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The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
  • Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there.
  • Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
  • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.

If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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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.

  • 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.

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Miquini
May 29, 2020

In reply to by smurfing

This is probably a silly question but, what do u mean by registering ur number with the FTC? I ask bc I tried, several times to put my number on the national do not call list & obviously that didn't help but I was wondering if that's what u meant by registering with FTC.
HowieF
May 28, 2019

In reply to by Houstonian

The reason "spoofing" is allowed is for businesses. Most businesses will have 1 or 2 incoming "800 number" lines for consumers to call in on but 100's or 1000's of outgoing lines. You don't want people calling in on the same line that is making outgoing calls. So, regardless of the REAL number making the outgoing call, any callback has to be to an incoming number that is different. So, most business calls are legally "spoofed".
Jim S
June 12, 2019

In reply to by HowieF

The time has come that this convenience is not worth it. Understand the need from businesses, but they will find another way to deal with this inconvenience.
S.Wong
November 08, 2019

In reply to by Houstonian

I completely agree. How can or system be so easily infiltrated by criminals trying to get people's money and information? I'm not elderly but I know that there are a lot of elderly people that would definitely fall for this and it really upsets me. If anybody knows what else I can do in order to elevate this situation so that it can be addressed properly by our government please let me know ASAP! My mother is 86 and she could easily fall for this kind of scam!
mat123
December 06, 2019

In reply to by Houstonian

I agree, we all get it same way
Pjh
January 17, 2020

In reply to by Houstonian

I got a call that my ss number Three Message was that criminal action on my number then a phone number Calling number given it is busy and number they used cut me off I am in my 70 I don't need this I have blocked both numbers I would hope this will stop it
Halfpint1961
January 28, 2020

In reply to by Pjh

Unfortunately, it won't stop it. They just move on to another toll free number. Been dealing with this for about a month now. Very frustrating!!!
Smartie
January 28, 2020

In reply to by Halfpint1961

I just received a call from El Paso, TX #915-613-4949, let it go to the Voicemail (unknown number). The message was to call this number back because SS is working on my claim. I don't have any claims with SS!!! It is frustrating, but you right it won't stop.
Don't use your…
February 04, 2020

In reply to by Pjh

I got two criminal activity calls this morning. Beginning at 6 am. Googled SS. It said they won’t call with that kind of information. So disregarding those messages and writing about them here. How do I better secure myself from this sort of thing happening?
Maudean N
December 17, 2018

In reply to by Robert Nix

Jan 13 about 12:30 (noon) I received a call telling me that my SS number will be discontinued if I don't call 847-737-7751. I live in Montpelier, Vermont. I don't think my SS number can be discontinued for any reason so I checked out the number. Thank you for your information.
Another scam number
June 10, 2019

In reply to by Maudean N

I got a call from North Carolina number prefix 828 stating the same thing. It was a recording.
Got Scams?
September 13, 2019

In reply to by Another scam number

The exact same thing happened to me
Anthony_Jackson
November 06, 2019

In reply to by Got Scams?

Same thing, I got a call this morning from a 1-800 number that says I need to call back to speak to an officer or my SSN will be blocked permanently...I want to check if this indeed a scam or not but I don’t know where to go to test validity
Birddog
November 11, 2019

In reply to by Anthony_Jackson

Not to worry. Its a scam.They have been testing me for over a month.I called SSI scam line to report abuse but it was a joke. They had me jumping through hoops with recordings
GI_Jane
November 13, 2019

In reply to by Anthony_Jackson

Your social security number can never be blocked. The Social Security Administration will never call you. It's a scam. Tell all your friends and family that if they get a call from the Social Security Administration, it's a scam. Just read the article written above the comments.
Cindy in AZ
March 06, 2020

In reply to by GI_Jane

Correction, SSA may call you if they have questions on a Social Security benefit application recently submitted. They Tell you in advance in writing this may happen but they also tell you which office in which city your application is assigned to so you can match area codes if they do call.
Maria
December 09, 2020

In reply to by GI_Jane

I totally agree, because there is no way the can do that, I've just got 2 calls back to back & I hung up everytime I 've already blocked them many times but still they call anyway & lots of other scammers call from different numbers as well when you block them, I think what happen if someone fills out something on line & you put your number down & email that's how they contact you
Lavender Lady
November 18, 2019

In reply to by Got Scams?

