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Your Social Security number is an important key for an identity thief. Scammers want it, and they think of all sorts of ways to trick you into giving it away.

Here at the Federal Trade Commission, we’re getting reports about calls from scammers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. They say there’s been a computer problem, and they need to confirm your Social Security number.

Other people have told us that they have come across spoof websites that look like the place where you would apply for a new Social Security card – but these websites are actually a setup to steal your personal information.

If you get a phone call or are directed to a website other than ssa.gov that is claiming to be associated with the Social Security Administration, don’t respond. It’s most likely a scam.

Here’s some tips to deal with these government imposters:

  • Don’t give the caller your information. Never give out or confirm sensitive information – like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number – unless you know who you’re dealing with. If someone has contacted you, you can’t be sure who they are.
  • Don’t trust a name or number. Con artists use official-sounding names to make you trust them. To make their call seem legitimate, scammers use internet technology to spoof their area code – so although it may seem they are calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
  • Check with the Social Security Administration. The SSA has a warning about these scams and suggests you contact them directly at 1-800-772-1213 to verify the reason for the contact and the person’s identity prior to providing any information to the caller.

If you come across one of these scams, please report it to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271, or 1-866-501-2101(TTY), and then tell the FTC about it.

Search Terms
identity theft
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Topics
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Scams
Phishing 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.

Annonymous
August 14, 2019
Received call from 908-418-4711...it was a robocall saying my SS# was suspended due to a letter received from Federal Crimes and Investigations Department.
HowRd
August 15, 2019
Some keeps calling saying my ss has been used the num is 315 514 3134. Clam there on SF there from over seas sound India Pakistan .
GDDon't use yo…
August 15, 2019
Hi got a call from 510- 970- 2380 from a man named Mathias. Said he was from SS and I should call him back. I recently did apply for SS benefits about 3 weeks ago. So I am sure this is a scam and will not be calling him back.
George
August 15, 2019
Three days, three different numbers: 214-295-9898 214-210-8966 214-283-2005
Concerned
August 15, 2019
I received several phone calls today from a Beverly Hills, CA number (424) 363-0345 saying my social security number has been compromised.
David
August 15, 2019
Just received a call from the number (800) 590-8556 saying that my SS has been blocked and all my benefits were on hold. Be careful out there with all these scammers!
Lady Dragon
August 16, 2019
4048848218 called me with a robot recording asking me to call them asap due to ssc fraud with my number. I have also been getting calls saying that I am being sued for ssc fraud.
Citizen
August 16, 2019
800-671-8430 is also a persistent caller with the usual press 1 prompt to a scammer
Big Guy
August 16, 2019
1-833-152-9996 claiming to be from the Social Security stating that your social security number has been suspended and then they start asking for your personal information.
Phil
August 16, 2019
Just recv'd a robocall supposedly from the SSA that my SS # was suspended as it was used for fraudulent activity on the Texas border. Wasn't even from a complete # as caller ID read 80062637. Sure, I'll select #1 to talk w/a rep ... NOT. Really getting sick & tired of these type of calls
Richard
August 16, 2019
Received a scam call allegedly from the SSA on phone number (803) 877-7393. When I returned the call, it was some type of boiler room operation.
bornlastnight
August 16, 2019
Got two calls today one from a recorded Canadian accent (800)864-5367 and another from a scratchy computer voice (800)927-3431 saying I am under investigation for social security fraud it then rang an operator and hung up.
Rockgal
August 16, 2019
I have received a number of the fraud calls. I checked the numbers, I have received voice mails as well. Here are the phone numbers: 310-626-0999 (not shown as spam on reverse phone lookup by White Pages) and others shown as scams; Houston TX. 713-258-7857; and 855-473-0325
professional77
August 16, 2019
I just got a voicemail from an 808 area code number saying SSN has been suspended!?! 2 nd time in the last few months! It was a recorded line. All scam bs !
Vilma
August 18, 2019
I received a call that was on my voice mail stating there was suspicious activity. It was very robotic. I did call back and it went to voice mail. REALLY!!! That call came from 808-443-4536. I pray this EVIL to stop!
tomsandiego
August 19, 2019
Received call from this number (281)346-9396 telling us about our social security number being suspended...very concerning
dark
August 19, 2019
It is 11:43 AM Arizona time. I received a call from the phone number 516-148-2760. It was a robo call. The recording had a male voice, with somewhat of an accent. He said he was with the SSA and because of suspicious activity, my social security number had been suspended. Then he added if I would like to find out about this activity, press 1 now. I just listened, and didn't say or press anything. The message repeated, then the caller hung up. I know they target elderly people, because they are most often the population receiving social security. They are sometimes scared easily, not knowing that the call is a scam. Please let anyone you know who is receiving social security, especially if they are elderly, let them know about these scams, and not to give anyone personal, or financial information over the phone, unless they have made the call themselves. Nobody else from the government is going to call them generally, or at least, if they do, they should leave a phone number to call them back on.
Ridiculous scammers
August 19, 2019
Asap Best Loc shows in caller id. Phone number 210 774 3986. Leaves nessage with urgency and threats
abble
August 19, 2019
SCAMMERS
sandie
August 19, 2019
I received a call from a man and he said my ssnumber was being used iligaly and wanted me to answer some questions here is the number he called from 1806 391 7991 please let me know if this is real thank you sandie
amcgavi
August 19, 2019
In the past week I have had 3 phone calls from 3 different 800 #'s. 1-800-874-0569, 1-800-668-2806, 1-800-312-3075. I have not answered the calls. All three left the same voicemail: "Due to legal enforcement actions filed on your SS# for a fraudulent activities to get more information about this case file and arrest warrant from federal database to speak with agent press 1 for further information." Is this legit or one of the scams?
MaryBeth
August 19, 2019
Received several calls from the following numbers: 516 515 7006, 714 412 6505 and 714 506 2072. All robot calls saying our SSNS had been compromised. Scam calls.
Nicholas
August 19, 2019
Just received a call saying my social security call is being used in Texas number they called me from is 818 324 6695 Look everyone if these people are legit they would already have your social and info never give anyone your info call your local ssi office or worker but never give your info for these scammers
Fraud Alert
August 20, 2019
(920)221-7732 is impersonating a Social Security Administration.
Stephanie Don'…
August 20, 2019
I got 5 calls yesterday Aug 19 saying my SS number had been in in identity theft and to stay on phone talk to officer. I waited I got this like Spanish lady then saying she couldn't understand me . I told her well you all call me 3 times she hung up number was 1 714-813-5772
Judy
August 20, 2019
I received a call from someone that said they were from the so security office and claiming that my so security was compromised and they were going to discontinue it. The phone number that came from my collar ID was 1 800 308- 4022 . I call the social security office they gave me a phone number to call to report it and that's was nightmare line you just keep going through different options which has nothing to do with reporting it from the phone and then when you finally get to the right options it gives you a website in tells you to go to the website. I guess they really don't wanna hear about these type of fraud because they would make it a little bit better to get the information out. IF you get any of these calls telling you that you're so security has been compromised and that they are going to cancel it hang up on these calls they are fraud.
safetyman
August 20, 2019
Just received call stating I've been involved with fraudulent activities regarding social security and prior to legal action being taken I need to contact Social Security Administration. The number came from 833-545-0094. Has anyone else received similar call??
pat1947
August 20, 2019
My husband and I have separate cell phones and today at approximately the same time we received scam calls from the SS Administration telling us our benefits were suspended because of suspicious activity . Calls were from 1-800-800-8034 & 1-718-396-5011. This has been reported to Hiya (cell phone fraud app) and now here.
JR
August 20, 2019
just got a call with scam written all over it, for those who receive the same call. The number they called from is not a legitimate number. call back number 1-888-348-3636
PauL
August 20, 2019
I received a robo-voicemail from 210-943-3559 saying they were the SS Administration. I called them back and immediately they sounded shady - no voice recorded greeting, just some guy saying, hello, then when I ask what number is this, he says it's the SSA. Hung up.
Rener
August 20, 2019
+18002581987 called and gave me some story about my ssn being suspended.
WeiDon't use y…
August 21, 2019
I have called from 1+5092926415 Chattaroy, WA for many times, Then I picked up one time and he said he is from Social Security Administration and my name and my phone number is susprious user, so he asked me to verify my ss # and my full name. I told him "I am not stupid like you are, don't call me again I will report you caller number to SSA" then he hanged up. I just want to tell this number or any numbers called from SSA, they are scammers.
Anonymity
August 21, 2019
Got a call from "Officer Amanda Barnes" reporting that my SSN was used for fraudulent activities and that I should press 1 to continue for details. The number reporting this incident is 214-221-0013
anon
November 25, 2019

