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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.

 

Search Terms
scam
Topics
Credit, Loans, and Debt
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.

Bo
July 11, 2019
I just received two similar automated phone calls from an 854 area code. My first call came up on my ID as a Charleston SC call 961-243, I blocked it, The second, (854)279-470 just said United States.
colecontrols
July 11, 2019
I got the same call from 2 different numbers: 866-439-2792 866-521-6717
DDon't use you…
July 11, 2019
Just received the same voicemail that my sis number is suspended and if I want more information press 1. The number is weird 1888080089.
saku18
July 11, 2019
I got a call today my social was suspended from the number (800)-049-9201 Has anyone else received a scam call from this number? Another number that also called me was (800)-095-9211.
bob
July 11, 2019
this is a scam going around the country.. the govt does not call people
Tommy
July 11, 2019
I got 23 calls today 7/11/19 starting at 2pm about 10mins apart. I listened to the 1st one & pressed 1 after their recording ended as advised. A woman answer with a bs msg. I told her I was reporting this ph # to the police & hung up. I received 22 more calls, mostly 800 & 966 #'s. They stopped around 4:30pm. The last one I got at 4:30 I answered & spoke with a man this time.... & I could hear many people talking on the backround to other callers. It sounded like Tagalo speech in the backround which would be coming from the Phillipines. I know some Tagalo... from dating a woman from the Phillipines. These ph #'s need to be reported to the police.. (which I did) & notify SSI direct. Tommy
james
July 12, 2019
Just got a call this morning from +8551329592 saying that my SSN has been suspend and call redirected to the person who claimed the same.
Auburn99
July 12, 2019
I have just received two phone calls on my cell phone from the "social security office". They said they were calling because my social security number has been suspended for fraudulent activity. My cell phone is not under my name. I just let it go to my voicemail.
Hayuanmu
July 12, 2019
(646) 257 2069
Sharon
July 12, 2019
My call was from 281-716-8711. Recorded voice claiming to be from "a Social Security office" stating that my number was being used on (unintelligible) sites.
W.S
July 12, 2019
just don't answer any unknown calls to you..
czackg1
July 12, 2019
I just got a call from 1-646-257-2061 a NY number. Scam call with a recorded voice instructing me to push 1 for more information on my SS number being suspended. Sad part is that some people will fall for this.
MandM Sheas
July 12, 2019
Thank you for this notification. Although I believed this to be fraudulent from the beginning, my wife wasn't so sure. These scams have become increasingly more prevalent over the years. I'm not sure if there was a policy change in recent years allowing for more robocalls but It's gotten tot he point where I won't ever pick up a phone number I do not know. My wife received a dozen calls from variants of the same number making these same social security invalid claims. These robocalls nearly unblockable as a result. Arrrgh!!!
e your e-mail …
July 12, 2019
i got a call on my cell phone today from (646) 257-2065 New York, New York, saying my number was suspended.
Angry citizen
July 12, 2019
These people need to be fined or punish for making to false calls. I just worry about the elderly. My call came from a New York number 646-257-8786. Why does the government continue to let these calls continue. I hate to answer my phone any more, unless they are on my contact list.
Z 26
July 12, 2019
I got a call from +1888348826. They left a voicemail saying my social security was suspended because of suspicious activity, then the message ended. I did not return the call, thinking it must be a scam. I checked online and found out it was a scam. I did not call them back and I did not give them any information. I blocked their number after receiving the message.
Joy
July 12, 2019
I received the exact same voicemail on my cell phone from 646-461-3225: Verbatim, "This call is from the Dept. of Social Security Administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our dept. is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity. So if want know about this case, just press 1, thank you."
JCH
July 12, 2019
Add 2 more numbers to your list of 866- SS Scam Numbers. 866-511-8458 866-777-3088 How in the world do Scammers get and keep using these 866 #'s? Why doesn't our Government and our tax dollars shut this down once and for all?
Michael
July 13, 2019
Add to 646-583-0569 to the list of robot calls for a suspended social security number
Demand
July 15, 2019
Receiving multiple calls (in 1 hr--almost from 10 different #'s ) since morning. Busy morning declining these calls and block these.
Js
July 15, 2019
Got a call from 8551373633 2-3 times already.
sonicfan
July 15, 2019
1-866-514-1111 and 1-866-527-4365 spam calls saying SSN suspended. Blocked.
Mach1
July 15, 2019
Me too # 717-703-9487, Said my SS was suspended due to suspicious activities
Mrs. L
July 15, 2019
I have a received a few voicemails today 18001011222 and 1 888886100. They keep saying to call about my ssn being used in South Texas, and that it is suspended.
Mr G
July 20, 2019