I just received a recorded call from 800-436-1608. She said I had suspicious activity on my ssn. They have tried to reach me several times.Press 1 to speak to a rep. Or your ssn will be blocked and deactivated, rendering it sealed and forever unusable. Press 1 to speak to a representative. No answer received on your end. Please press 1 to speak to a rep. to clear this up. I was hacked last year. Had to cancel all accounts and change all passwords. I was afraid this was still going on.
Ewifey#1
September 16, 2020

In reply to by Lavender Lady

Thank you for posting this. I got this exact call but I'm in California. It was a 831 prefix.
Ginna53Don't u…
November 02, 2020

In reply to by Lavender Lady

I just received the same call from Officer John Singhs saying that my SS# has been jeopardized and has been used fraudulently and laundering money thru a bank. When I started asking questions of how they could even even use my number because right now my credit is not the greatest due to me not working in 5 years because of a disability......all the sudden CLICK! He hung up on me! So I called the number back and it was some other mans number so I left him a message that someone is using his phone number to do SS scams he was floored!! How can they use another number to come up in your caller ID? And it did sound like some kind of call center in the background. This is ridiculous!!! Stay safe out there everyone and I’m gonna report this! I don’t think it’s gonna help since the used a false number!
Monemkr70
February 05, 2021

In reply to by Got Scams?

Just received call from them while I was walking my dog. Caller was really convincing, even going to point of providing a "badge" number or "investigator's" number. The call number was 510 251 7519. However, my phone died right as the call was starting his "hook" story abt my SSN being used in Texas! Thank God I have an intelligent wife who strongly and adamantly advise I check with the SSA prior to doing anything major.
sharon
June 22, 2020

In reply to by Another scam number

Thank you for listing that you received a call from North Carolina. I just received that number and message was left. Never called the number back but glad I could verify this information on this site.
Kam
June 12, 2019

In reply to by Maudean N

I just got a call , let it go to Voicemail as I don't answer (unknown numbers)either , message said my SS # was suspended due to questionable activity...so I called the number back ...it's a Eye doctor office in my county....I hung up as it's after buss. Hours , today said office called me to say that they are sorry for missing my call...floord .. absolutely floored not fooled
Karrie
March 17, 2020

In reply to by Kam

My Primary care doctor uses a "global number" for their out-going calls (ex to confirm the next appointment.) For MONTHS I got spam calls on a certain phone number so I saved it to my contacts as "Spam Call" so I could ignore it. One day, arriving at the Dr's office I found they'd been trying to contact me to reschedule as the Dr had to go out of town. They called me while I was standing there and the number that showed up was the number that had been used for the scam call. The Global numbers just grab any open number. A family member was called by his/her own number in this use. My point is it isn't necessarily someone from your Eye Doctors office.
Spingirl
July 08, 2020

In reply to by Maudean N

I happened to answer a call this morning. An automatic recording said my SS is being discontinued due to fraudulent activities in Texas. The number that called me is 561.719.4051. I hung up immediately. Got a second call which I did not answer from 561.719.9444. Thank you for posting comments.
JTomseseler
December 17, 2018

In reply to by Robert Nix

I just received a call 12/17/18. I am in process of guardianship of my mother so this may be how they got my phone number through the cook county court system. I did not give any information, but took down their number to call them back (which I did not) The spoof number is 410-413-3782. BTW-the call received was very broken up, and I could tell loud background noise as if a very busy call center.
lunamac
December 19, 2018

In reply to by JTomseseler

I got one indicating an issue with SSI. No one person was mentioned so no idea who on the household was needed to 'call back'. This came from 210-880-3339. Most likely spoofed anyway as it doesn't come up as belonging to any 'business'.
Tracisr
September 17, 2019

In reply to by JTomseseler

I just got like 3 calls in a row from the same number saying my ssn was used in Texas. I told him I heard about this scam and he hung up on me! The number was (410) 202-0166
Murinda
September 26, 2019

In reply to by Tracisr

I usually get only one or two junk calls a day but today it was different I got a call everyone hour from the same first three numbers (907) so I finally answered like the eighth one and they told me my SNN has been used in fraudulent activity, like you said it was in Texas and they found my information in an abandon car with drugs ect... it was very realistic and I sort of believed them DO NOT BELIEVE THESE CALLS BECAUSE OF THE BIG WORDS, LONG DESCRIPTIVE STORIES AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE CALLED YOU MORE THAN A NORMAL SPAM WOULD!!! I feel stupid and I gave the the last 4 digits of my ssn and I really hope nothing happens! I’m stupid and I should have known!
Lovie
November 08, 2019

