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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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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.

Michael
May 25, 2018
Just received a call from 210-305-8333. They claim that my SSA number was being suspended because of activity in TEXAS.
DONNA
March 01, 2021

In reply to by Michael

I also received a call saying the same thing ... but call was from 269-422-6453
Angel
June 06, 2018
My daughter received a call from a 615-255-9245 Message said it was disconnected and call 877-808-5461 the message said it was Tennessee SS and was closed on Wednesdays from 8-12. I told her do not accept calls from them or give ANY information. Total SCAM
Heather P
June 08, 2018
I received a voice mail from 903-600-0638 saying my SSN had been compromised. My husband called it and it was a "US Marshall" I guess. Doesn't sound legit to me.
clad
March 06, 2020

In reply to by Heather P

903 402 9346 texas 3:46 pm ssa law enforcment identy thief threatened my ss card and my son said let someone know.
Philippe
June 08, 2018
I received two similar calls today from 302-786-9257 (Delaware) "My name is James Potter calling you from the head office of Social Security... Please contact your emergency helpline number at 302-786-9257..."
Ylindergma
June 12, 2018
I just got a phone call from an 844 area code number claiming to be Social Security Administration office that my social security number has been compromised fraudulently and my assets are frozen and for me to please call that 844 number so I called the number and after 2 rings a gentleman picks up identifying himself as an officer of the Social Security Administration and he asked me my name so I told him my name and he asked me again and then he repeats my name to me and he repeated I said you know what business is this again? and he said this was the Social Security Administration I said you know what no I'm going to call my social security office and I hung up immediately I got suspicious I said to myself girl you better not give out your information you better check this out and I am so glad I did check it out these people are just so crazy they think that we are really stupid and continuously do these crazy scam I just don't get it!!!
CARBS72
June 12, 2018

In reply to by Ylindergma

My mother just got a similar call. Please remember that any state or government agencies will NEVER CALL you. Their only form of communication is by letter first. HUNDREDS of ppl are getting scammed this way. My mother called me in a panic. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS. THEY WILL NEVER CALL!
DapanZi
June 14, 2018
I received a message a Texas which asked me to call 1-361-879-6933. It claimed that they called from SSA.
Linnierp
June 15, 2018
I've received two calls today. The first left a message, said "Hello, this is Officer Linda Jones from the headquarters of Social Security Administration.Your social security number has been compromised, we request you to contact your case worker concerned at 361-879-6933" They called back a 2nd time.
VJanitor
June 19, 2018

In reply to by Linnierp

I also received two call today same as previous post, "Hello, this is Officer Linda Jones from the headquarters of Social Security Administration.Your social security number has been compromised, we request you to contact your case worker concerned at 361-879-6933"
stop scams
November 21, 2019

In reply to by VJanitor

Phone calls and fake gift card scams, please nothing is free , because if the scammer is giving it away they didn't have in the first place to give else they would be using it themselves, free i phone free this , Delete and report
Aggravated
June 15, 2018
Keeps calling saying their is a warrant out for my arrest. I need your ssn to take care of this. The first numbers are the same but last four numbers change. The numbers are always 214-613-and the last four different numbers. Getting really frustrated with this. Why the government stop these calls!!!
Jai
June 27, 2018

In reply to by Aggravated

Off-shore, spoofing US phone numbers. The US has no jurisdiction outside its territories. Info per the FTC some years ago.
Grace
June 15, 2018
Automated voice says" "Hi This is Damian calling from the head office of Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number has been compromised and it is getting suspended today. Please call your allotted paralegal officer at 651-243-3075. I repeat 651-243-3075. Thank you.".... SSN do not get suspended ...
C Rainwater
June 15, 2018
Today I got a call on my cell phone that a warren had been issued and call The Social Security at this number 214-613 8728..A Dallas A/C number.When I called back I got a recording from a "Magic Jack" phone... SCAM I filled up the voice mail with call backs with messages telling them they are the scum of the earth.... guess I don't have enough to do...HA HA HA.
Marie
June 18, 2018
Got this call this morning: "Hi This is Damian calling from the head office of Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number has been compromised and it is getting suspended today. Please call your allotted paralegal officer at 651-243-3075. I repeat 651-243-3075. Thank you.", just as Grace did above. Even the premise is foolish...why would my social security account be suspended? Credit card maybe, social security never.
SWilliams
June 18, 2018
I got the same call today. Automated voice says" "Hi This is Damian calling from the head office of Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number has been compromised and it is getting suspended today. Please call your allotted paralegal officer at 651-243-3075. I repeat 651-243-3075. Thank you.".... SSN do not get suspended
AOldham
June 18, 2018
I got a call 2x today from 651-243-3075 saying my social security number was compromised. It was a robo call and gave me another # to call and "fix" the issue before all my assets are frozen.
Goodgrief
June 19, 2018
I received this call today: Automated voice says" "Hi This is Damian calling from the head office of Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number has been compromised and it is getting suspended today. Please call your allotted paralegal officer at 651-243-3075. I repeat 651-243-3075. Thank you."
FTC Staff
June 19, 2018

In reply to by Goodgrief

That's a scam.

