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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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  • 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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KT
February 01, 2019
My call came from Crows Landing, CA 209-690-7604 - same situation that there is legal enforcement action on my SSA and to call back before they begin legal proceedings against me.
malick
February 04, 2019
The question is what can we do if we are not aware of this. It is scary that federal offices are not able to protect their numbers!
Barbara
February 05, 2019
I got a call today from San Antonio, Texas. They said someone had put a lien on my Social Security benefits and they gave me a number to call to resolve the problem. I may be 72, but I'm not stupid.
DallasCowboy
February 05, 2019
Here is another number that is making fake robo-call : (936) 202 3570
Mjl77
February 06, 2019
800-908-4490 is a scam call to attempt to steal your ss#
Anonymous
February 07, 2019
I got a call from (413) 406-2527 saying that my SSN was used in fraudulent activities and it will be suspend. I just hang up and check online , good thing i saw this blog. Thanks but I hope someone should investigate this. Most applications online requires ssn and all can be subject to fishing and fraud.
St. Louis MO
February 12, 2019
2/12/2019. I just received a call from 866-404-6218 stating they are from the "Social Security Office Investigation" office and my SSN is about to be suspended. They confirmed my first and last name and the last four digits of my SSN. They stated that there were 20 bank accounts established in TX and that I needed to confirm what accounts were mine and the balance of each. I mentioned the accounts but refused the balances and then the line was disconnected. I have since called back multiple times and there is just dead air. Beware please.
Adbad
February 13, 2019
I got a call from ‭+800 7772621‬, said my SSN will be discontinued, if you want to speak to administrator press 1. I pressed 1 and call disconnected.
Gamamat
February 13, 2019
HELP my dad just got this same scam , he gave them his ssn , what should he do now?
jim
February 13, 2019
Got one from League City Texas yesterday, call back number 832-632-4435
Lilman
February 15, 2019
Just received a call saying there was fraudulent action on my social security number the call came from 1-214-717-4947 im afraid and don't know what to do
chuang
February 15, 2019
On 2/15, received a phone call from 559.851.5563 stating that there's a legal enforcement action filed on my SSN for criminal actives and asked me to call back before they begin with the legal proceedings.
bab
February 15, 2019
getting Scam calls and i have blocked these numbers. they have called me from 1-800-432-0477, 1-888-784-3018, and 1-855-285-7006 in the past three days. All three messages are the same from these three numbers. I wasn't born yesterday. don't answer calls you don't know and don't return calls to number listed. if i am concerned about the status of whatever legal ID then i will call that agency or visit office to be sure. you can never to sure these days.
Docarnie
February 19, 2019
I just received the SSA threatening phone call except the Caller ID showed this number: 513-712-4030 from Liberty Township, OH. The leopard is changing his spots.
johns4evergirl
February 19, 2019
I have received 2 calls this month from 415-325-5283. 1st one the recording said that my social security number was used in connection with a criminal act and I needed to call immediately to get it cleared up. 2nd one the recording said that my SS number would be blocked immediately if I did not return the call. BEWARE
“Suspended” SSN
February 19, 2019
Over the weekend I received a text from an unfamiliar number asking why I kept calling them, coupled with a screenshot of a missed call list with my actual phone number. This week I’ve received multiple calls from VA (757) and MO (636) saying my SSN was suspended. Each time they leave a prerecorded message in what sounds like an Indian or Pakistani accent. I did call back. A man with the same accent answered & I cursed him to filth. He hung up on me. I called back & I think he blocked me. I’m nobody’s victim.
starwarsmaniac
February 19, 2019
i fell for this scam recently, i have registered a complaint online and blocked my credit card. Is there anything else that i should do ?
C Lewis
February 19, 2019
Hi just received a similar call from Hudson, CO 720-358-4999 Saying "This is the SSN department, my name is Officer K Johnson and this call is regarding your Social Security Number. We found some fraudulent activities under your name. To know more information, please call us back on this number 720-358-4999. " It was a recorded voice, not a live person. I am assuming this is a scammer, too?
Seattle guy
February 19, 2019
I had a call 6 am this morning from a Colorado number, didn't pick up. Later in the day I called that number 720-3584999 and a person identify himself as "Mike Boston", a SS agent and gave me his "badge number". He was able to quote my address without me telling him and that made me thought he was legit . Actually he was able to cross reference my address from the number I called from. He said my SS number has been compromised and I was a victim of identity theft. My name was linked to drug trafficking South of the border. For my protection they are locking up my SS number but before they proceed I need to verify my SS number and other info. I told him that I need to call SSA customer service to confirm first and will call him back. He said I only had 25 minutes. I reported that as fraud.
Thammala
February 20, 2019
We received a call from some number of NJ and she said the same that they are from SSA and suspicious activity, arrest warrant issued, you have 45 mins and then gave us her name and batch id# and my wife was getting nervous and without letting me know she gave the last 4 digits of SSN#, but when I noticed that I asked to find out the email address of that SSA person and she just hung up. The number they used is +1-973-619-9467
Concerned party
August 30, 2019

