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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
imposter
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Topics
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Scams
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.

Same here
July 17, 2018

In reply to by SickinID

Sickin - the exact same story was used on my 75 y/o Mom this morning. She did the exact same thing you did and unfortunately more giving them her bank and account number and I'm afraid other things she's now too embarrassed to admit. 210-399-5093 was the number they called from which, according to some internet research, is a landline. Contacted San Antonio police hoping they'll be willing to go contact these folks to see if they've been spoofed or they are the actual scammers. Multiple calls to that number have either been busy or rang through to an automatic hang up function. I sure hope someone does something other than just chalk this up to another 'dumb' senior getting scammed. This is going to take the whole family time and money to fix and these 'people' seem to always get off scot free!
joanie
June 10, 2019

In reply to by Same here

Same phone call, ended with me being told to seek a criminal attorney. Thankfully, my husband heard the phone conversation and took the phone from me and basically told the caller where to go.
Hulkgurl
March 06, 2021

In reply to by Same here

so sorry to read this terrible injustice that happened to your Mom. Its always this group. The Senior group is targeted because they're the most vulnerable. Tough lesson to learn in these technological times. Hope you can get thru this.
Kinky
May 04, 2019

In reply to by SickinID

This was my exect experience on 5/3/19. I was so traumatized, terrified and hysterical. I gave out my info as they pretended to file a dispute resolution for me. They did asked about my bank account information and balances. I told the balance but not the account numbers. The moment they told me that part of their resolution protocol involves me withdrawing all my cash in all the banks and depositing them one so called TIB machine, a kind ATM will direct me to. My eyes popped open I told them no I wasn't comfortable with that protocol. I will rather take chances of U.S Marshall arrest. In fact, I am better off with the law enforcement than some random person over the phone asking me to do some crazy stuff. They hanged up so fast and resume calls after 10 minutes or so. I didn't pick none of calls again. I reported the incident with my local PD.
worried
September 09, 2019

In reply to by SickinID

Hi, I just fell victim to the same scam. If anyone sees this and has had the same experience, please reply and tell me what the consequences were, I'm really worried. (I gave them my full name, SS#, and home address).
Sucker Punched
October 09, 2020

In reply to by SickinID

Same exact story, 2.5 yrs later than yours! New Mexico instead of Texas, 'case involved my stolen identity, a stolen car found with blood and cocaine, found evidence of money laundering, drug trafficking, etc'. Threatened arrest, said they'd been investigating me since July but 'think I may have been innocently hacked'. Was told I need to move my money to 'protected digital locker' so it survives the scammer's attempts. I fell for it hard, crying & hyperventilating, and purchased gift cards then gave them the info. Truly sucks. They even called back while I was @ police station to report it, and call came up on my phone as '____ PD' (my town). Cop got on and asked him questions.
sgz
July 15, 2021

In reply to by Sucker Punched

The same thing happened to me today - same story , Texas, coccaine and abandoned car registered in my name and all linked to SSN . So I could easily spot its a spam call.
Freaked out
July 11, 2018
Just received a call from (210)817-9663 saying they were freezing my accounts (used my name) and they were a detective or sergeant from social security.
patriciaDon't …
July 11, 2018
i just received a call from 1(469)526-5527 which shows up on my caller id as "out of area" and the message states that "this is the social security office informing me that my social security number has been compromised and if i don't call them back immediately my bank accounts and all assets like my home, cars, etc. will be frozen! I called back on a different phone just to see what how they would answer and the asian sounding man answered, "thus is the social security office how may i help you today" and it showed up as call from texas on caller id so i hung up!! can anyone tell me if this is scam call or not--i don't want my stuff frozen!
Babydolljoy
July 11, 2018
I've been called by 3 different numbers saying that there's a warrant out for my arrest because I haven't paid my taxes. I'm on disability I don't pay taxes. And also that I must call them immediately about my SS number they have a warrant out for my arrest, I can barely understand them because they are all from India or something and when I call them out on their scam they get all huffy puffy and slam the phone down lol
iamthat
July 12, 2018
calling and saying my social security has been suspended 713 364 2074 I never called back
Howard
July 12, 2018
Receive a call this morning saying all SS payments would cease if I did not call 972-232-9749. Obvious scam. Do not call that number... I reported the call immediately to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
SS scam call
July 13, 2018
Was left a voicemail with a recording. Department of social security administration.The reason I received this phone call from their department is to inform me that there is a legal enforcement action filed on my social security number for criminal activities. For me to call 915-485-7416 Caller ID said Texas.
Username3335
October 18, 2019

