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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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Social Security Impersonators
Reading, PA
January 22, 2020
1-800-418-2558 just called same scam
pm
January 22, 2020
got recorded call saying social security suspended from number - 800-733-6705
Gilda
January 22, 2020
Scam voicemail from 587-358-9074 (ID said the call came from Alberta Canada)and 500-824-5469 another call (ID said United States) stating that someone in South Texas has used my social security number and to press 1 to speak to an officer.
tjo
January 22, 2020
I just had this call.
Countrygirlbee228
January 22, 2020
I got a call today I didn't pick up but they left a message stating I have a warrant out for my arrest because of fraudulent activity under my social security number. First of all. If there was a warrant they wouldn't say there is one out there. That's pretty much sayin "here is a head start to run away".
Alex
January 23, 2020
Get call today from 833 290 6534 833 290-6534 (833) 290-6534
Missjoyce
January 23, 2020
Had one today.i in TEXAS at an address that's an auto body shop Drug trafficking, money laundering and wire money theft The number is 6156199495 Crazy to actually listen to all. This call cane from I thing India or somewhere worth that type if speach Don't fall for it
M J
January 22, 2020
I received this computer generated voice recorded call saying " that my social security number has been suspended and all the benefits a re suspended, press 1 to talk to concern department.
Mystry
January 22, 2020
I got them to hang up on me awhile back. They called me. I pressed 1 to talk to someone. They asked me for my name, I told her that they had called me, so they should have that information, she then asked for my social security number, I answered the same way. She then became very upset and told me to call her back when I wasn't going to waste HER time. LOL She hung up on me. I was disappointed that I didn't keep her on the phone longer. That was not very challenging at all.
becarful
January 23, 2020
I received 5 calls today saying that My SIN number was part of a criminal investigation, that a arrest was to be issued if I did not comply in confirming my SIN. this is the number they used 1-800-206-7916.
Nomorespam
January 23, 2020
205-547-0996 - (Birmingham, AL) 12/11/19 at 5:22 pm, robocall says detections filed against your SSN and to kindly call back. 410-346-9361 - (Westminster, MD) 12/13/19 at 11:59 am and at 12:54 pm, robocall says there's a legal enforcement action filed on my SSN for fraudulent activity and to kindly call back and have a nice day. 214-336-6900 - (Dallas, Tx) 1/22/20 at 1:47 pm, robocall says your Social has been found suspicious for certain illegal activities, it's time sensitive and urgent that I call back before we procced further with suspension of your Social and assets and gave a direct number to call 646-491-6397. 206-207-0825 - (Seattle, WA) 1/23/20 at 9:06 am, robocall says there's a legal enforcement action filed on my SSN for fraudulent activity and to kindly call back and have a nice day...
ksan
January 23, 2020
Just received a similar request from this number: 439-657-2699
donthavetime4scammer
January 23, 2020
This scam has been done to me 2x over the last 24hrs. They used the following numbers 800-314-1762 and 800-971-5766 It is a very demanding computer voice that I can see frightening elderly and people with limited understanding.
Stefan
January 23, 2020
Just received a call from 1-800-231-2932 stating my SSN was suspended. I hung up immediately
student
January 23, 2020
just got in Richmond, VA the same scam call and talked to the lady with heavy Indian accent, their phone number is 800-552-84-94.
kmanderson11
January 23, 2020
New number just called me ‭+1 (888) 448-4709‬ unknown
Chris
January 23, 2020
Got this call last Thursday saying same thing and I would be arrested in 48 hrs if I did not call back. The number they gave me is 1-855-683-9751.
JJM
January 23, 2020
Yes i got this call say my SS Number was in fardulent activity and to contact before legal action is taken against me. Call
Addy
January 23, 2020
Today I got a an automated call from the number : 469-319-1275. They told that they are from social security administration and there has been suspicious activity in my account. They asked me call back immediately on 469-319-1275. Please beware of this number.
BB't use your …
January 23, 2020
Just got one of these calls. The number they used is 908-373-8663
Danny
January 23, 2020
The number they used today is 1 844 215 9568
Jwar
January 23, 2020
Five calls just this morning
Prater
January 23, 2020
610-215-2001 left message saying my SSN has been flagged for fraudulent activity and to call back before it is reported to the state courthouse or before I am arrested.
Sick of scammers
January 23, 2020
Just got a call from 916-378-8339 Trying to get me to call claiming my Social number is being used for illegal activities. I'm so sick of these scammers.