In reply to by Murinda

Hello Murinda The same exact thing just happened to me. Crime committed in Texas, threatening place a hold on my social security account, they even knew my address without me telling them. I feel stupid because I gave them the last 4 of my social as well. I didn't give them anything else....I feel so stupid. I am smarter than this. I hope nothing happens. Please keep me posted!
Ron777
August 17, 2020

In reply to by Lovie

I just got the same spam call as the lady pretended to be from Social Security Administration and said same thing like they found a car with drugs on my name and SSN in Al Paso, Texas and they need to suspend my SSN. I had to press 1 to speak to rep about more details in crime so I did. The lady’s name is Amy Jackson and I got phone call from (856)-361-9299. She gave me her batch number 196307. She said there are rental properties registered under my SSN in Texas. This is crazy she also knew my state and address exactly where I live so I provided my last 4 digits of SSN by being so stupid. I just reported this incident to Social Security Administration site with Office of the Inspector General for scam. Also reported to Federal Trade Commission site. I also hope that nothing happens now with my social security as they have my last four digits :/ :(
Ana am
January 28, 2021

In reply to by Lovie

did anything happen?? this just happened to me and I’m kind of scared..
Taz090502
November 21, 2019

In reply to by Murinda

Same thing happened to me today! I have my last 4 too like an idiot :( he kept asking me why I wasn’t taking it seriously...
ary
November 27, 2019

In reply to by Murinda

I just receive a call from (646) 9044840 Telling me that my SSN is gonna get blocked and want me to contact them. Please report the phone number
Emaan shafiq
May 30, 2020

In reply to by Murinda

Today I received A scam call and I confirmed my full name and last 4 of my SSN( Only these 2 things). I am feeling really stupid about doing this mistake and now o don’t know what to do?
aimee
October 16, 2020

In reply to by Murinda

Hey did anything ever happen? I got the same call, gave out the last four digits and now I don't know what to do!
Biggles
October 25, 2019

In reply to by Tracisr

I just got the same automated call on my business line. 800-201-3808
Hululu
March 27, 2019

In reply to by Robert Nix

Thanks for all the comments, It save my worry. I just get a call this morning regarding my SSN suspension with crime investigation in Tx with providing the case number which look believable and phone number is ssn office phone. So I get scare and Confirm last 4 digits of SSN and my name but since I was out of states now, I don’t give anymore info. I was still worry so looking for case Info and now I see all these warnings about ssn scams , make me feel better. The phone company should do something about all these scams phone call, every day get about at least ~10 call, Thanks
ticked off
April 12, 2019

In reply to by Trackstar

I have been getting this same message 4 days in a row. 3 to 4 times a day.
jkgilbert_1983
October 29, 2019

In reply to by Trackstar

16464228792 this number just called me and told me the same thing and said that they were from New York and said that I had a warrant out for my arrest cuz my social security number was used in fraudulent activity is this real or what
IDEALRED1970
November 08, 2019

In reply to by jkgilbert_1983

I just received the same call, but mine was from Florida the number is 786-345-3945. Told me that my SSN was used fraudulently, and if I did not get in touch with them then legal action WOULD be taken against me. These people need to be found and stopped. This is ridiculous.
Joeguy
October 13, 2019

In reply to by haheha

I received 3 calls inside an hour says SS# is used in Fraud!!! Robot call!!! Dont be fooled
elmalkeltib
October 31, 2019

In reply to by haheha

The same thing happen to me and I don’t know what to do should i Change my social or what
Same_here
April 18, 2019

In reply to by Hululu

Same here! They called twice from a local NY number to say if I did not call back they would start legal proceedings for my social security number and related fraudulent activity. This thread puts my mind at ease seeing the same call for so many other people.
Scammers
May 17, 2019

In reply to by Same_here

Just got a call from Dunkirk, NY saying they were a member of the SSA my SSN was suspended due to suspicious activity and to press one for more information on the case # 1-716-413-0442
Scammer2
June 08, 2019

In reply to by Scammers

I also just received a phone call from NY too regarding to my SSN being stolen . Voice mail also told me to press 1 which I did but nothing happen and just disconnect it instead. Then I called back that number and no one answer.