Please report it to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

Chris
June 20, 2018
I received two phone calls today stating my Social Security number has been suspended. First call was an automated woman’s voice and the second was an automated males voice. The number they used was 1-401-526-4697. I called back just to see what the actual scam was. I got an answering machine stating to leave my name and number. The voice on the machine was an actual person that sounded mid eastern. I just hung up. I also had received a few phone calls a couple months ago stating there was a warrant out for my arrest. I guess these people never stop. I feel bad for the people who do fall it. My bet is the elderly get it the worst.
Don't use your…
June 21, 2018
I got a call from 5304265142 today ,was real rude said his name was John green with the social security administrator
ctwnsdgo210
June 27, 2018
I just got a scam call from someone saying they were with social security and if I didn't call 214-810-7094 I was to be arrested and my soc # would be blocked. Just for your information although I don't know how you can ever catch theres fraud calls.
Jai
June 27, 2018
Got a call today from a Montague NJ number, a recording saying my SS# has been used in a fraud. At first it sounded like someone else committed the fraud, but then it went on to say I would be arrested for fraud. I called the number back and got a man with an Indian accent saying it was the SS office. I asked why they would call with a recording. He said I can send it in writing. I said no thanks, you're a scammer and hung up.
tomncincy
June 27, 2018
I answered my 92 year old aunts phone this afternoon and it was a recorded message stating that her Social Security number had been suspended due to criminal activity. I just chuckle and hung up. The number showed up on her caller ID as Easton, MD 410-819-9445 It never ceases to amaze me the extent these dirt bags will go to extort unsuspecting souls out of their money. Last year it was the IRS scam now this, good grief enough already!
LA062818
June 28, 2018
I got a call this morning asking me to call 617-977-4912 saying my SSN is compromised and it will be suspended today if I don't call back.
JohnS
June 28, 2018
Received a robo call from 1-844-567-6394 in regards to illegal activity on my Social Security Number and advising of freezing of assets if I did not contact them immediately. Scam obviously.
Steven
June 29, 2018
Prior to reading so many posts about other people receiving calls threatening lawsuits against them or threats having thier Social Security numbers adversely effected I was feeling all alone thinking these are call are not so common so they must be legitimate. Furthermore, trying to get any helpful information on the internate is useless as to do so is just as frustrating as these phone calls U receive because they want my money too. Threatentings my Social Security is especially disturbing because back in 2016 and due to medical issues related to diabetes I was told I could not return to work therefore if my Social Security number should ever be compromised that would no doubt effect my only source of income. It just occurred to me, is it possible the callers know about my health issues and using a threat related to my S.S. # is a tactic to get me to return thier call? It just all so frustrating and fearful to my daily existence. I wish you legal and legitimate law agencies would figure out a process to end such harrassment once and for all. I got four such calls earlier today, alone. 760-223-7761, 855-869-4698 this number is associated with the first number I have listed and is supposedly thier legal department. 585-563-1131 and 916-915-3841. I have no intention of giving these callers the satisfaction of calling them back. From what I understand thier is a specific process that debt collectors legally have to follow that protects consumers. One being a letter and other such documentation they must provide to the consumer. If I do not receive such documentation no phone call is going to do it for me. Although I must admit threatening my Social Security # nearly did and actually still has me shook up but I suppose it's all part of thier plan.
hali
June 29, 2018
being called from 1-210-666-9910 caller has indian accent and identifying himself as officer brandy.
Smarter than that
June 30, 2018
I missed a call yesterday and a recording was left on my voicemail. A call came again today from the same number,2102398634. This time I answered. The recording said this was my final warning that my SS number was being suspended. Please call my paralegal immediately. Really? This makes no sense. SCAM!
SickinID
July 10, 2018

