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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.
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  • 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.

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Susanne
June 20, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

Just received the same call, but from Alexandria NY ‭(315) 215-1969‬ Said my ss# was suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1 to learn more about the case. Sounded suspicious to me . Glad I found this information.
LawGirl
June 27, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

They have been calling me for a couple of weeks leaving voicemails. They called 4 times today already. Robo calls. I just talked to someone that sounded like he was from India. I told him they are calling the wrong person. I know better than to fall for this. I know this is a scam and I am reporting you to the FBI and he hung up. They called from a bunch of Texas area codes. Every time I block one number they call right back from another. All foreign sounding with heavy accents.
Jenn
July 04, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I got three calls in a one hour span this morning. Didn't answer but checked the voicemail. IThe robotic voice said that my ss number was suspended.
molly
July 08, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

just got the call 206 472 7009 - they keep calling me
Yuelling82518
July 13, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I just received a call from (646) 583-2319. He gave me a badge #417J2741 and his name. He claimed to be from SSA (a red flag because its Saturday.) He claimed my number was under investigation and even told gave me a case number #7324571213. I tried to get more information but received another call. Instead of waiting, the guy hung up.
Lynn
July 16, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

844-147-6136 844-255-6128 844-306-9776 SS suspended for suspicious activities. Spelled out his name, gave me his employee number, his work address and a case# for my "investigation" to try and sound all legit. Asked for my local police office phone# so they can speak with them and clear my name because there's an arrest warrant out for me. I gave the sheriff's # but did not say which city sheriff. He got back on the line and gave me the name of the Officer he spoke to and that they'd be calling me to confirm. I see the caller ID with the same number I gave but I didn't answer. Instead I used the landline to call the sheriff's office myself and confirm if there was such an Officer ____ that was in that office. Nope, scam. Thanks! Tried calling me back a couple more times after.
dont have oneD…
July 17, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I have caller ID 800-269-0271, and 800-87704283 with exact same robot call from 2 different number. I just hung up.
Rochafamily3
July 29, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I just received the same recorded call from (889)1359020 obvious scam.
SP
July 30, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I just got a call from same. Problem is social security font have the number on phone where I got the call
Savvy_Senior
August 06, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

today 8/6/2019 from 800-487-5120 multiple calls with message "your ssn# has been suspended......" Press 1 for more info. Also computer generated calls displaying inactive cell numbers with recording "this is Samantha Parks and I'd like to discuss payment options for your Student Loan, there have been many changes in the law that impact your repayment." The numbers display "Unknown", "Private number" or an inactive cell number so you cannot block them. Yesterday alone I received 4 such calls. Looks like I need to change cell numbers yet one more time...
FlaDeb
August 19, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I just received a call but didn’t answer it. The message that was left was exactly the same (but in what sounded like a Caucasian woman’s voice). She sounded quite official. 8/19/19
Karen
August 20, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I got 2 of those phone calls today. It said my ss number was being suspended, but it was a different phone number.
Jen
September 21, 2020

In reply to by Karen

I got 2 phone calls fri and today 9/21 from 2 different # and the woman on the recording both times so my ssn was about to be suspended due to some criminal activity but didnt leave a name or nothing just told me to kindly call back.
Jane
August 27, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I got a call multiple calls today and yesterday saying social was suspended. Calls were made from the numbers below 941.774.5199 1800.906.1902 1800.297.0785
Barbie51966
August 29, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I get anywhere from 2 to 5 calls a week saying my social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity. My cousin works for the IRS and told me to tell them I know for a fact that no government agency will call you about any type if this kind of business and that they are speaking to me on a recorded line. They either start getting really nasty for which I tell them I'm taking their number and the recording to my attorney, or they hang up.
Charmk56
October 22, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I got 3 calls like this in the last 2 days.
JER
November 07, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

Thousands get the same fake call. Never give your personal information to anyone that calls you first. Never give your SS # or Bank #'s to anyone over the phone. Never give your SS number to anyone period.
MRS. B
November 22, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

Hi, don't answer these calls screen them through voice mail. This number 1- 899-690-2663 call and say that my Social Security account has suspicious activity and been frozen or an alert . Don't answer the phone. 5 times of this calling, I let voice mail screen it and save the nu.bers for the Police. Be careful!
Catangler
December 09, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I just received a robotic recording saying the same thing that my SSN has been suspended lol . I mean really guys come on do you think I'm going to fall for that one . First and foremost if it is the gov. I trust they know where to find me, I just wait for the knock at the door .
littleoldme
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I got three of them in two days. All three had different area codes and used improper grammar in the message.
littleoldme
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Kirk