In reply to by SS scam call

I got the same call today for the same thing. Only mines was from New York.
SS scam in 201…
July 06, 2020

In reply to by SS scam call

I also received a call saying there is a legal action against my SSN and to call 469-619-5572 before I am arrested.
aggravated
July 13, 2018
Why are they still doing it ? Why are they still allowed to operate.
FraudFinder
July 15, 2018
Phone message left by "Officer Logan Williams" claiming that my SSN number was going to be deactivated and I would lose all benefits unless I called 401-552-4429 "immediately" and "SAP." The phone number can easily be traced to Carolina, Rhode Island. Clearly a scam! Don't fall for it! I will report it to the SSA Fraud Hotline
ALA
July 17, 2018
713-364-2074, (713) 364-2074, 7133642074 I called and asked for the operators ID, he said his name was Officer Jason Austin and his ID was 24016. The first form of ID he asked was that I verify my phone number, I didn't, I just asked how could my SS be suspended if I am not a recipient. He asked for my number again and said this was he could check why I received a call, I said, the message said my SS was suspended and I am asking you a general question. HE HUNG UP. :) TRANSCRIPT OF MESSAGE RECEIVED: Hello, this is Richard calling you from the Inspector General of Social Security. This is a notice to inform you that your social security has been suspended. We request you to urgently contact your emergency helpline number at 713-364-2074. I repeat, it is 713-364-2074. Thank you
SS Scam
July 17, 2018
called saying my social security has been suspended 651 419 1907 I never called back either
Angry in Pcola
July 18, 2018
Received a call from 1-866-326-9615 a Robo call telling me to call them before legal proceedings are begun.
ssn scam in Arizona
July 19, 2018
Received call this morning that my ssn had been compromised and to call the number given. So obvious a scam.
kittydog
July 19, 2018
crime is so hard to stop because we let Democrats, Republicans, and bureaucrats run the country. we only have us to blame.I feel shame :(
okcarla
July 26, 2018

I thought I was filling out an online form through the Social Security Administration for a name change and found that the site is charging $38 to process the form. I now see that I have been scammed. What should I do? Here is the website: www. e-forms. us/ social-security-cards/ ?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term= Social%20Security%20Card%20Replace

Geoffstante
July 21, 2018
Just had a scary thought. Social Security has you leave a voicemail for a callback if there's a long wait for customer service. I got a call within the time frame and gave ALL my info requested. Caller ID looked legit, but that's meaningless. Was I dumb? Is this not such a good way for SS to streamline? Honestly don't know.
420
February 05, 2020

In reply to by Geoffstante

Yea but they specifically have you record your first and last name so when they call back you know it’s them.
Gray
July 21, 2018
Received two calls this week saying miss number is compromised and I must call 1 614 number to speak with a paralegal or my assets will be frozen immediately.
Doe
July 23, 2018
Received a phone call advising my SS# had been compromised to call a number: 832-650-1392 to discuss with case handler. Called SSA 1-800-772-1213; after 20 minutes on hold, call dropped.
Doe 2
November 13, 2019

In reply to by Doe

Same thing when they finally did pick up they had my personal address my name and when I realized that they didn't have the last four of my social they hung up on me 979-493-0791 was the number
JP
July 24, 2018
Just got a call from obviously not the Social Security Office... Here is the number 240-339-5407...
SRH
July 24, 2018
Received 2 recordings this morning something about legal enforcement filed on SSN in regards to criminal activities. Doesn't say who they are just to call 844-510-5572.
ScrubRN
July 25, 2018
844-510-5572 Recording saying that “The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for criminal activity so when you get this message kindly call as soon as possible our number that is 844-510-5572 I repeat 844-510-5572 before we begin with the legal proceedings thank you and have a nice day…”
Julie
September 18, 2019