In reply to by Smarter than that

That's what I was told, also. Then the very detailed and elaborate story began... Please read my post, dated 7/10/18
kstn4th
July 02, 2018
530- 426-8821 This number called me and knew my name, address and SS# - and threatened me because I said they were a scam.
JZNO13
July 03, 2018
got a call today stating that my SS# has been frozen due to illegal activity. Stated that if I did no call back my SS# would it would stay frozen. the number is: 866-745-0604
sbybee
July 03, 2018
My daughter just got a call from 1-631-658-0629 saying that her social security # is going to be suspended and that she needs to call back the same number immediately. I told her that this is a scam.
SmartNic
July 05, 2018
From "Smarter than that" posted on June 30. I just got the same exact message "I missed a call yesterday and a recording was left on my voicemail. A call came again today from the same number,2102398634. This time I answered. The recording said this was my final warning that my SS number was being suspended. Please call my paralegal immediately. Really?" the phone number mine was called from was 617-977-4912. SCAMMMM
Don't use your…
July 05, 2018
If I may offer a few tips. My identity was stolen twice. I get these same annoying calls being talked about here. Cell phones and land lines. Www.donotcall.gov. it's still available for free it does work. And it will also tell you the original date you signed up for it. If you had before. I renew every six months. Every person is allowed by law to access their credit reports from each major reporting agency every year. There are 3. So if you do it every 4 months. You can stay on top of what your credit report looks like. The info that should and should not be on it. You can also tag your credit reports to NOT allow anyone to check your credit unless you authorize it. Lastly those numbers that call? Block them ..landline or cell it can be done its easy to do. Sure these scam places have multiple numbers..after you block a few of them I have found they don't bother with you as much..because when we are smart consumers taking charge of our own identity ..S.S.N etc? They move on. Lastly Cell phones and landlines have a feature decline call..decline with message don't answer..it also shows who's calling. Turn these features on! Lets use what we have to keep our identities and the identities of our young children and our aged population safe from these scamming identity stealing free loaders!
Shelly
July 05, 2018
They called and asked for my son mispronouncing his name. I hung up. They called right back asking for him again and said they were from the investigative Social Security office and that my son's SS# was going to be suspended for illegal activity from him. I laughed and hung up then blocked the number. The number was 530-426-8821
Larry in Idaho
August 02, 2018

In reply to by Shelly

same exact thing is happening from this number: 1-240-900-9972 exactly the same thing. also, those people pull other bs. this one: Free cruise, all you have to do is tell everyone how awesome it was so they want to go as well. also another where the guy says hes from the gift distribution center but doesn't know what company when you ask him , then he freaks out and hangs up, calls back in a few days, his name is JOE usually. LOL there is a few automated tapes that call but they are ridiculously hard to hear.
nell50
July 06, 2018
Had a message left on my phone, saying this was Social Security Admin. Number to call was 214-810-7094. Thankfully we don't answer the phone if we don't recognize the number.
Tom
December 17, 2018

In reply to by nell50

The number I got a bogus call from was 210-686-2063.
Help2222
July 06, 2018
I got a call from 210-346-8926. Alen Foster who I could barley understand said my ss# was found in a drug bust in Texas and there was a warrant out for me in Texas. He want to know how many bank accounts and credit cards I had and all the balances. He said he was going to close my ss# down due to this drug case in Texas. This is crazy. What are these people trying to do.
SickinID
July 10, 2018

In reply to by Help2222

I got the exact same call, but from #631-658-1265. When I talked to them, I was "transferred" to allegedly a D.E.O. (Drug Enforcement Officer). They completely preyed on me and had me in tears.
Jay
July 09, 2018
I just got a call from the number ‭(202) 830-3974‬, saying that I have multiple suspicious acitivites with my SSN, and need to contact him ASAP, or I could be arrested.
stopscams
July 10, 2018

In reply to by Jay

my friend received the same info with same number as you in robo recording.
Robert
May 22, 2019

In reply to by Jay

I received the same sort of information in a robo-call from 830-201-3609 in Marble Falls, TX (according to my caller ID). The call indicated that I needed to call back immediately, and ended with the line "Make sure you give us a call back before you are arrested." I didn't do this, but instead reported it to the FTC.
CarlosP
May 23, 2019

In reply to by Robert

I had the same calls back to back, same message and it had a robo-voice. It was from marble falls, tx and it asked to call back otherwise I will be arrested...
Ohnoyoudidnt
July 10, 2018
Just had 2 messages telling me that "Your SS number has been compromised and used for illegal activities please contact your allotted paralegal officer at 617-977-4912 immediately failing with we which will freeze your assets and forfeit.
SickinID
July 12, 2018
I just fell prey to a scam. I honestly never thought I would. I got a call from this number: 631-658-1256. In the beginning of the call, we were cut off. When I called back, they answered "Social Security Administration." I was given a very thorough story about my identity being used in Texas, and it is connected to several serious crimes, including Money Laundering, Cocaine, a rental car with blood inside. He gave me his "badge number," a "case id number," and a "warrant id number." Then he asked me to hold while he transferred me to the DEA Officer in charge of my case. He went into great detail about what they'd allegedly uncovered, and my social security number was being frozen, and assets being seized. I was in tears, as he explained all of this. Then, he needed me to Verify info with him, to assist & insure that my assets would not be touched. I gave him my social security number, my birth date, both cell phone numbers (so they could contact me in the future), and my home address. They then asked where I banked, and I did tell him the name of the institution, but nothing else. I've filled a scam alert with the FTC & am attempting to contact Social Security Administration, locally. (That was also an oddity... The person I spoke to prior to being transferred, asked me to come down to the local office to discuss the details of the matter.
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