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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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Sparkles
September 09, 2019

In reply to by Zud the Asparagus

I received my call from Lake Wales FL 863-855-6979 this is a new one it’s usually from New York
Happy Retiree
September 04, 2019
I got a voice message from Lufkin, TX 936.229.3795 was one of the numbers that has been calling me continuously. Anyway the message was transcribed by my phone to say I needed to call their number and verify my social security number. If they don't have a call backl from me they will get me arrested. Some words didn't transcribe, but I got the message....SCAM!!!!
Destypooh
September 05, 2019
Got a call this morning telling me that my ssn has to be changed bc people are doing fraud on it . They tried giving me a list of banks . Then I told them I didn’t have one so they disconnected the phone call should I be worried the have my phone number and ssn.
concerned
January 15, 2020

In reply to by Destypooh

I am also worried, I am young and provided the last four of SSN, how can I fix this
Sam
September 05, 2019
Received a call from 800-517-4004 saying my SSN has been comprised and to call them immediately otherwise all my benefits will be ceased.
Sneha Reddy
September 05, 2019
I got a call from 800-258-3788. The number didn't look familiar so I didn't care to answer. They left me a voicemail that SSA is about to block my SSN permanently if I do not call them back. I am glad I found this one.
MyraJC
September 05, 2019
Scammers with caller location Mainland China robo call identifying the caller as ‘Social Security.” Voicemail left: 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 his 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…” Not answering and blocking each number doesn’t help. Wednesday Sept 4, 2019 +86605349862 10:38 am +86605933369 12:54 pm +86605949197 5:12 pm Thursday Sept 5, 2019 1 86608991804 11:04 am 1 86607504705 2:45 pm
Tennessee
September 05, 2019
Received a call from what appeared to be a local number, but its not. I know the person whose number they copied, he's retired. An automated message from "Officer Amanda Barnes" with "Social Security" saying there was fraudulent activity on my social security number on the southern border of Texas and I needed to use option 1 to discuss with Officer Amanda Barnes. The message never named a specific person in my household.
victim_of_fraud
September 05, 2019
I got a fraud call from 1-800-982-3338. How can I provide this tip to law enforcement?
Yolanda
September 05, 2019
I have been getting calls all day saying fraudulent activity has been linked to my ss# , and to call 417-955-4143 before they proceed with legal proceedings. They are calling out of Stockton, Mo. I knew this had to be a scam.
Leo Grasso
September 05, 2019
‭+1 (469) 904-9096‬ Heard a voicemail from this number . Something about four fraudulent activities with my SSN. Somewhere in Texas. I called back but there was another recording. I did not leave any information. Blocked number on my phone and tagged it as SCAM. I won’t ever pick these calls at all. Be Aware! These guys are crafty!!
Kyla2019
September 06, 2019
Robo call from 469-714-7150 advising that my SS was being suspended due to an fraud investigation against me. Have no idea who this call is really from but message said to press 1 to talk with officer. Hung up and blocked #
Bkkp1247
September 06, 2019
I just received a call saying they were the social security admin, and that my card has a "legal enforcement action" and that I needed to cal a 443 phone number and confirm the last four digits of my SS#. If I did not call, they would issue a warrant for my arrest.
Rebanked
September 06, 2019
These social security scams are getting more brazen and more frequent. Got one from Off. Russell Johnson; with the Texas scenario and criminal activity with my social security number. About now he us supposed to be sending the police to take me into custody. My concern is that this kind of thing can really scare the weak at heart and exacerbate any present health condition. HOW CAN WE STOP THESE CALLS FROM CONTINUING?
Grizmatian
September 06, 2019
This scam is ongoing. They call and leave me voice mails several times a day, daily. I'm not worried for myself because I know its bogus, but I worry about older folks who may actually follow the prompts and give out their personal information. There has got to be a way to get rid of these people.
Naive & Fooled
September 06, 2019
A man called me this afternoon saying that he was from the Social Security administration office. He told me that he was an officer and that there was a warrant out for my arrest! He told me that two people in Texas were using my Social Security number for tens of thousands of dollars the purchases to and from Mexico in Columbia. That it was for illegal drugs and since it was mice Social Security number that the warrant was out for my arrest – although it was not me making these purchases obviously. I got so scared and was very naïve, he asked me for the The last four digits of my Social Security number which I gave him! I’m very nervous about that. He also asked me about my Chase bank account and my Discover card account. He was asking me what the limit on my Discover card was, I tried informing him that I was $1000 over my limit I had to explain that to him three times, which made me very suspicious. Then he asked me how much money I had in my Chase account, unfortunately I have -$95 in there, which I also told him The last four digits of my Social Security number which I gave him! I’m very nervous about that. He also asked me about my Chase bank account and my Discover Card account. He was asking me what the limit on my Discover card was, I tried informing him that I was $1000 over my limit I had to explain that to him three times, which made me very suspicious. Then he asked me how much money I had in my Chase account, unfortunately I have -$95 in there, which I also told him Because I thought it was real he made me so nervous about it! I also thought it was real because he gave me a case number, his name and badge number and the arrest warrant number. He called from the telephone number 866–2 17–8642. He told me my SSA case Number was 19FMC107. He told me his name was Officer Glensmits. He told me his bad Nici number was 02840175. And then he told me my arrest warrant number was 02954698. I don’t know if any of this information will help out, but I hope it does! This is very scary and unbelievable that people are doing this to others! This guy had me on the phone in tears over the situation that I naïvely at first thought was real! After filing my intuition, the first red flag was his very strong Indian accent. The second red flag was him not understanding that I was over my credit card limit. So I looked up online if people could call pretending to be SSA employees and found an article basically explaining a recent scam and it was exactly what happened to me! Oh yes and he said that my Social Security number was being used by two different people in Texas. I feel so foolish for giving him the last four of my social but fortunately I’m so broke I don’t think I’ll have any interest in getting into my bank accounts.
