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The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
  • Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there.
  • Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
  • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.

If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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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.

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Robert Nix
December 12, 2018
-- Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there. Why did the phone companies implement a system that is so easily spoofed? I get 10 calls a day from scammers, none of which can be traced back to their phone number due to this problem. I almost wish they'd just eliminate caller-id entirely, let the dust settle, and then implement a secure system.
LIRight47
December 14, 2018

In reply to by Houstonian

I also agree 100%. Between 40 and 50% of incoming calls are spoofed or robocalls. I bought my own VOIP and call blocker roughly two years ago and I've gotten to the point where if the incoming call is unfamiliar or unknown to me I never answer - I just block it.
Gsshelp1
June 11, 2019

In reply to by LIRight47

100% and they scare me really bad to the point I have to look up the latest scams on a weekly basis and my health is not good at all and this makes my anxiety even worse. I pray that someone will help us.
Joeman
November 15, 2019

In reply to by LIRight47

They called offering me a lone then I got the call about my SSI n
DM
November 21, 2019

In reply to by LIRight47

Received an automated call claiming to be from SSA investigations saying they need to hear from us immediately. We knew it was a scam and did NOT return the call. Phone number given was 1-877-587-6977
Beavis
February 21, 2020

In reply to by NH has it too

They keep calling me from this number. ‭+1 (646) 993-1180‬
PB
March 03, 2020

In reply to by Beavis

I also got a call today stating the same...to call them back ASAP at 1-888-878-0489. I have blocked this number. Beware everyone.
No2020
October 15, 2020

In reply to by Nik4me2019

Just received a call saying that my number was used in Texas and to talk with the officer, press one. The number it came from was 716-670-3107
Linda
December 03, 2020

In reply to by No2020

I just got the same call but from different number. 6306518313 They asked me for my name. when I said I'd call them back they said for me to go to SS office and hung up on me.
Governor72
December 15, 2020

In reply to by No2020

A woman called and said she was on officer of Social Security, she said somebody used my ss# was used in Texas the number she used was 601-613-6417.
Don'12/16/20t …
December 16, 2020

In reply to by No2020

I just got the same call but my problem was supposedly in Georgia. The number that I was left on my answering machine was 608-504-8342.
Hammer-On
June 09, 2020

In reply to by NH has it too

I got one on (510) 564-8937. Tried to say they have a case with my local police. I was like tell the local police to come to my house. I'll verify with them.
cml0512
September 03, 2020

In reply to by Hammer-On

Yes, I just received this one and the man was super convincing and when I told him that I didn't live in Texas, this is where he is say the incident happened, he told me I was facing multiple criminal charges but couldn't tell me for what he just kept telling me the police were going to arrest me. The message that was left on my phone was one saying that not responding would be considered an act of willing noncompliance with authorities... He called me from: 908-490-8202
Tee
September 29, 2020

In reply to by cml0512

I got a similar message today from +12065317146 said to call them back on +17652047165
Re
November 02, 2020

In reply to by Tee

651-508-5817 just called caller id said Minnesota (I live in Minnesota) , la computer program talking in a man's voice it was aggressive he seemed very angry eft me a message saying they were ss and I was in trouble for multiple crimes in Texas and this was there second attempt to contact me and I was told they were taking my ss number and I needed to talk to them I was told to press 1. I hung up!
Chyennemoon
January 12, 2021

In reply to by cml0512

I just received a call.Said my ssn was being suspended due to fraudulent activity.Gave his name officer ricky Edwards badge#1415090.Asked if I’d ever lost my card and if I ever been in Texas?If I was from Florida.Couldnt call back to find out what was going on with case.Had to complete questionnaire at that moment.I hung up!Called from 941-740-8117..
FISHBITE0416
March 18, 2021

In reply to by Hammer-On

That's funny the same thing happened to me they said had the local police been in your house so I did return the call because I'm not sure about that but when I did he asked me for my birthday and I told him well if you're having a warrant out for me you must know my birthday and then he hung up on me
anonymous12345
July 21, 2020

In reply to by sharkey

I have gotten at least 3 calls from different numbers (Texas and the state in which I live) in the last week.
Beccah C.
July 27, 2020

In reply to by sharkey

I have received several calls from (562)358-6279 claiming its the Social security Dept. And they have detected fraud on my account. I looked up number ..Its not the Social Security Admin. Beware of scammers using this number. Thank you!
CindyL
August 17, 2020

In reply to by Beccah C.