In reply to by Mrs. L

I just received the mesg Your SSN is now suspended from 800-259-3739. Number Is now blocked so be aware of this continuing scam.
Call from Greece
July 15, 2019
I told was receiving these calls from 800 and 877 numbers. They always leave a voicemail with some variation of my ss# is being suspended for fraudulent activity and that a warrant will be issued for my arrest. I have blocked them all. However, it looks like they’ve upgraded their scam and are now calling from overseas - I just received the same message but the phone number was from Greece - this is the number that showed up on my caller ID : +30 43156177, which I blocked. This is getting ridiculous- 6 calls in 2 days all from different numbers! I’m most concerned about our elderly population - especially those without family members watching out for them!
gr
July 15, 2019
1-800-033-1273 july 15 @ 2:52 pm 646-593-8974 july 8 @1:45 pm This is the robot call I received, This is >>>>>>>>>>>> FAKE FAKE FAKE <<<<<<<<<<<< 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 pres one thank you.
star
July 16, 2019
I got a call from 646-969-3191 saying my social security # was suspended. I knew this was impossible. I just want to add this number to this list.
njceo
July 16, 2019
Robo-Call received from 1-800-391-6232
kat
July 16, 2019
I just got the call 5 minutes ago and made me confirm the last 4 digits of my social, since I did not know I confirmed the last 4 and put them on hold. Now I'm a little worried about it. They called again but I did not answer this time. They called from these phone numbers: 800-618-7003 866-613-3070 (called 3 times from this number)
D. Walker
July 16, 2019
new # 1800-269-0271 for suspended Social Security #
Guest 0716
July 16, 2019
Received phone call today from 646 755-2892, New York.
Annoyed
July 16, 2019
281-839-2182 Called at 5:47 EST on 7/16/19 Scam alert! Message saying your social security number is being suspended, legal actions filed against your social security number for fraudulent activites in Texas. Says to call number back a guy answers the phone, "yo" "what was your call in to regards to", he spoke broken English. Your social security number can't get suspended.
smlen-hart
July 16, 2019
I have received seven (7) phone calls between 10:30 am to 4:14 pm from a recording telling me my SS # has been suspended. I don't know how to make these calls stop! The phone number is different every time. I have blocked the phone # each and every time. I have kept a list of these phone numbers. If anyone can tell me how to make this stop I would really like to hear from you!
Dallas, TX
July 17, 2019
Received call from 646-685-8865 on July 17th 2019 saying ssn suspended.
slimjim1719ss
July 17, 2019
Just got one. 1-800-665-4736
SF5757
July 17, 2019
Just got that call from 800-348-5222, they left a voice mail.
Kari0101
July 17, 2019
I have received several calls saying my social security card has been suspended. I block a number and another one calls. 844-092-1547 844-852-3518 844-052-7450 844-863-7124 844-780-2400 800-772-1215 844-516-5761
TexasUser
July 17, 2019
got 20+ calls on 7/16/2019 and 7/17/2019. When i finally picked the call, it was answered by an Hindi speaking Indian. when i found their identity, they started making mockery and scolded me in a language i dont understand.
Anthony TK
July 17, 2019
Had 2 calls today from 1-866-931-7075, with an automated voice saying "This call is from the legal department of Social Security Administration, to inform you that your social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity running under your social security number. If you want to know more about this case, please press 1 now".
Theresa
July 26, 2019

In reply to by Anthony TK

Guess they are making their rounds, I rec'd the same message word for word today only from a different number, 1-800-914-5824.
Tmanderson
July 18, 2019
Just git a call from this number claining my ssn was suspended. +16464034581
TiredOfDealing…
July 18, 2019
Easy fix: Hang up on them, then block the number.
TEXASGIRL
July 18, 2019
1 866 136 4571 CALLED --- TOTAL SPAM
California
July 18, 2019
Same here, got a call from (800) 772-5865, I pressed 1, and the guy with Indian accent asked for my name, I said you should know my name as you are calling me, he immediately hanged up....
Connie
July 18, 2019
I get 2 calls from 1800 016 1863 1800 448 7861 They said my SS is involved in a fraud in Texas border
ChrisM
July 18, 2019
ive gotten 14 new calls on this just today, its become quite annoying to say the least.
notfallingforit
July 18, 2019
Caller using number 425 526-3339 and name Linda left voicemail via my landline # saying “this is the final reminder from Inspector General of Social Security Administration and your Social Security number has been suspended. We request you to get back to us to discuss this case. “. This is my first time receiving this type call. Of course didn’t call back. Checked internet for ssn scam.
BigBill
July 19, 2019
I called them back. Guy had a heavy subcontinent accent. Lots of talking and typing going around in the background. Sounded like a call center scam farm unless the SSA has a trading floor. The guy I spoke to claimed to be John William(s) with a badge # 189142
Hate scammers
July 19, 2019
I got a call from an automatic machine that left a voicemail and they suspended my ss# due to suspicious activity if I wanted to know more than press one. The number that called me is 800-921-7142
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