Consumer Alert
Your Social Security number isn’t suspended. Ever.
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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September 19, 2019
I got five calls from these numbers over the last several days. I picked up on the last one, which had a recording saying my social had been suspended and to press 1 to speak to an operator. I pressed 1, gave my first name only, and the person on the other end hung up.
800-357-4159
800-581-3010
800-602-8962
800-396-3500
800-547-8180
September 19, 2019
I just received call and hung up immediately, did not hit 1 for more information.
September 19, 2019
The number was 410 849 4188. The caller said my social security number is being cancelled.
"This call is from the Social Security administration. The reason of this calling is to notify you about the information to suspend you Social Security number.... it goes on tho call them back at 888 743 1243
September 20, 2019
Same old "We've detected fraud and we are suspending your SSN" garbage. The caller ID number was 979-584-2407. No doubt a scammed VOIP or cell number.
September 20, 2019
got a voicemail from 800-631-0517, stating my SS# was going to be suspended. This is a SCAM.
September 20, 2019
Just got a call from VLADIMR JEAN Spring Valley NY 845.746.8610 robocall saying the same thing. Really? Not even trying to hide that it’s a scam now? Like why would someone from the “SSA” call me from a personal number? And whoever that person actually is probably has no clue their # is being used
September 20, 2019
I got a phone call today from 1855-434-5666. It was automated telling me that my social security was being suspended and that I needed to call this number back to speak with a federal agent. Why would they call from this number and tell me to call it back. I googled about it and saw it was a scam. I called back and she wanted my full name so she can look up my case file. I told her I knew it was a scam and she hung up on me.
September 20, 2019
I am getting calls from different 1-800 numbers for the past few days regarding my SSN being suspended due to blah blah blah. Today I had already received two such calls from different 1-800 numbers. It is becoming an annoyance. Is something being done about it by the law enforcement or other government officials? It cannot be difficult tracking these people, or is it?
September 20, 2019
I received 6 calls from the social security telling me there is a warrant for my arrest all with in a two hour period and now today I received the call telling me my social security number has been suspended. I hang up on all as I know it is a scam. the numbers were all different area codes. four from area code 443, one from 432 and one from 936. the last one telling me my social security number is suspended was from my own area code of 206.
September 20, 2019
Female robo-call from Capron, VA. Message left on VM: “...to suspend your social security number on immediate basis. To get more information about this case file give us a call back on our number 1-434-658-2350...”. Blocked them.
September 20, 2019
Add;
1-354-954-2392
1-321-383-0243
To the scammer list, I did not hear as far as press 1. Seems you have to reply faster than me.
Did get the your ss # is being suspended.
September 23, 2019
I received a call today from (718) 123-1715. The recording stated that my social security number has been suspended and that there is a warrant for my arrest...
September 23, 2019
Also received a call today from this number 1800 088 7045. He claimed to have a badge number and a case number against me for warrant of arrest from the state of Texas. All a scam. He cut off the call once I started asking more questions.
September 23, 2019
1 707 354 7059 just tried this
September 24, 2019
Two numbers called me from nyc +1 (718) 463-4181 and +1 (718) 752-8348 saying that my ssn has been suspended due to suspicious activity and there’s a warrant out for my arrest and to press 1 to learn more about my case. A foreign sounding man answered the phone and asked for my name and ssn number I immediately hung up. Not understanding how they got my number
September 24, 2019
I just got a call stating my ss number has been suspended and a warrant will be issued for my arrest??
September 24, 2019
Have been receiving phone calls all day, an hour apart, telling me that my SSN has been suspended and to press one to speak to an investigator. Calls have been from (707) 354-7777, (707) 354-4908, (707) 354-5765, and (707) 354-0240, so unfortunately despite blocking them each time they still manage to get thru since the numbers are just different enough. Also got a scam call last week from an automated system claiming to be the IRS, but the thing is the IRS sends mail if there's an issue - they don't call.
September 24, 2019
Got a call from 18002323113. Female robotic voice saying my social security number has been suspended or is in danger of being permanently suspended. Press 1 to continue. Foreign man picked up asking for first and last name and last four digits of SSN. Be wary of this scam.
September 24, 2019
Received a call from 866-416-1919 and it went to Blocked- High Risk. They did leave a message stating that my SS# had been suspended and I needed to press 1. I did nothing as I do not believe that you would just leave a message about suspending a SS#
September 25, 2019
I received a call saying this from 718-470-3687 on September 25, 2019 at 2:38 PM EST. Please find the entity making this call and arrest them.
September 26, 2019
Got two calls in the last week (1-800-900-3697 and 1-800-660-2564). As many of you experienced, I was told my SSN was being suspended and that I had a warrant against me in El Paso for drug trafficking and money laundering.
September 26, 2019
I got a call from a scammer saying my social security number was suspended I told them that they were scammers they sounded like they were from India the number is 1-800-519 -5768
September 27, 2019
I've received a call from 1 800 073 2313 saying about my social being suspended and to press 1 to speak with an official. That's so messed up!
September 29, 2019
These scammers must have a million different phone numbers because they keep sending the same robo message from different numbers. How can this be allowed?
September 30, 2019
Call from 610.844.0451 and when I called to tell them to take me off of the call list the person on the other end cursed me out with every word you can imagine. When I said you are not from SS, he said fine I will suspend your SSN. They are simply terrible trying to prey on people who don't know to check facts. They act like they are doing you a favor. Block this number from your phone.