I have had several calls from 980 911-8805, then 980, 155-5799, then 980-895-9521, then they went to the last number 631-518-7897 and many more because I refused to answer these calls. What should I do if they keep calling?
philme
October 19, 2020

In reply to by CindyL

i just got a call from 785 713 5319 saying there was fraudulent activity on my social and if i didnt talk to someone immediately a warrant would be issued for my arrest .
Me self me self
August 11, 2021

In reply to by philme

And it was a scam? (The same thing is happening to me)
LORI
January 20, 2021

In reply to by CindyL

some scammer just called Daniel Soto 440 650 1540 I hung up. The recorded message said some one is using my number for illegal activity.
Deb jae
February 24, 2021

In reply to by LORI

I got a call saying fraudulent activity was detected I should call and then the call was disconnected, so I never got a number, but before I got disconnected the recording said this could affect my account.
sevuni
October 13, 2020

In reply to by Beccah C.

Yes, me too. I have received several phone calls from 516-545-1561,8391,8341,8619. Siri-like voice telling me that I have a suspicion actions on my account.
jb914
February 17, 2021

In reply to by John.G

I have been receiving messages on my home phone for two weeks. When I use the number on the caller id to call back, the number is not in service. I finally answered today and same story - fraudulent activity using my SSN in Texas. Low-lifes
Chris
February 27, 2021

In reply to by sharkey

They hAve left me a number of voice mails telling me that my case is about to go to court and even transfered me to a guy who claimed to be a detective working on the case
Scuba scuba steveo
January 27, 2021

In reply to by NH has it too

They just called me with this same recording form a 206-468-6459
GX
December 16, 2019

In reply to by DM

I get calls like this all of the time, but never answer or respond. My latest was this morning. 1-832-501-0922. Not a SSA caller obviously.
Playhouse
August 20, 2020

In reply to by DM

Received two calls in one day less than an hour apart from 413.623.3623. Robocall message about fraudulent activity on SSN and to call them back at that number.
CtS
August 21, 2020

In reply to by DM

I received a scam phone call from (936) 251-1798, saying that there was criminal activity on my social security number, and to call them back. I'm reporting it to the FTC.
Don't juliusus…
September 22, 2020

In reply to by CtS

Just received a call from( 202)584-7319, saying that he( David Brown) was with the Investigation Division of Social Security Administration and that there was suspicious activity on my social security number. There was loud background noise like they were at a call center. I hung up when he asked for the last four digits of my social security number.
username514
February 19, 2021

In reply to by DM

i got this same message but the number was (323)-486-2985
Billyjack
June 25, 2020

In reply to by LIRight47

I got officer calling saying there been fraud call the number or be not complying.
Unsolved
January 15, 2021

In reply to by LIRight47

Hi. Its been a couple years since this thread started and yet I JUST now received a call (displaying a local number) that had an automated voice talking about south texas ssn issue and "to Press 1" for help. I hung up and blocked. Honestly, if you aren't paying my taxes, you don't need my ssn but without laws to protect us, abuse of ssn as an identifier which is was not supposed to be, over use is rampant.
Babygirl72
December 18, 2018

In reply to by Houstonian

I agree 100%, unfortunately, there are financial and other companies who will not give credit without caller id..ironic.
Gatornose
February 15, 2019

In reply to by Houstonian

Agree. The phone service taxes the living daylights out of us and can stop the fraud phone numbers on caller ID. PATHETIC
Victim 1
March 25, 2019

In reply to by Gatornose

What do you do if you someone who actually gave some information? I have a friend who had something similar happen to them recently. I dont want anything to happen to him. Is there anything he can do?
NC
December 10, 2020

In reply to by Gatornose

Yeah I have been getting phone calls to claim there social security as well. I was getting so tired of this so I just set up call blocker though my phone company that seem to work. And it goes through voicemail
smurfing
April 29, 2019

In reply to by Houstonian

I 100% agree this calls have actually gotten worse since I registered my number with FTC, I'm afraid to answer my cell phone anymore.