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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.

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Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
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Phishing Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators

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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.

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.

LoBy
June 11, 2021

In reply to by Ned

I got 2 calls today from the St. Louis area as well. Both claiming to be Officer Amanda Barnes.
K6apcm
October 22, 2020

In reply to by Anonymity

Same voicemail. I don't answer numbers I don't know. Never have never will. If it's something important they will leave a voice mail. Call came from 203-300-5776. I'm in Connecticut
FRED
November 23, 2020

In reply to by Anonymity

Same phone call happening in NC with a 704 area code number
Notusingemailaddy
August 21, 2019
Got a call today, from NOT PROVIDED 844 426 5325 didn't have the volume up on voicemail but could tell the caller had an accent of some sort, like the others, said my SSN was compromised and, of course, call them back at that number and give them my SSN. Yeah, ok. SCAM, and if I knew where to report it I would, like to the real SS agency.
DLM
August 21, 2019
On 8/19/19 received recorded call from 202-760-4854/ 202-746-4269/ 202-745-6532 /202-754-4095. Message said "this is the SSA PR department, we are calling since there is fraudulent activity with your social security number and FSA account" than something about being arrested. To press 1 to speak to officer...it hung up if you do nothing
Ed
August 21, 2019
12142571295 Depositing new message Name is officer Amanda Barns and the purpose of the call we are trying to reach you to let you know that your social security number is been used for some kind of fraudulent activities in the South border of Texas. So please in order go ahead and get more information to speak with office or press one I repeat press one hi this call is from social security administration office my name is officer Amanda Barns and the purpose of the call we are trying to reach you to let you know that your social security number is been used for some kind of fraudulent activities in the South border of Texas. So please in order go ahead and get more information to speak with officer press one I repeat press one thank you and have a great day.
johnh
December 06, 2019

In reply to by Ed

I received the same message today (12/6/2019). This scam seems to never end.
Cris
January 06, 2020

In reply to by Ed

I have gotten the same voicemail 3 times today from 3 different number area code 361
BigTim
August 21, 2019
Repeated calls from 855-287-4793; When I finally answered one, first there was a female voice (recorded message) saying something about fraudulent usage detected, then a foreign sounding man came on, barely understandable, and said "Thanks for calling the Social Security Administration" - to which I replied "You called me" after that I couldn't understand what he was saying but had my answer (scam) so I hung up.
sb
August 21, 2019
I am also getting fake calls from different numbers saying { this call is from the department of social security administration the reason you have received this phone call from your department is to inform you that we just suspended your SSN because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press on thank you. The fake call came from +1 718 690 5136. Dear friends, be careful don't follow instructions from fake calls.
Pals
August 21, 2019
I have had about 15 calls today, most of them from different phone numbers claiming to be from Social Security and the last one saying a suspension notice has been received from the Federal Crime Investigation Department to suspend my Social Security Card and they need to talk to me immediately. The earlier calls today just said I needed to call the given number immediately. The last number they called from was !-800=940-3370. It's been the same voice on every call whether from Texas, New York, Conneticut or New Hampshire. I was told by a person who worked for SS that they would never call for info.
H Conner
August 21, 2019
Received a call from a TX number- robot voice said my ssn has been used for fraudulent activity south of the border. # was 214 271 1949
Tennessee
August 21, 2019
Just got call from 916-553-7692 about my social security number being suspended because of suspicious activity.
Robert Lorenz
August 21, 2019
Just got a phone call from 800-359-2333. I answer and a recording says there was fraud on my social security and that I would be in trouble. I hung up and called back. I lady answered say they were a medical alert people. I hung up. I tried again the a message saying that number doesn't work in my area. I tried a third time and the same message says that number don't work in my area.
RhondaWXYZ
August 21, 2019
There is a phone scam out of Kingston Springs, TN. I tried to deal with the S.S. lousy automated phone system to report it but it did not work. These idiots are calling from 615 378-0386 and trying to get people's social security numbers.
joeywest51
August 21, 2019
Call claimed to be social security and claimed my account would’ve frozen and to contact them asap. # that call came from 1-800-927-8473 Thus is not the first call from these crooks.
MichiganResident
August 22, 2019
Got a message from New York phone number. Says my social security number had been suspended. Phone number: 315-284-5375
Ginger
August 22, 2019
718-039-9877 - robocall and left a vm, stating there is suspicious activity associated with my SSN and they are suspending my number.
martin680
August 22, 2019
I just received a call from(866-366-9349) saying my social security number had been suspended press 1 for more information .I pressed 1 and man came on the line and said my name is officer John and I need the last 4 numbers of my SS # .I said I don't give my info over the phone . He stormed out at me and said well your in big trouble and hung up.I hope they catch these crooks.
Chief Joe
August 22, 2019
Received a call from 512-471-0000 at 11:00 am CST. I let it go to my voicemail. The female caller threatened me with being arrested if I didn't respond to the call.
BlessedandHF
August 22, 2019
Not that I have been scammed, in July I received a message on my cellphone informing me that my social security payments would be canceled and to call back the number, which I did not. Today a message was left on my home phone with the same message. The call came from phone number 206-451-8293.
andyhs
August 22, 2019
Got a call from +1 (941) 341-9194 Claiming that my SS has been locked and there is a warrant arrest for me. Pressed #1 to talk to an operator and an Indian voice answer with "Social Security Investigator, how can I help you?" to which after a few seconds in silence I replied - "you are the one who needs help" and the call was dropped.
ConcernedinSeattleWA
August 22, 2019
I got a phone call while at work from (713) 258-7861 and the caller left a robo voicemail that stated "This is the Social Security. Kindly call back at 713-258-7861 before we begin legal proceedings." The message ended with the machine saying "have a nice day" but it froze at have "Have a..." then pronounced the letters N and I then finished as "ice day". I called the number back and they wouldn't say who they were but asked for my information. There was a significant amount of noise and a bizarre mechanical tonal noise in the background. Hung up without providing any information.
HArtist
August 22, 2019
I received two calls today from (240) 219-5834 with a recorded message claiming that my SS account is being evaluated for criminal activity. It directed me to phone back in order to insure that I am not prosecuted.
Human
August 22, 2019
I received a call from (315) 284-5147 in New York claiming to be SSA and need to talk to me. I was left a voicemail. Googled the # and it led me here.
Webe
August 22, 2019
Received a recorded call from 883-162-1722 telling me that my Social Security number has been suspended. Please press 1 for more information. I simply hung up.
yehama2
August 22, 2019
My hubby and I are getting these calls too. One came from 866-585-8975. The number belongs to BMW of Annapolis America which is a BMW Dealership. Calling SSA Fraud number next to report.
Greg
August 22, 2019
They called today from 833 294 1414 and 844 554 6627. Both Social Security Scams. Got another call that showed up on caller ID as Social Security and actually showed the 800 number for Social Security. It wasn't them.
geoherms
August 22, 2019
18005457467 I just got a phone message from the above number with instructions on how to get through to an officer dad if he did not get a message then procedure would be started to initiate an arrest warrant part of those instructions required I ended the last four digits of my social security number I did not but did send message that they may have wrong number
georggy
August 22, 2019
I HAVE BEEN GETTING CALLS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY SAYING MYNUMBER IS BEING USED IN ANOTHER STATE, THIS IS THE THIRD CALL I HAVE RECEIVED SO IF YOU GET A CALL FROM THIS NUMBER PLEASE REPORT IT.1-800-I02-0152
apple
August 23, 2019
Here is the latest 806-256-6977 from Texas. This is a voicemail transcript with some awkward grammar: "The reason we are trying to contact you is just to notify that we are proceeding ahead with some legal enforcement actions against you as there is a legal lawsuit filed on your name as your social information is being involved in some fraudulent activities. So as soon as you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible time on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings that is 806-256-6977. I repeat 806-256-6977. Thank you and have a nice day. If you wish to speak with our executive then press one now..."
West Will
August 23, 2019
New scam number: 253-881-6239 Says Social Security has issued an arrest warrant against me.
Mary
August 23, 2019
I've been getting the same calls twice this week from this number 1 800 452 0284 saying there was a warrant for my arrest. When will the government stop this from happening.
darnscammers
August 23, 2019
Officer Amanda Barnes called me from 214-282-9620 the recording informed my social security number had been compromised in South Texas.
scammerssuck
September 13, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

