-423-1354. I did not answer but a called back from my job phone. A gentleman answered saying that I had just called the social security administration. I told him that he was a scammer and that government agencies do not make phone calls. He had a profanity laced fit... and he promised to scam my entire family. What a clown?
RL
October 10, 2019
I got a same kind of message today from 1-844-115-4682
Rod
October 10, 2019
here is another number they call from 800-479-0275
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