Moomer43
September 06, 2019
I work at the VA and one day a Veteran was at my window talking to me and his phone rang. I could tell right off the bat that it was a scam call and told him "NOT TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OUT ABOUT HIS SS#". He told them he would call them back and hung up with them. I told him never give out any information to someone who calls him and wants his SS# or any other private information. I stressed to him that they are scammers and are praying on the elderly to get them to give out information that they can use to deplete their bank accounts etc...….I hope I saved him from loosing his home, car etc. I would like to be able to have information to hand out to these Veterans to keep them safe from these predators that want to take something that isn't theirs.
NYSAILORGAL
September 07, 2019
Friday, Sept 6 between 9am and 7pm -- I received 4 calls - all different numbers (all with 899-xxx-xxxx) leaving me the same SSN suspended voicemail.
Jazz
September 09, 2019
Another number to add to the scam calls 410.695.4497- Amazing how this is happening. Apparently I’m going to be arrested for fraud in a country that I’ve never even been.
AlmostVictimOf…
September 09, 2019
I received a call today from this number 800-775-5550 advising that I had a warrant under my social security number and that it will be suspended if I didn’t respond by pressing 1. Well, I didn’t press 1. In fact, I was scared but curious because I had got similar calls in the past so I went to the almighty internet to see if I can find peace. I seen the comments of similar scams and it gave me somewhat of a closure but I wanted to make sure. So I called the number back and it comes back as a realtor group in which there answer machine advised that their number had been involved in a scam so disregard if you receive a call. It was then satisfied that it was a scam.
Melanie
September 09, 2019
I received a scam from 8502049059 today and this is a number you can call back( two different people answer the phone). pay attention to that.
Tnacht
September 09, 2019
Recent call from 410-431-1141 stating that criminal charges are pending against my ss# and asked me to verify. I did not do that but want to report the number.
Blueskies
September 09, 2019
Received a call from this number 816-357-1860 saying my social security number had been compromised at the southern border.
VermishousKanit
September 09, 2019
Just got a call from Laredo, Texas. Number was 1 956 857 3259. Guy said he was from SSA and gave me his name (fake name im sure). Then asked me to confirm the final 4 of my ss#. I said "im not sure if I want to do that". Then he hung up...........
call from California
September 09, 2019
I received a call from 949-459-3287 stating I needed to call back immediately about activity on my S.S. card. When I called it sounded like a call center lots of background noise. So I hung up and search for this site.
Alex
September 09, 2019
They call me through (800)541-8611 number.they ask me some suspicious activities on ssn number.they tell me that we will block ur ssn .so remove ur funds from ur account and transfer to digital account.one police officer also call me that u remove ur funds and do as officer told u.i was terribly scared of that. Don’t pick these kind of call.
Scammer
September 10, 2019
I received the call from the phone number listed here claiming to be part of the Social Security Administration Building it's an accent very heavy accent do not give him any information he's a scammer+18179849312
DAL
September 10, 2019
Two calls to my cell today within a couple hours from 800-671-3341 and the other from 800-627-5243, both with the same recording saying my SSN was going to be suspended due to suspected/potential fraudulent use. Really getting tired of this!
akr_Nebraska
September 10, 2019
I received a call on 9/10/2019 from this number: 908-8180239. They pretended to be from social security and called my cell, and asked me to call back. I called back from a different number. the guy spoke in foreign accent (i suspect India, Pakistan etc, but could be wrong). please investigate so people are not taken for a ride!.
vance!
September 10, 2019
908-818-0239 is another number calling to state this
Maggie925
September 10, 2019
I received 2 calls today saying my SSN had suspicious activity. The calls came from 1-800-827-3441 and 1-800-812- 9614. I did not respond and thought it was a scam.
Rbb
September 10, 2019
‭+1 (800) 847-0938‬ Just got the same call but from the number preceding this. Left a message saying my SSN was going to be suspended from fraudulent use and to press one to speak to a detective. I have had two from a NY number yesterday call for the same thing. The list of blocked numbers keeps getting longer and longer.
Daisy Mae
September 10, 2019
I was told that my SSN was to be suspended because my name was connected to a money laundering scheme in Texas and if I didn't do what they said they would have the FBI come and arrest me and if that happens I would be in jail for at least seven years trying to clear my name. The caller ID number was 707/584-6831. I received 5 calls starting at 7:30am and they even left me a voice mail telling me I must call them back to avoid arrest.
Lilly
September 10, 2019
Hello. I also received a call today from this number ‭+1 (800) 002-9819‬. I spent about 10min on the phone because 1) i freaked out at first 2) i kept asking the guy to repeat what he was saying because i couldn’t understand a word he was saying—he has a very very heavy ancient (maybe from India) he said his name was Brice Walker. He said my social security had been comprised and it had to be suspended. He said someone in El Paso, TX had been associated with my number. He gave an address in El Paso but because of his heavy accent i couldn’t understand what he said. Unfortunately i confirmed the last 4 of my social and zip code. And then it clicked that it was a scam. Do you know if any of my information will be compromise? I’m really really worried. Any recommendations on what to do will be appreciated!
jannet
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Lilly