In reply to by ScrubRN

Received a call today 9/18/19 from 469-338-4847 Texas stating the exact same thing, word for word. I called back because I knew it was a scam since SS does not call you. They answered SS Administration and I told them they were full of s.... Woman hung up.
dannyo66
September 20, 2019

In reply to by Julie

Exact same thing, exact same recording. Looked up phone # 210-463-5851 and showed San Antonio but who knows. I ignored it at that point. Don't fall for it. Neither the IRS nor the SCA call anyone. They use the USPS and send it certified so there is a record the letter was received. Someone has to sign for it that way.
Fed Up in GA
July 25, 2018
My calls came today within minutes of each other - one on my cell and one on my landline -- from two 844 numbers. One was a threat about my credit cards, and the other a warning about my SSN being used in illegal activities and the pending lawsuit against me. I said, "Yeah? Get a real job and stop threatening people," hung up, and deleted the calls from my logs. Just remember, folks, the government and legitimate credit agencies like to go old-school when making first contact with you. They send letters and give you contact names, phone numbers, addresses, etc., which are easy to verify. And be sure to warn your elderly and impressionable teens about these scamming thieves.
LadyWicca61
July 25, 2018
I tried to call this number and they said that they were social security administration and when I confronted them that I was going to report them for impersonating SSA they hung up.
Sickofscammers
July 25, 2018
SS scam call...SAME EXACT MESSAGE LEFT FOR ME TODAY FROM #915.485.7416.
Deborah moses
October 16, 2018

In reply to by Sickofscammers

Received a call from 2406951476, Robo Voice, telling me my SS# was used in illegal activity... and my SS# has been frozen. Advised to call the above # . If I did not call back they wished me luck on all the legal trouble.
Rex Morgan
March 12, 2019

In reply to by Sickofscammers

Received this message on my home phone answer machine. From the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is illegal inforced, attached and filed on your social security number for criminal activities, so when you get this message kindly revert as soon as possible now, our number, 210-361- 1305 Before we begin with illegal proceedings.
bethk4god
April 25, 2019

In reply to by Rex Morgan

I got a voicemail saying they have some illegal enforcement concern that my social security number has some Fragile activity on it, please call us back to speak to a federal agent to have this matter resolved, Do not ignore it.
Jpie007
November 09, 2019

In reply to by Rex Morgan

I just got the same recording about legal action from 224-333-2058. I called back and they said that it was a social security office, but my called dropped after about 15 seconds all three times. After that, I calmed do a little bit and started doing some digging and found this. I almost fell for it!!
btg
July 30, 2018
I received a call a short time ago, a recorded message saying to call this number 908-428-4496 saying my ss# has been suspended. The call also came from this 908 number. Getting tired of these scammers!
Yvonne
March 07, 2019

In reply to by btg

I just got the same message from (908-428–4913) Thursday 1:07pm March,7,2019 :
RJW
August 27, 2019

In reply to by btg

Just had the call: We have suspended your social security number because we found some suspicious activity, so if you want to know about this case just press one. Thank you this call is from the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this call from our department is to inform you that we just suspended your social security number because we found some suspicious activity, so if you want to know more about the case just press one thank you.
LC
July 31, 2018
Got a call this morning from 202-684-8950 saying they’ve been trying to reach me from the administration of social security has decided to block my ssn for some criminal charges by the federal government. wtf??
Scott
July 31, 2018
Received a call on Sunday the 29th at 3:49pm from an UNKNOWN NUMBER(that is what showed up on caller id); This is Social Security Administration, this is to inform you that your Social Security number will be suspended immediately, for more information call 1-979-291-0638 Obviously i'm not calling it but figured i'd leave a message here since the report scams number is closed(office hours that is).
Awheel01
August 01, 2018
I got a call this morning stating officer linda brown and that my SS number is suspended. Phone number 347-566-7422
DontScamMe
August 01, 2018
I received a voicemail from a recording message. Hard to understand but I heard the words social security and fraud in the message . I called back and it was an Asian man who started swearing at me when I questioned the voicemail I received. The number is 903-980-8804
lb
February 01, 2019

In reply to by DontScamMe

I got a call from the number (800)-772-3458 it had an automated message saying it was the social security administration and that my social security number has been suspended for suspicious activity. Is this a scam? I believe so I just hung up. What do you think?
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