In reply to by Thammala

Same thing here people are mad from this number 18000588551
state of attorney
February 20, 2019
phone scam 281 638 8920 from Texas. It's about social security used in numerous fraudulent activity and is suspended.
finnad
February 20, 2019
two days in a row I receive phone calls from 800-777-2676 thy say that my SS is blocked and ask to press 1 for more info. DO NOT DO THAT. I called this number from another phone answering system told me that this is a sales company. Just a simple question; WHEN THIS WILL BE STOPPED?????? My phone is on the DO NOT CALL list and I still have to deal with this nonsense.
citizen1
February 20, 2019
Be careful from a number in League city, TX 1-281-724 xxxx its a scam they told my husband they were from Social Security Admin. SSA will never call you, don't call back, don't fall for their tricks
cindylou
February 22, 2019
These con artists will not stop calling. I finally pressed 1 and told them I reported them to the authorities and they better stop calling. They call from 8664043135. It’s getting annoying
LazyDazy
February 25, 2019
I just received a call saying there have been charges filed against me for fraudulent activity. Those charges were filed with the social security office and I needed to call them back before it goes to legal to find a resolution. I called back the number, expecting the number they called me from to not be legit, but a person came on and told me it was the soc sec office and then he proceeded to give me his federal id number and employee number... then he said exactly what was said on the recording... then, he asked my name... I gave him my name and he quickly spouted off my address... then he asked for my date of birth... I quickly said I didn't feel comfortable providing that information and he became a little hostile pretty quickly and informed me that I was speaking to the federal government and I needed to answer the question. I said, I plan to after I hang up and call my LOCAL social security office. He got angry with me and told me that I should take care of this or I will have legal charges against me. The whole time I knew it was likely a scam... the gentleman had a thick foreign accent and it sounded like a call center in the background. Just amazing how much better these scammers are getting at trying to sound legit... like giving me his id numbers up front. The number that called me was 936-730-2001. Hope this information helps...
FromGeorgia
February 25, 2019
So we file SS Retirement benefits online a couple weeks ago. The confirmation email includes a number with a message that says someone from SSA may call if they have additional questions. Received a call a few minutes ago asking me if we applied for benefits and wanted my personal details before he would ask the questions he had. How do I know the caller is legit? No way for me to confirm as he said he didn't have access to my application confirmation number. Really, seems useless if true? Why would SSA say they may call for additional information when there is no way to verify the authenticity of the caller? Seems the whole online application process is fundamentally flawed.
mary
February 26, 2019
Just got another one. Hi this is officer calling you from the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for criminal activities. So when you get this message kindly call us soon as possible on our number that is 205-273-1281.
NotTodayBro
February 26, 2019
I just listened to a voicemail from Clifton, TX. 254-326-1337. The recorded message informed me that my SS number had been flagged for fraudulent activity. I suspected a scam and was curious so I called back. A man answered saying , Social Security Adminsitration, May I help you,” with a very heavy foreign accent. I could hear lots of background noise that sounded like a call center. I didn’t say anything to the guy. I just listened for a few seconds and hung up.
House mngr
August 23, 2019

In reply to by NotTodayBro

Some one called,said from SS. Said they were going to sue. I just hung up. I figure that SS. would only send a letter.
texas dude
February 27, 2019
i got a call this morning saying my ss number was used in criminal acivity and fraudulant arrest warrant issued and to find out more about this call 224-487-7002 ..I block this number.. 2-26-2019
MS dude
August 22, 2019

