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A caller says that he’s from the government and your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended. He sounds very professional. So you should do exactly what he says to fix things…right?

Wrong.

The FTC has gotten reports about scammers trying to trick people out of their personal information by telling them that they need to “reactivate” their supposedly “suspended” SSNs. The scammers say the SSN was suspended because of some connection to fraud or other criminal activity. They say to call a number to clear it up – where they’ll ask you for personal information.

Thing is, Social Security numbers do not get suspended. This is just a variation of a government imposter scam that’s after your SSN, bank account number, or other personal information. In this variation of the scheme, the caller pretends to be protecting you from a scam while he’s trying to lure you into one.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself:

  • Never give out or confirm personal information over the phone, via email or on a website until you’ve checked out whoever is asking you for it.
  • Do not trust a name, phone number, or email address just because it seems to be connected with the government. Con artists use official-sounding names and may fake caller ID or email address information to make you trust them. Besides, the government normally contacts people by postal mail.
  • Contact government agencies directly, using telephone numbers and website addresses you know to be legitimate.

If someone has tried to steal your personal information by pretending to be from the government, report it to the FTC.

 

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scam
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Credit, Loans, and Debt
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
Annoyed
May 17, 2019
I just received 3 calls indicating my SS was "suspend". Each call was 40 minutes apart with 3 different numbers that were similar to each other. I'm awaiting for another one in 40 minutes if this is the trend.
ItsMe
May 17, 2019
SAME! 1-800-241-8697
SeattleT
May 17, 2019
Just received two calls from similar numbers within minutes of each other. 888-815-1554 and 888-815-1544. Same scam voicemail about SS# being compromised.
Brooke
May 17, 2019
I received an automated voicemail from phone#202-988-1239 DC Area, saying this is a call from the Department of Social Security Administration the reason you received this phone 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 about this case press 1
lemacado
May 17, 2019
First they called with this +1 (646) 892-6545 but I was in school. Then they left a voicemail with a transcription by this number +1 (716) 413-0442
They tried...
May 18, 2019
716-411-2442. Just got a call saying my ssn was suspended.
They tried...
May 18, 2019
716-411-2442. Just got a call saying my ssn was suspended.
Mary
May 18, 2019
I got a call that said my ssn was going to be suspended. I had let it go to voicemail. Knew it was a scam . The number was 646-889-9235
guest007
May 18, 2019
Also just got the robo call. Here is another number to block 716-411-2443
Michigan
May 20, 2019
got a call from 888-815-1715 this is a scam
Sarge554
May 20, 2019
Just got this call, coming in on 914-351-0251. Was tempted to engage the scammer in a battle of wits, but figured that wouldn't be fair since he's unarmed.
Molam
May 20, 2019
In case it's helpful to others: I received two of these Social Security scam calls within two hours this morning, from 888-815-1734 and 888-815-1720.
consumerwins
May 20, 2019
Got Call Today. I hate these scam calls. Got Call from 201 825 9837
euphoebe1
May 20, 2019
This happened a few weeks ago and was scary - they had a lot of info and made it sound pretty legit. I hung up on them. Now they are calling me relentlessly I've gotten four calls this morning (888-815-1739, 888-815-1730, 888-815-1723, etc).
Benz
May 20, 2019
My wife also got a call from these guys. The number is +1(877) - 142 - 4213. Never give any information to people over the phone!
LML
May 20, 2019
I have received 5 calls today with voice messages left each time. I have blocked each number and they just roll to the next last four digits in succession!! So frustrating and annoying. The number starts: 888-815-17xx .
LML
May 20, 2019
I meant to say that my husband also has received the same calls and voice messages, as our (cell) numbers are in succession.
LilithNightmare
May 20, 2019
I got numerous calls that leave automated voicemails claiming my social security number was suspended due to questionable/suspicious activity. Same message every time. 4 calls today from numbers starting with an (888) area code. (888)815-1759, (888)815-1720, (888)815-1734, and (888)815-1752.
uname
May 21, 2019
Beware of this call: 8000092213 scammers, a robot called me and told me that my SSN will be blocked permanently, to avoid that contact to social security office pressing one and someone after that was asking my first and last name. So I said hold on and that person hung up the phone.
syinghou28
May 21, 2019
just received a voicemail saying my social security number is suspended. I Know it's a scam. The number is 100-277-9125
Roopa
May 21, 2019
I got the same scam call from this number 800-016-2213.
M
May 21, 2019
I have received the same SSN Suspended calls from the below numbers today: 1 858 816 1520 1 858 816 1519 1858 816 1514
Nilifur
May 21, 2019
May 21, 2019 Got one of the calls today. I pressed 1, as told. Thankfully, they hung up on me. Or had a disconnect. This number was 781-328-2741 from Massachusetts. Googled it, because I am the suspicious sort and found this place. Thought I would add the number to the list.
Ángel
May 21, 2019
‭(858) 816-1529‬, this number just called me, to inform me the same SS, suspended.
2smart4u
May 21, 2019
Have received three calls today from this number 1-800-241-8697 and let them go to voicemail. They are all robocalls stating that my SS# has been suspended due to suspicious activity on my # and that if I want information regarding this case to press 1. I received three calls last week stating the same message but they were from a different 800 #. Obviously a scam as SS will not suspend your SS#. Please do not fall for this!
meyga
May 21, 2019
I've received multiple calls within the last 2 days from different phone numbers using the exact same message: 888-815-1734 888-815-1752 888-815-1759 858-816-1520 424-375-2334 How do I get them to stop calling me? 5 different phone numbers in 2 days is ridiculous!!!
linda
January 30, 2020