Narin
January 23, 2020
I got scammers' calls using 800-239-7108 703-558-2222 (they use Arlington Police Dpt call ID) 646-628-8409 (send message to me the SSN safeguard wallet QR Code)
LA
January 23, 2020
Scammer just called using the number 800-238-1268. Hung up and blocked the number.
mchristy
January 23, 2020
Received hoax call from 619-737-3921 telling me that my Social Security number has been hacked and to protect myself CALL THEM, or else. (Yeah, right...)
iamdabananaking
January 23, 2020
Five calls today so far (it's 17:39 my time) starting from 12:54 and I have had two calls within 27 minutes of each other. I also had one call yesterday in the late afternoon. EVERY number has been different. 8008888207, 8006604890, 8006652386, 8008129165, 8003306004, 8003318495
iamdabananaking
January 23, 2020
Forgot to add in that I did not answer the first five calls but when I answered the last one I was greeted by a monotone automated male voice.
BPathDon't use…
January 24, 2020
Just received same type of call from 855-8010- 500- Did not answer- Please just hang up !
Gpayne
January 24, 2020
I just got a call from 1-800-239-7060 telling me my ss# had been suspended due to suspicious activity, and to press 1 to find out more. I hung up.
notification
January 24, 2020
scam from phone number 18009240930 - 1800 9352300
Earth Ox
January 24, 2020
800 246 2133 same scam
GS
January 24, 2020
Two calls this morning tell me that they are suspending my social. 1-223-203-6014 Airville,PA
ScammerSbScamming
January 24, 2020
Just adding number ‭+1 (661) 347-0849‬ here for people to know.
YaMelo
January 24, 2020
I just received a call on my cell phone. A robotic voice stated suspicious activity was found on my SS#. The number was from 877-886-5061 asking me to call the same number back
Wordypen
January 24, 2020
This is the transcript of a scam call. “We caught on your Social Security number for your safety we have suspended any use of your Social Security number until we speak with you and get the information confirmed _⁠_ your immediate attention is required again this call is from Social Security administration the number to reach the department is 443-342-2164 I repeat it's 443-342-2164 thank you…” Be safe. I just block their number.
Winter in wy
January 24, 2020
Today I got 2 calls from a robotic caller thing on my voicemail saying to call 1 (424) 227-5688 or they would block my social security number.
RM
January 24, 2020
Just received call from 293-613-6665 Said SS had filed lawsuit on my name.
Helpful Info
January 24, 2020
I received two calls today from 877-815-7354 robotic voice stating call was from Federal Crime and Investigation Unit...BEWARE!!
RM
January 24, 2020
Received call from 293-613-6665. Recording claiming Social Security had placed warrant on me.
RM
January 24, 2020
I just had a message left on my phone reporting that my social security had been suspended Their number was 800-023-8596
Nart
February 12, 2020
Just got a call last week about the same problem as described.
amoxcey
January 24, 2020
I just received a call with a recorded message similar to that one. From the number below ‭+1 (800) 535-8949‬
Peachie
January 24, 2020
What happens to these scammers if caught?
MKA
January 24, 2020
I got several calls from this number 1-800-390-2822. I picked up one of the calls and had the same message about SSN being compromised. I followed the prompts and was transferred to a gentleman and he answered saying social security office, how can i help you. I said i received a call from this number and what is this about in a very stern voice and the person hung up. So appears the scam is still going on.
SFMBP0910
January 24, 2020
Same call here. Mine was from Officer Daniel Jackson badge #9162 with FBI. Some melarchy about suspending my social security number, some vague details about a crime In Texas. Name dropped about border patrol. Even tried to read me Miranda Rights on the phone. I asked where he was from to have such a common American name with a heavy Indian accent. I told him I would need to call him back and he immediately got accusatory attitude and said I was making myself look more suspicious by not answering his questions honestly. I told him I would need to speak with his supervisor and he then put me on hold and picked the phone up again and pretended to be his own supervisor. Who coincidentally also has an Indian accent...go figure. I told him as an officer of the federal government myself it was odd I had never heard of him, his department, or this particular meathod of questioning (yeah, I fibbed, but what the heck let's pass some time lying to one another ). He immediately hung up on me.
PibbleDad
January 24, 2020
I just had a call from 1-800-0006-7722 which I did not answer. Voicemail stated that if I didn't immediately talk to the SSA Officer that a law suite for fraud would be entered in my name.
Jay
January 24, 2020
833-792-0336 ---- fraudulent robo call from scammers claiming they are the social security admin and asking me to call them back.....ah NO THANK YOU!
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