I got three of them in two days. All three had different area codes and used improper grammar in the message.
Jen
September 21, 2020

In reply to by Kirk

I got a couple of calls from this texas # today and fri and it was a recording when they left me a message saying my ssn is about to be suspended due to some criminal activity so I be worried the # is 1-469-281-2801
Kenna
October 01, 2020

In reply to by Kirk

Mine came from this number 5413156752 stating the same thing. Scam
Nannyma07108
February 02, 2021

In reply to by Kirk

I just got a call saying my social will be blocked due to fraudulent activity and me not contacting concerned parties. 12014494698
DENGY
March 01, 2019

In reply to by carolyn189

I have been received these types of calls for 2 months, always have them go to VMAIL. Vmail sounded very robotic. Then BLOCKed them, they called back with different number. SSN does not get suspended!!
SAM
March 04, 2019

In reply to by DENGY

Just got robo phone call that my. SSN# was being suspended from 866 4048067 I hung up immediately.
Natali
March 20, 2019

In reply to by SAM

Just got phone call that my. SSN# was being suspended from 866 4041735. Unfortunately I said my name & address, not SSN. What I can do now?
Sjred
May 14, 2019

In reply to by Natali

I told the lady my Name too with some hesitation in my voice. Is there anything I should do?
Susanne
June 20, 2019

In reply to by Natali

Check with a credit bureau to see if there’s anything on your accounts. You can also get a report from them if your SS# is on the dark web. You can put a lock on your accounts so no one can open a CC in your name. Good luck.
KB
March 26, 2019

In reply to by carolyn189

Just got a call from 929-479-3232 (NY) as well saying my number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity in TX. He asked if I have been contacted by the authorities. I said "yes, just this morning". He said, "oh really, what did they say?" I said, "...to be aware of phone scams like yours!" He hung up. The sad part is many folks fall for it, especially elderly. It makes me so angry. I report every such call...every little bit helps I hope.
CA_Mom
April 18, 2019

In reply to by carolyn189

I've gotten 4 calls in the last 5 hours, from 4 different numbers. All robo-calls, asking me to press 1 to connect. I have blocked the number each time, and within an hour I get another call from another number. So frustrating! I have a kid in Army basic training, and we're told to answer all calls, from all numbers, just in cast it's them calling. So I have to answer.....
sb1978
August 02, 2019

In reply to by carolyn189

I had same thing happen. I still reported it to those departments. But I got no response
Jules
August 13, 2019

In reply to by carolyn189

Hi Carolyn, identity theft or any attempt at identity theft including social security scammers should be reported to the FTC. Hope this helps :)
Cat
January 24, 2020

In reply to by carolyn189

I just got a call asking me to press 1 to fix my suspended SS #. 1-800-975-3056 I hung up
Madama CARG rv…
September 17, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

To make sure you at least have that and aren't expecting them to give you that 411.
Surfduderik
November 04, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

I got that call but the phone number and website they left was the actual ssa numbers and website? Still a scam? Thanks
Cmackey1
November 27, 2018

In reply to by Surfduderik

Sometimes scammers make proxy sites that look legit. They replicate the sites they are trying to impersonate. Be sure that the site you are visiting is secured before entering any information. There would be a lock icon to the far right of your browser. Did they leave the phone number to SSA, or is this the number that appeared on your caller ID? Many times, scammers call from spoof numbers.
MsComment
February 28, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

When you get a live person on one of these scam calls, say nothing, just blow a whistle loudly into the phone receiver. It’s hilarious!!!
IHateSpam
March 22, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

Got 3 of the same calls from: 866-404-2213 866-404-2115 866-404-2036 "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. 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."
Muggi 5
September 14, 2018
great info, thanks, I can't stop many Fake e-mails even if i " Block" them. What a lousy future we have to live in. Thanks again. M5
suzy
September 14, 2018
Thank you. Wish I could post this.
FTC Staff
September 14, 2018

In reply to by suzy

You're free to share the information in this blog post. There are quicklinks at the top of the post so you can add it to Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Or, you can copy the text and put it in your own message.

Bjr1952
September 14, 2018
Thank you so much for this information. I would have no idea without your help about such fraud.
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