Hi lily , same thing happened to me. I’m very worried. Did any of your information get compromised ?
Sharisse
September 11, 2019
813-701-2529. Requesting your call back regarding fraud on your ss#.
kim
September 11, 2019
I have received 6 of these calls in less than 3 hours. What the heck? Did my number get compromised somehow? I even hung up a call with my daughter to answer one that I thought was coming from a community business. This is getting disruptive to daily activities. What can we, as consumers do to change this? Recently I visited Germany while my daughter was there for work; something in their governmental policies makes this scam activity non-existent. How can we do the same? What are they giving up? Perhaps it is worth it for the greater good of our society.
dave
September 11, 2019
My wife and I are thankful for caller id. We get calls numerous times a day from numbers we don't recognize and don't answer them. If they're legit, they will leave a message.
juliacla
September 11, 2019
Number they calling from 9152137925; they have called 6 time 3 days after wallet stolen from vehicle.
Pineapple 123
September 11, 2019
Just got 1 86603390174 scam number from California
happyface123
September 11, 2019
I messed up and gave the last 4 of my social to who I thought was SSA employee. Number on my caller ID said dish Network promotions when I looked it up. What scares me is I just made a small purchase from my card about 2 minutes before I got the call. Frustrated, can't get a hold of my card company cause it's busy. I hope they can't get it all.
rvb
September 12, 2019
I received a call from (206)-516-6324 saying a warrant was out for my arrest and the caller had my address and phone number.
Kmc19
September 12, 2019
I keep getting calls saying it is social security and that my account has been compromised and payments will stop. They then ask me to confirm my number. When I say I don’t give that out and want a letter from them for this. They hang up.
Easteregg
September 12, 2019
Received call aboutlegal action action my S.S number from 210 446 1344
Kimmie
September 12, 2019
I was told that they had an arrest or warrant for laundry money I was told that the federal agents would be here to arrest me that my identity had been stolen, I was given me opportunity to not get may funds taken. They kept telling me not to hang up or I would be arrested within 12 hours if I hung up, The call was from BuBa TX the number was 1 512 523 4093 the callers name was Seven Gordon and he even gave me his employee number. They kept threating me . I was at work and they wanted me to go to on line banking and withdraw my funds leaving 100.00 in my account they wanted to get a government voucher, At that point I hung up I did call that number back and it was answered, I told them that I was going to notify the official they hung up
OHIOScambuster
September 13, 2019
09/13/2019 Just received automated call saying Law Enforcement had questions about my S.S., and that my number and benefits would be froze immediately. I was asked to press 1 to speak with an agent.????
Concerned citizen
September 16, 2019
I just received a call from 1-201-986-1146 claiming that it was the Social Security Administration and that a warrant had been issued for my arrest. The line transferred me to the "CI Department" (Crime Investigation) with "Mike Tanner" ID# 12009 who gave me the phone number of 201-986-6085. They then asked for my last name and SSN. This was very frightening and I believe that it is a scam. I sincerely hope that this entire "crew" will be brought to swift justice.
Tom
September 17, 2019
Call from Honey Brook Pa (area code 610 regarding possible grand jury action. Scam.
THE SAINT of NYC
September 17, 2019
WARNING !!!! Someone called me and said my SS benefits were being garnished by the government and called me from this number : ( 719 ) 888 - 6324 ?? COLORADO ?? lol I LIVED IN NYC Soooo, I gave them my work # to call me back...... ( 212 ) 416 - 8300 N.Y. ATTORNEY GENERALS' OFFICE !!!!