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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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Social Security Impersonators
Jstorm1112
January 29, 2020
Yes I was almost duped by these scammers. I had a suspicious feeling because I know the SSA would not call me directly. Some guy with an Indian accent asked for the last four of my social, as soon as I said I'm not sure about that, he quickly hung up the phone. +1 800-557-9428 is the number they called from and then again from a similar number.
katunare123
January 29, 2020
‭+1 (855) 326-7088‬ This number called me just now, guessing names of people who's social is being suspended. I was none of the name they mentioned. I do not know who would fall for this call when the person calling is naming two different people and asking witch person are you.
2109889965n't …
January 29, 2020
This number says they are ssa. Don't call back. 2109889965.
JazChan
January 29, 2020
Received a call ‭like this from 1 (833) 480-5769‬ Please do something to stop these annoying and harassing scams!
Tracy C.
January 29, 2020
Hi, I just got one... Pls add that scam call is also from: 855-448-4511‬
rogeremerick115
September 22, 2020

In reply to by Tracy C.

I just got a call from 833 378 0024 number a recorded woman telling me about my social security number being under investigation and call this number back so I won't have a warrant issued for my arrest scam
amandabmurg
January 29, 2020
I've received this call 6 times in one day. Everytime they call from a different number. How can I stop them from calling me?
consumeralert!
January 29, 2020
I received 2 “potential spam” calls today. Finally this number came through 800-583-3108. I answered, and it was the “social security number has been suspended” call. Beware!
Mary
January 29, 2020
I had a call from the 800-604-8463 stating the same and asking to pay money- I did not share my identity, but this is scary.
Blanca
January 29, 2020
I received this called twice today both from different numbers: (800)428-8943 (800)030-5107 The second time I decided to follow the instructions by pressing 1 to be connected to a "Social Security Agent."A gentlemen responded and before he could say anything else I said" I will take this number and report it to the Cops because this is fraud!" and he hung up right away. I then contacted my parents to inform them that if they received any calls like this to not provide information as the IRS or even Social Security Services would never contact them via phone, people that do not know this are scared into providing these people information and even money. Sad but very true.
Abear
January 29, 2020
+1 820-484-6955 this is the number that call me for it
OhioMom42
January 29, 2020
I just received a call from a 1-855-420-4909. This one had to dark, gloom warming of my ss# being suspended, due to faud I am committing. Then asked me to press 1 for a representative. I did that. Once I got them on the phone, I told them, "Shame on you. The SS Administration is not suspending anyone's SS#. Don't call this number. " I am worried they will find the perfect gullible victim.
k10
January 29, 2020
Got similar call from ‭+1 (800) 901-9543‬
maps
January 29, 2020
Got a call from 844-569-7620 saying they’ve “put a stop on my social security number” unless I call them back immediately. Called 3 times within 1/2 hour.
Karlton griffin
January 29, 2020
Yea that is so annoying and irritating they need to stop calling people phones that happen to me today that's bs scammers I'm not stupid that the second time they did that the first time they call me last year with the same scam bs
KY
January 29, 2020
888 302 8625 - Just got call from robot voice saying my social security # is being checked for fraudulent activity to call this # back
voicemail - fr…
January 30, 2020
903-459-6408 - got the voicemail - just like this one TRANSCRIPT This call is from Department of Social Security Administration the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings that is 903-459-6408 I repeat 903-459-6408 thank you
blum
January 30, 2020
833-470-0484 anyone else?
Jake
January 30, 2020
Same call only from 800-062-2188 Thank goodness I work for a data security company and know to check things out!
JMNRDN
January 30, 2020
I receive these calls all day, every day. The one that got me the most was yesterday. The caller ID came up as Fed Bureau Invs 202-324-3000. I was at work so didn't answer. The message was the same. Today's number shows 800-128-6485. Sometimes they come up as a local number. I block all the numbers, but they continue to call EVERY DAY!! This is getting old!!
WiseUp
January 30, 2020
yup, got this call today and the recording was scratchy. Thank goodness a person can google this stuff and find out, it is a scam. I would have never called anyway, if a criminal activity, I would be talking to my local police.
Harry from Texas
January 30, 2020
Just got a call from a scammer. The number they are using is 619-304-5137. A man with an Indian accent answers. - "Actions filed on your social security number. We have got an order to suspend your social at very right moment because we have found many suspicious activities on your social before we go ahead and suspend your number kindly call us back on our number which is 619-304-5137. I repeat it's 619-304-5137. Thank you and goodbye..:
KHB
January 30, 2020
Just received two robo calls (male voice) claiming that there has been criminal activity with my SSN. The caller tells me that I must call the number before legal action is taken. The call finishes with "have a nice day, thank you". The two phone numbers that I received call s from are 609-495-3105 and 631-333-7432. This is most definitely a scam!!!!!
