Skip to main content

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.

 

Search Terms
scam
Topics
Credit, Loans, and Debt
Scams
Government Impersonators
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.

Tatie18
February 20, 2020
Just got a call saying my number was suspended. Here its he telephone number they called from and wanted me to call back. So did not call back. 210-757-0617. Wanted to share so this helps someone in the future.
wendy
February 20, 2020
Call from 709-835-2684 February 20/2020 saying my social security card is suspended over suspicious activity.
Rebekah
February 20, 2020
I got a call from a number from California. Since I don't really know anyone out there i let it go to voice mail. When i play it back, it said my SSA was being suspended. So i Googled how dose the SSA contacted you. They don't call, unless your already working with a agent. I've blocked the number. 1-628-268-2875
Tired of scammers
February 20, 2020
Got one today from ‭+1 (885) 599-1685‬. Message saying my SSN has been suspended. I never answer calls I don’t recognize.
stopthescams12
February 21, 2020
I received a voicemail this morning 2/21/2020 from 1-877-764-3468 stating that a Federal Agent is attempting to contact me, and to please call them back. I called back and immediately was connected to a real person claiming to be a Federal Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration with badge number 07198. He ask for me by name (i don't know how he got this information) and stated that my social security number has been suspended... And then he asked me to confirm the last 4 digits of my social security number. I don't believe this it is possible to suspend a social security number, so I hung up and now I am submitting this comment here about the scam. I hope this helps increase visibility for this issue.
concerned
February 21, 2020
The message they left said both my SSN and driver’s license are going to be blocked. They called me from (888) 330-2574 twice today
CG-06
February 25, 2020
I've got a call from this number 18337764123 and that was a scam as I'd absolutely file a complaint from what they were saying from the message that they said as they were "suspecting" me doing such "fraudulent activity" which I certainly never even make for them to assume that I'd ever do such a stupid thing like that!! I'm gonna go ahead and let that day to wrestle over while it all deserves for me to dismiss all of that drama so I can enjoy doing whatever the Hell I want in my life regardless of anything else.
itonaako
February 26, 2020
“Hello this is Officer Cedrick Brown calling you from Social Security administration to inform you that your Social Security number is about the suspended due to some legal enforcement action that was _⁠_⁠_⁠_ on your Social Security number you can call us back on 202-931-4168 I repeat it's 202-931-4168 thank you…” This is scammer. I’m better than you.
Paramore220
February 27, 2020
I've got a call today too. From 844-764-5435
Pat
February 28, 2020
Just got a call from 832-871-4643 about ss# with fraudulent activity and that ss and assets would be suspended unless I press 1 to talk to agent. I hung up, what a scam. Nobody needs this nonsense!
Annoyed
March 04, 2020
Just got a voicemail from (331) 808-1418 saying my social security number has been suspended due to some reason and to call them back.
Henry
March 04, 2020
Got two of these calls today from robots. Both left the same voicemail message about my “suspended SSN”. Weird phone numbers: 888-000-1111 210-999-0000 I just chuckled and shook my head.
Bina
March 06, 2020
I've had 5 calls and messages about my SSN in the past 2 days with the same recording. I just delete. Just wish they would stop calling. Robocalls after so annoying.
just play dumb
March 06, 2020
I got a call from a guy over seas I asked what kind of activity they found and he couldn’t answer also asked me to verify my name date of birth and ssn so I replied back with you should already have that since you called me the phone number was 915-642-0704
Aurora
March 12, 2020
I got a call from this number 855-690-4536. I d ok ntbtrust it saying I have warrants for my arrest and my SSN number has been suspended. Then asked if I've been to Maryland lately. I no haven't left the state in years. Creepy
A. Krystal
March 13, 2020
I received a telephone call before 7 am, Washington state time. The voice mail message left told me my SS# had been suspended due to suspected fraudulent activity. I'm pretty sure this is a scam. I did not "press 1" as asked.
nicpic
March 17, 2020
I just received a call from a local (appears to be a cell phone) number with an automated recording that my social security number was suspended and under review for fraudulent activity. I hung up. The number is a Texas number and is: 254-749-8358
LH
April 01, 2020
I just got a call from 210-739-1807 San Antonio, Texas. They said my social was suspended for fraudulent activity.
levkin
May 07, 2020
I received the same call today. Nr: +1 (850) 453-9535 I asked for my first name and last name to verify. I told them to tell me who they trying to reach and let's see if that's me. Scam.
plaza
June 01, 2020
Don't bother about the numbers, those numbers are "spoofed" or FAKE they can make your caller ID show whatever they want. If you call back it will show a non working or disconnected number. Scammers buy lists of those numbers harvested by a robot calling computer, when you receive a robotic call (that hangs up when you answer) from a fake number and you respond, your are confirming that your numbers is a working number they put it in the "working numbers list", and keep harvesting working numbers for their list. If the number the robot calls, is a non working or disconnected number, then it goes to the list of FAKE numbers they use to call you. Make them loose their time and have some fun... if you call me about my SS number how come you don't know it, or how do you don't know my name and address..? make them loose as much time as you can with lies and foolishness... at least you will have a good time at their expense... they don't know NOTHING about you.. maybe your first name... Considering that they may have gotten your number from a website where you subscribe to receive info or some mailing list... but they will NEVER have any SIGNIFICANT info about you in they power... that is what they are trying to get to SCAM YOU.. !
Jcp
June 05, 2020
I just got this call. They said they were going to issue a warrant and send the cops out. They called from 833-635-3507 . Don’t fall for it!!!!
786-294-8395
June 10, 2020
Just received a call that my social security number was going to be suspended due to fraudulent activity in another state at which I do not reside. The person asked me for my name and when I said I’m not giving them any information about me...the immediately hung up. I called the number back and said I received a call from this number and the person said no...not from this number but it wasn’t the same voice I heard in the beginning. The name on the Calle ID said Marcus Hill 786-294-8395.
Valerie
June 10, 2020
Same call few minutes ago that my Social security number has been suspended because of fraudulent activity in Texas, the number they called from was 603-391-1689.
Jojo P
June 12, 2020
I Just received a call today as well, the only difference us that this was a private number. The individual had a very strong almost indian accent advised me that my social security number was suspended due to money laundering and Drug trafficking (how ridiculous) and that my social security is linked to a few addresses in texas (I've never been to texas) and i have an arrest warrant and that two US marshalls will be at my door. He proceeded to confirm my bank account and the balance in those bank account. When i asked if this was scam, he asked me to Google local police number so that he can speak with them while i was on the phone. He also gave me two option 1. get a lawyer 2 file some type of dispute resolution. this almost sounded legit. Be careful of these scammers
dimar
June 16, 2020
Recevied the"your SSN is suspended" scam call today from (202)864-3481 using a computer-generated lady's voice.
tracyz
June 18, 2020
Just received a call about suspended social security # due to "suspicious activity". Call was from 612-812-5094.
Yamahamomma
June 19, 2020
I got this phone call today. And yesterday I got one saying I had an unpaid hospital bill.
shescrafy
June 22, 2020
469-534-4717 - Automated recording saying that my social security number is going to be blocked due to fraudulent activity in Texas, stay on the line to hear more about it. *blocked*
LJHDon't ljh
June 22, 2020
Just got a prerecorded call that said it's the Department of Justice and I need to return the call to prevent my social security number from being suspended
T
June 22, 2020
‭I received a call from this 1 (843) 425-7857‬ saying my social security number has been suspended because of fraudulent activity In Texas.
Mcos1972
July 13, 2020
I just received this call, it sounds official but you can tell it’s a recording. Please to anyone gets this call hang up. I knew my ss# couldn’t be suspended but I worry for the younger college kids and the older generation.
Jenn
July 15, 2020
I just got a call from Pennsylvania. Saying my ssn was suspended press 1 for details so I did. The chick was like what is ur first and last name so I can verify. I said why don't you tell me my first and last name and she hung up. This is terrible. I know someone is going to fall for this. This is the number that called me 724-531-4887
Bec22
August 27, 2020