In reply to by texas dude

Just got same exact call from a number like this +800 0736276 XT People like this need to be put in jail it’s ridiculous to scare people like that!
samjohnson
March 06, 2019
he is scammer 918076046193
Fort Dodge
February 28, 2019
I just got a call from this number 1(800)747-7753. Fake agent called me to tell me that someone is using my SSN in TX.
Csilva8198
February 28, 2019
Just got this call today claiming my social security number was been used for fraudulent activity. Then started asking me for my bank accounts. I told them I dont have any and they asked for credit cards I said dont have those either they said I think your lying . Then they disconnected the call. Crazy things these days.
Upset in the South
February 28, 2019
My mom received a message this morning saying her SSN has been used to commit several murders and crimes in the State of Texas. The caller then pretend to connect her to the FBI. The fake FBI advised her that she would be charge for the fraudulent activity and the murder if she didn't cooperate with them. When she asked to get me on the phone, they were any with her and told her that she lost her chance to help herself. This is so sad. I really the government would do something about this problem.
TMorris
September 30, 2020

In reply to by Upset in the South

I got the exact same thing happened to me just about a hour ago I am crying at work thinking this was real people are so sad and low to scam like this smh
SS Scam
February 28, 2019
I got a message from someone stating my social security number had been used to commit illegal activities. I knew this was a scam and as I was nursing a cold and in bed, I had enough time to waste these scammers time. I called and spoke to someone with an accent and when he was convinced that I could be conned, he transferred to to his boss. The boss was another man with an accent and told me he could help me get a new social security number but I would need to follow procedures. He asked for my address, and after I gave him a false address, he asked me to go to Kroger. He was willing to stay on the phone with me while I drove to Kroger. Once I told him I was there, he asked that I buy Google Play Cards and send him the codes. After 4 hours of wasting his time, I told him he would not get any cards from me.
Codeross
March 01, 2019
Received a call they are going to block my S.S. Number because of false activity. The number that called was 240-382-3363. I called back and they asked my name. I said you must know it because you called me. They said hold on and then hung up.
Concerned
March 01, 2019
Have gotten several calls from 800 numbers saying my SSN will be blocked. By the 3 call I decided to ask them questions. The easiest way to end the call is to ask THEM to confirm the SSN rather than the other way around. The numbers that have called me are: 1-800-747-7760 1-800-747-7770
Tied of scammers
March 01, 2019
Got a call from la area code 213 985 7394 saying my social has fraudulent activity This was on my cell which is on the do not call list! Watch out for this attempted scam
fake caller no
March 01, 2019
7072196061
Williams
March 01, 2019
Received call yesterday claiming my social security number had illegal activity and unless I called would result in legal action. The call back number actually worked. (281) 896-0933. The person on the other end claimed to be from Social Security and wanted my name, SS#, and birthdate. They hung up on me when they realized I wasn’t going to give them good information. Since the number actually worked, you’d think someone could figure out where these people are.
Fake Caller
March 02, 2019
I received a call today (832-497-5127) out of Texas telling me they were from the Social Security office and that something was wrong with my disability claim. I of course KNOW better than to give anyone any information, but.. there should be a better way to stop these people.. there should be an actual hot-line to report these numbers and then, you should be able to trace them and stop them... Good Lord...
Lee1976
July 22, 2019

In reply to by Fake Caller

Yes there should be a central database of all this info and telephone numbers and a branch of the FBI or someone should go after these people. Who knows how many elderly fall for this every day.
Watchout
March 04, 2019
772 905 2950 left message they suspended my SSS # due to suspicious activity.. fake, phony... I I blocked contact
Californian
March 04, 2019
I am getting multiple calls every day from 1-800-747-77xx. The last two digits are different. All asking me to ‘press 1 ...’ I just hang up but would like to know if these people can be caught and brought to justice because some one else could fall for the scam. Wouldn’t it be better to stop them before someone loses a lot of money?
Teddy bear
March 04, 2019
I recieved a call from 18664042801Interesting. I just a recieved a call from this number 866-404-2801 That my Social Security number has been suspended. I did a reverse search on this number and found out people have been getting the same message. Others who have called back shows the number as being disconnected. I called social security and there is a message stating they are aware of the situation.
budzilla
March 05, 2019
325 480 2957 Got one today from this number. VM states all the same stuff.. Fraudulent activity blah blah blah call us back. Thanks for this forum.
Texan
March 05, 2019
I recieved one of the robo calls from864-952-8937 saying there was criminal activity on my social and to call back before criminal proceedings are filed for my arrest