In reply to by meyga

I am filing a second complaint for the same thing! they wont quit and new numbers again! Cant the FTC track them with these numbers we provide?
Jane
May 21, 2019
Here is another bot who left me a bum regarding my social security number being suspended. This is the message that was left on my voice mail. “thank you this call is from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you” The number is (781)344-2741 location Stoughton, Ma
nvolonakis
May 22, 2019
I got a call from this number 833-781-7349 stating the same it is a scam
gehing
May 22, 2019
I got one of these SSN scam calls today from 800-084-2213.
CAW
May 22, 2019
Wife just received a robocall from 858-816-1579. The 858 area code is from San Diego when googled. Said her SS# had been suspended. Scam....Beware
702-528-5434
May 22, 2019
Same voicemail as other comments below: "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 phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you..."
LANGLEYd
May 22, 2019
18027230551 .... this number just left a message and I laughed. I tried to call it back I wanted to mess with them for a bit. You can't suspend my SSN! DEAR Lord where are the actual good criminals anymore.
Tori
May 22, 2019
They call me every 3 hours smh I was so nervous but then I realized it was a scam ! Smh don’t give them your personal info !
don’t pick up …
May 23, 2019
Earlier I got a call from an “unknown” number, I picked up and there was a bot that said that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity. I checked to see if anyone else was getting these types of calls and there were plenty of them. so, If you get a call from an “Unknown” number just save yourself some time and ignore it honestly.
Tired of this …
May 23, 2019
Just got a call outta Clifton Maryland 240 546-8840 sayin this is off Alex Smith and that my social security was being suspended due to fraudulent activity all across the USA. Mr. Alex Smith who says like he’s from India is a recorded message and doesn’t even say ssn just social security however I must call immediately or prosecution will shortly follow. Don’t give up or call any number back about this. It’s fake and unfortunate that something so terribly done can fool some people.
vqsimon
May 23, 2019
received a call from ‭+1 (800) 162-2213‬ saying social security suspended because suspicious activity .. is this a legit number or they only have one number ?
User3.14159
May 24, 2019
I received back to back calls today and yesterday from the following numbers: 1-936-587-6415 1-408-721-5716 Both had the same message that this was my last warning that SS was suspended due to suspicious activity. I pressed 1 and was told call denied. I called the number back and after 30 seconds a man with a foreign accent answered "hello", just like you would expect from an official government agency; I let him ask hello for about 45 seconds while I was on mute. I heard dozens of other voices in the background.
gabrielal
May 24, 2019
I received a call and voicemail of the following number 1-601-793-4596 from De Kalb, MS.
Jim
May 24, 2019
I was told my ss benefits were being halted. A SCAM
Thirstyfursty
May 24, 2019
‭+1 (800) 032-3213‬ Called me to tell me the same thing
CantScamMe
May 24, 2019
A caller by the name of "Account Services" from Madras, OR and (985)292-6732, (541)777-8226 popped up on my iphone twice leaving an automated message saying my Social Security # was suspended. Thanks to this article now i know it's a fraud.
randi1980
May 24, 2019
I just received a call from 1-800-034-3213 stating my SS # was being suspended because it was linked to suspicious activity in El Paso. The caller said I had 4 business banking accounts and 2 addresses in El Paso, TX and that I had been accused of money laundering and drug trafficking. She mentioned the FCC and the US Marshal but never the DEA. Anyway as she talking, I do a quick Google search and start reading from this site to her. She hung up. I'm filing it under SCAM. WTH???
Roadglider
May 28, 2019
+17604759625 - got call from this #. Scam as well
Dracarys
May 28, 2019
I keep getting these calls as well. I block the number and it comes in from another number. The same automated message as everyone else: my social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity. Twice I have pressed 1 and told them this is not a thing and to stop trying to scam people. One hung up on me without a word, the other yelled at me and then hung up on me. Since they call from different numbers each time, how can we stop these calls? So frustrating.
ROCKS
May 28, 2019
I JUST GOT A CALL LIKE THIS FROM 760-475-9665 SO THEY USE MANY DIFFERENT NUMBERS
Ray
May 29, 2019
Just received the scam call, number was 1-800-975-1128. It was a female voice; robocall instructed me to call them back or there would be 'legal action taken'
Eli86
May 29, 2019
I got the same call today saying my ssn was Cancel. The call came from this #1-858-788-1245
Jruiz
May 29, 2019
Same situation, different phone number.. here's the scammers number that called about "suspending my social security number" +18103690741
AG1970
May 30, 2019
I just got a call from one of these people. It started out with a robomessage, telling me my number was suspended, then told me to press 0 to speak to an operator. When the person got on the line, he asked if I received a call from them about my number being compromised. I told them no, then he asked, very rudely, why I called them then. I told them they just called me, and he said "Why are you lying to me?" At that point I hung up. It was very loud in the background, with numerous people talking loudly, and he barely spoke English. I had a strong suspicion this wasn't a real govt employee. He called from a California number 858-788-1283. It's not listed as fraudulent. Lol. These were the worst scammers ever. Guy did not possess the professionalism to be a govt employee, and what govt agency calls people like that?!
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