In reply to by Jenn

I had the same thing today, but mine came from a regular phone number. I have all calls blocked that’s not on my directory so it went straight to voicemail. I called the KY number and it was just a man. He had no clue what I was talking about so apparently they just used his number for the caller ID. Crazy
Alexia
July 17, 2020
‭+1 (813) 704-5396‬, this number just called saying my ssn was suspended and I need to talk to someone
No one
July 21, 2020
I got a call later that went to a voice mail saying if I didn’t call them back they would suspend my social security number. (608)658-3463 Can someone let me know if this is even a thing
IrnMdn
July 22, 2020
I just received this VM. This is the transcription: “Hello this is Officer _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ has from the Social Security administration this is to inform you that your Social Security number has been suspended due to some reasons we request you can call us back on 469-460-6741 I repeat it's 469-460-6741 thank you…”
Maine Resident 1
July 22, 2020
I got a call from 833-792-0489. I'm hoping something is actually being done about this, besides allowing people to post to a forum with a bunch of phone random suspect numbers.
Ginger1687
July 22, 2020
Just got a robo call saying the same scam about SSN being suspended asking me to press 1 for blah blah....that's when I hung up. Heres the number: +171572855171 And no I did not accidentally hit an extra number. That is exactly the number that was on the caller ID.
Someone in NC
July 24, 2020
I got a robo call today stating they were suspending my ssn due to fraudulent activity. The number was 1-704-691-1221. I have blocked it.
dmc522
July 28, 2020
They used 208-203-3332 saying my social security number has been frozen
Sick and Tired…
July 29, 2020
The first tipoff: Caller ID says "UNASSIGNED UNAS" Automated Message: "This officer Malik ? from the Social Security Administration. This is to inform you that your Social Security Number has been suspended for the following reasons. We request that you call us back at 323-408-1033."
fjemrd1
July 30, 2020
You can add the following number 864-497-6099
Katgranny
August 10, 2020
The call was listed as Kingman AZ which is my previous address, the area code and the first three numbers were the same as mine. Then he said my SSN was suspended due to some crime In Texas. Press 1 for more info, which I did not do.
D KR
August 11, 2020
I did and it scared me so much I dropped my phone this isnt funny
buddy
August 12, 2020
Just go call today 08-12-2020 say your s s number is suspended
Lex
August 24, 2020
Got this call from 361-603-6647 Saying Social Sec. # suspended, I just hung up.
Brandon Fly
August 26, 2020
Getting bombarded with this scam call from 3 different phone numbers and at least 10 times today. It seems they are really pushing this scam again.
me
August 31, 2020
Just received an automated message from 570-336-3635. I just hung up
ADGRRL987
September 01, 2020
I actually received the call from a local number in my city, not an 800/866 number. The number was actually the same as the first 6 numbers of my OWN phone number. Be safe out there!
MSG
September 02, 2020
Just received a scam call about this. Number that called: 786-239-4483
Return to top