In reply to by Anonymity

ME TOO! I just looked up some information about officer amanda Barnes and I got led here. The number they used for me was one near my area.
dug
November 26, 2019

In reply to by Anonymity

I’ve had two calls today from “Amanda Barnes” from two different numbers claiming fraudulent use of my SSN.
Dude
December 09, 2019

In reply to by Anonymity

I just received a call from Amanda Barnes as well, from the number 510-970-0518
anonymous
December 10, 2019

In reply to by Anonymity

got a call from 'amanda barnes' as well (robo call). from (419) 121-1838
anon
December 11, 2019

In reply to by Anonymity

I've received the same call today 5 times, each time the robot leaves the same voicemail. From "my name is Officer Amanda Barnes". Mine came from a 401 number, as my cell number is from RI as well.
huh!!!
December 17, 2019

In reply to by Anonymity

Got a call from "Officer Amanda Barnes" reporting that my SSN was used for fraudulent activities and that I should press 1 to continue for details. The number she was calling from is 361-202-0097
Maryland senior
September 21, 2020

In reply to by ROSY1438

Amanda Barnes (or a robo call using that name) is still out there calling. I've gotten three calls in the past few days. I didn't answer. Be careful; it's a crazy world full of really nasty people.
Anonymous
August 26, 2021

In reply to by Maryland senior

Still getting the call in 2021, area code started with 805 this time.
Jojo
February 23, 2020

In reply to by Anonymity

I have had calls daily swing my ssn is being discontinued and now I am getting calls from Officer Amanda Barnes from (620)622-3364 (Protection,KS) the voice mail is a robo call telling me south of the Texas border is fraudulent use of my Ssn# press 1 to continue
Don't use your…
July 05, 2020

In reply to by Jojo

I received this voice mail twice this week. Same story from Amanda Barnes. My SS# was used fraudulently in South Texas
Radar
October 21, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Just got the Officer Amanda Barnes call for the 2nd time today. I live in NC. Beware!
LegoCityDude1992
November 02, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

I too have heard from that Fake voice twice.
Scam in Maryland
March 04, 2020

In reply to by Anonymity

I also got a call from officer Amanda Burnes. This was the number they called me from: 301-906-6805
Floridian
August 17, 2020

In reply to by Anonymity

Same scam, but they didn't even bother to use a Texas number calling me. Spokane area code.
Anony
August 17, 2020

In reply to by Anonymity

Same. Officer Amanda Barnes, 2 different local numbers today.
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