I got the exact same voicemail from 905-407-7761 today 9/13/2019
SSScams
September 18, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

I got the same voicemail today 9.18.19 from number 915-887-1331
llama
September 18, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

Just got the same call from Amanda Barns from 513.476.6205 at 6pm tonight and from 513.476.2918 at 2pm today
hal9001
September 27, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

Officer Barnes sure does get around! Just called me from 415-407-7823. Pretty lame voice synth too.
Another Senior
October 28, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

Ole Amanda Barnes has been calling my wife all day with her robot call. Guess she likes her! Lol!
SeniorDude
October 28, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

Ole Amanda Barnes has been calling my wife all day with her robot call. Guess she likes her! Lol!
scammersaretrash
October 30, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

Got 4 calls on Monday from officer Barns from four different numbers. two 800 and one with MN area code and the other from an Ohio area code.
plkh
November 10, 2019

In reply to by darnscammers

i received 5 calls on 11-8-2019 from different numbers saying the same thing that my SS number had been used in south texas, south new mexico and south mexico, 4 of the calls said Officer Amanda Barnes, the other just said Officer.
Amanuel
August 23, 2019
I just got this voice message and not sure if I should respond/call back “This phone call from our department is to inform you that there are legal enforcement actions filed against you and your Social Security number is been suspected for fraudulent activities so once you get this message call us back as soon as possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings against you that is 361-245-8675 I repeat 361-245-8675 Social Security department Sagen is waiting for your call back…”
Don't use your…
November 09, 2019

In reply to by Amanuel

Of course don't call back. Read all these comments and don't ever give information.
josieD
August 26, 2019
Scammers called with this number: 315-284-5285
tonybot3
August 26, 2019
it makes zero sense.... if MY number was the one compromised, why would I be the one they are placing a warrant out for arrest? Am i being arrested for mis-using my own damn number? What would an example even be of my mis-using my own number?
softheart
August 26, 2019
just got a scam call about social security the number was 315-284-5870 ,he was all cool tell l told him his mama was a goat loving pork eater then he lost it ,so far he has not call back
RD
August 26, 2019
Robo call from 602-577-3203 stating my ssn was fraudulently used on southern border of Texas, supposed to press 1 to speak to an officer. I didn't do that so not sure where it takes you.
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