September 30, 2019
A number that called me that needs to be reported 707-594-5816
October 01, 2019
I just received a phone call from this number, so add it to the long growing list: 1-844-249-7227!!!!! This happens about every two months or so!!!!!!
October 01, 2019
I too received a call with the bot stating that my SSN was suspended due to suspicious activity. The number was the following: 1 200-521-2759.
October 02, 2019
I got a phone call from 800-568-7768. Saying “ “Forced to suspend your Social Security number of what immediate effect due to this all your social benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect with legal _______ Social Security administration in order to connect with our Social Security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the officer now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern __________ we did not receive any in touch or citizen in order to speak with Social Security personal regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect…”
October 02, 2019
Just got a call from 769-776-7054. Scammer!
October 02, 2019
I just received 2 calls on my cell phone informing me that my Social Security Number has been suspended. I of coarse hung up when I listened to the message. The numbers I received these calls from are as follows: 855-027-4571 and 800-560-6385.
October 03, 2019
I just received a voicemail from a robot stating the same as everyone else is reporting "this is Linda from blah blah government office and your SSN is suspended, please call us to take care of this matter or we will issue a warrant for your arrest." Haha really? Are people really that dumb to believe these people? Anyways the number was 205-666-7497
October 03, 2019
New scam call today on my SSN being suspended from this number: 919-607-4839
October 03, 2019
I HAVE RECEIVED 4 CALLS TODAY FROM CLEARWATER FLORIDA FOR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SCAMS
October 07, 2019
18008076550 Depositing new message We have been forced to suspend your social security number with immediate effect. Due to this all your social benefits will be canceled until further clearance. In case you feel this is due to an error. You may connect with legal sellers(?) social security administration in order to connect with a social security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the office or now press one and your will be automatically be connected with a concern departments. We did not receive any input or citizen in order to speak with social security personnel regarding your social security. Press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials. Press one now to connect.. Click here: 14699825021 to listen to full voice message.
October 07, 2019
I got a call from 855 751 8909 saying the SSN had been suspended. They left a voice mail. I called back from a landline and the number didn't take calls. SCAM
October 08, 2019
Scam call from 1-800-030-7548
October 08, 2019
I just received a phone call from a robot call telling me I was getting my social security suspend if I don't talk to somebody push 1 to talk to them phone number they called me from was 866 970 2890
October 09, 2019
Add 800 572 2752 to the list they have been calling me several times a day for weeks. Why isnt this stopped.
October 09, 2019
I just got back to back calls saying that my SSN will be blocked if I dont enter one to talk to the next government agent, the numbers are 800-310-8768 and 800-589-9798. I noticed everyone elses comments each number is different.
October 10, 2019
(410)988-4849 is the number who keeps calling me and leaving a voicemail saying my SSN will be suspended if I don't contact them immediately. The thing is they been calling me for a couple of weeks now. So why isn't my SSN suspended yet??? SCAM!!!!
October 10, 2019
I have gotten the call maybe three times, I reported it to FTC the number that comes up is 8662632064, it says if you do not take call back to verify your ss# legal actions will be taken against me. It really scared me then I googled to see if it was a scam, thankfully I didn't call back.
October 11, 2019
I got 3 calls from 866-568-9428. Caller ID said SSA. Answered the 3rd call and got an automated message saying my SSN was suspended for suspicious activity. Then a person came on the line. After my name he asked for my ssn. The SSA should already have my ssn.
October 11, 2019
Some suggest letting your voicemail/answering machine take the call. That’s actually a bad idea because it confirms the robo diaper hit a working personal number. They will keep calling! Best thing to do is answer it and don’t speak! Put phone on mute if possible. This tricks the robo dialer into thinking the number belongs to another machine or is not in service.
October 11, 2019
PS The number was 631-481-2390 from New York
October 11, 2019
Thought I'd add these numbers here just in case it helps.
(844) 309-0524
(844) 729-6953
(844) 272-7009
I was called three times today. I got the same claptrap about my SSN being blocked due to fraudulent activity, press 1 to speak to an agent. Out of curiosity I actually did press 1 the second time they called me. Got a woman with an accent that I couldn't place. She said she would open a file and investigate, then asked for my SSN. I hung up on her. I wish there was an effective way of blocking these types of calls. Hope this helps somebody.
October 12, 2019
I received automated calls stating my SS number has been suspended because they sound some suspicious activity. The calls come from
800-908-8782
844-034-9762
916-922-2665
October 13, 2019
Two more phone calls, my social has been suspended. The who answered the phone identified himself as agent with badge number. He asked me to verify info, he obviously had access to an old email, and asked me to verify my social. After I told him I do not provide info over the phone, he told me to expect the local police within 25 minutes for not cooperating. I asked him to give me his badge number again. Then the line disconnected. For fun, I called the number again which was no longer in service!!!
October 14, 2019
They have a new tool. They will harass you from various phone numbers. I called back, left a message to call me back. A lttle while later, I got a return call from a teacher. She said I called her, after discussing, we realized the scamners were using compromised phone lines. Beware....
October 14, 2019
Just received a call now saying my social has been suspended due to fraudulent activity and to press 1 to speak with an agent. (844)1477815