J2C texas
January 30, 2020
7062142453, this number appears on my caller i.d. the female begins by stating that the SSA is going to suspend benefits and that they need to hear from me IMMEDIATELY before and more things happen to with my social security number. I know this call is a scam recording. I wish they would just stop calling, my phones are already on the DoNotCall list. How do they keep getting my numbers?
mawilpr
January 30, 2020
Today I received a call from these number 1 800 249 1442 I did not answer but a person left a message saying I could be arrested and my benefits suspended. If you received a call from this number is a scam.
tkerr
January 30, 2020
showed #614-027-1990. Didn't answer. Never answer without a name I know.
Jo Cooper
January 30, 2020
I just received a call. The number was 800-665-1362. Be aware.
Magical777
January 30, 2020
Got a call from this number today 202-301-9456. I answered (Because i am from DC, but i haven't lived there since i was a child), it was a recording saying my SSN number had fraud on it and it was going to be suspended. Said i needed to call them back. I did not. Because i know the Social Security Office doesn't make these type of calls and i have credit monitoring alerts as well as fraud alerts set up.
Beachdreamer
January 30, 2020
Just got this call from 916-378-8593.
Texas resident
January 30, 2020
Just received one of these SSA calls from 503-376-6491. I called back from my work computer to see who would answer and a lady answered with "thank you for calling the Social Security Administration, can I help you?"
Doda
January 30, 2020
Same thing happened to me today! . I will never understand why people want to be so hateful, greedy and nasty to others and would get gratification out of putting Panic and fear into others!!!... it is absolutely Disgusting :( This is the # 919-865-9399 (Stay cautious and safe)
Cyndilouwho
January 30, 2020
Enforcement action is being taken for fraudulent activity on your social security number is what this number( 503-376-6491 ) sent. This is a scam right?
notonmywatch
January 30, 2020
While filling out the SSA online app for benefits I received a call on the number that I put in the phone field. The guy stated he was from SSA and my number was suspended due to criminal activity in Texas and the FBI has opened a case. Not sure if he was real as I was having a problem creating a account. He passed me over to his supervisor, at which point I told him he was scaring the .... out of me and I would go to my local office and hung up. This all transpired within 30 mins of getting a Apple scam call on our home phone the only Apple in this house is the one in the fridge. These types of calls will be stopped at some point but until then best to hang up.
Doug W
January 30, 2020
My call came from 202-539-0027
julio dominguez
January 30, 2020
‭(786) 369-5846‬ is a number thats engaging in this scam
Speak out
January 30, 2020
Same SIN threat. Call showed as Maple Ridge, BC 1 (604) 478 7620
aggravated
January 30, 2020
2 phone calls today to inform me that my SS# was used to commit fraud at the border with Mexico I was told to push the number 1 button to talk with a Ranger. the numbers were (510)053 9623 and (510) 304 3158
Not trusting a…
January 30, 2020
Today I got a call from 831-282-9254, answered and they were already leaving a voicemail that said my SS number was going to be suspended unless I call 833835770....they cut out and then repeated. The lady said I had to appear before the magistrate about my case number. Sounded FAKE. Now I know it was!
Nadia2020
January 30, 2020
I keep getting calls from this number 1-800-310-1440 stating that they found some illegal actions on my social and I could have a warrant for my arrest. It’s a total scam after reading this I know I won’t fall for this.
grammy
January 30, 2020
Got a few of these call today. They leave threatening messages. Don't fall for it!!
dot
January 30, 2020
I called the social security office number and talked to them and right after I hung up I started receiving these kinds of spam calls. Never received a spam call on my cell phone before. Could someone at the social security office be selling or just giving out phone numbers?????
Red71
January 31, 2020
I received a call from 866 487 1788 stating that he was from SSA and my number was suspended due to illegal activity in my name I made the mistake by confirming my ss number and birthday but didn’t give any of my bank account numbers His said his name was Ethan Foster These addresses were the ones he said attached to my name was being used for illegal activity 1245 East 16th Ave El Paso, Texas 7609 Ocean Ave El Paso, Texas
LWDD
January 31, 2020
This number 888-478-1494 is a fraudulent call pretending to be social security office.
Cautious
January 31, 2020
800-979-3098 is the latest Number to add to the list of fraudulent SSA calls. Just got this one.
John Rambo
January 31, 2020
844-293-8184 left a voicemail with a computer generated voice saying basically the same thing. Faud activity and to call back before you are Prosecuted in court.
Everett
January 31, 2020
800-873-7244 received a nearly identical call this morning from the above number. 01/31/2020
bjamin82
January 31, 2020
Just received a similar call asking to call 314-463-8272 stating we will be arrested if you don't call
LyricSop
January 31, 2020
I am getting calls every day this week- Jan 2020- from them. I eventually decided to press 1 to talk with someone and the lady asked for my name and info and I told her if you called me, you have it. She said I needed to provide my info for her to pull up my info. I said we weren't going to get anywhere if that was the case because they would have it if they called me. Then she hung up on me without another word.
Jason
January 31, 2020
All numbers below called me. All are related to SSN scam. (880) 551-9167 (800) 428-4361 (800) 400-0943 (800) 401-1451 (800) 400-3418 (800) 402-3182 (800) 402-8084
eb
January 31, 2020
I just got a call saying my ssn was going to be suspended. This is the number 1-800-340-2483. I called the number back and it doesn’t work now...
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