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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.

  • 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.

Pamelaystang
May 01, 2019
207-405-3243 the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 207-405-3243 thank you…”
Pennsylvania
May 02, 2019
Received a robo call on May 1, 2019 saying they were from Social Security Administration Federal Crime Unit about social security number needed to be verified and call them back at 760-673-7831. Caller ID showed a individual’s name.
TG
May 02, 2019
Have received numerous calls from 308-228-4875 as crime unit and threatening to take my social security payments. Scam.
Rosie
May 02, 2019
Just recieved 2 calls in a half hour saying to call 760-673-7831, This is a scam as I see others are getting the same calls. How does one stop the calls from getting through? Do not want to be scammed!!!
Lilah
May 02, 2019
I received a cell call today from 1 800-876-7416 claiming to be social security and stating that there has been fraud suspected on my account and to contact you at the number above before there is legal enforcement filed against me. It was a recorded message, not a real person. It asked me to call the number above to discuss the issue. I did not call back.
Don't use your…
May 02, 2019
Received a call from 760-673-7831 with a caller id of Estell Demas. Said social security was being suspended and must call.
NT
May 02, 2019
I got a call from +18446869601 saying my SS had been compromised and to call them back. It seems like a fraud
Fake numbers
May 03, 2019
8324975163 Claiming my ss# was used for fraudulence
new yorker
May 03, 2019
702 517 5134. Another scammer called from this number.
Deb
May 03, 2019
Just received a recorded message from 281-623-0191 stating that they would be taking legal action against me due to fraudulence committed with my Social Security number. The message was very robotic and full of incomplete sentences making it difficult to understand. I immediately blocked that number!
LouLouK
May 03, 2019
Have gotten four calls today from 888-815-0323 and 888-815-0226 saying that my SSN had been suspended due to suspicious activity. Sometimes I'll answer for the phone and when they ask me to get something, I just sit for a few minutes and when I come back on line I say, "Officer, has this been enough time to trace the call." The person usually hangs up on me. I know it doesn't accomplish anything and seems petty but if I can put the fear into their hearts for just a few seconds, I must admit it gives me a bit of joy.
DL in CO
May 03, 2019
I keep receiving phone calls from (204) 033-5403 saying the my SSN has been suspended due to some fraudulent activity. When I spoke to the "agent," they gave an agent ID. I challenged them about being a scam. He insisted that they were not. He attempted to keep me on the phone but when I mentioned I will calling the police - he told me to call my local SSA office.
MYCoach
May 03, 2019
“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 _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_…” It’s May 2019 and this fake Dept. Of SS still calling 2-3/week for 2months now. We got to find ways to stop these scammers and I hope other knows that this is a scam.
Johnny D
May 03, 2019
I got a call from 18006743682 saying my car was used fraudulently and I could be arrested so I had to call them so they could verify info and for a fee clean my social security
Royce327
May 04, 2019
I I got caught up in this scam, reported it to Social Security and file the claim also reported to my bank .
JLC
May 04, 2019
i received a call from a 724-461-5455 my caller id says Delmont, PA and it left a message telling me to call social security?
Dhruv
May 06, 2019
I got a call from 877 096-1213. its was an automated call and said that my SSN will be blocked. Well i didn't proceed with it and hung up. I am not sure if it could be a genuine call or not?
8771321946
May 06, 2019
8771321946 this phone number called to report our SSN was suspended due to fraudulent activity. Great scam.
love2learn
May 06, 2019
Received 4 calls over 4 days from 1-800-325-0778 claiming that it was the SSA Legal Department calling because my SSN had been associated with suspicious activity and that my SSN was suspended. Unbelievable.
Fuming in Flor…
May 06, 2019
I just got to calls today from 1-800-722-1031 saying my SS number was suspended and to press 1 for info. I hung up.
msassu
May 07, 2019
I received a phone call from this number (518) 288-5015 saying: 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.
RebeccaR
May 07, 2019
I received a phone call scam re social security shut down of my benefits from this phone number: ‭+1 (877) 031-2213‬
Notdumb
May 07, 2019
Just received 2 calls back to back with this number (206) 120-5960 saying my ssn is being cancelled and assets are being taken i never give info out over the phone
SatyaN
May 07, 2019
I just received a call and a robo voice said, there is a suspicious activity on my SSN and it will be perm blocked. Caller id says - 1-877-066-2213. Am sure it is a scam...
Mandy
May 08, 2019
I’m have a new born and am a stay at home mom of three. They called and left a message saying legal action will continue if not answered back. Well I have had legal action with my social due to an unpaid credit card. A process server came to my home before. So I figured it was that. Then he said he was Officer soandso and his badge number and then told me I was on a recorded line and everything I was saying was going to be used in this up coming criminal case. I have had police convo over the phone so I didn’t think it was wrong. Idk. I’m so stupid. Well I did everything they said. They said walk and go put my money on a gift card so when they go through which accounts are fraud and seize the money they won’t take this money. Saying it now I can’t bribe I did it. I WALKED WITH MY 9 MONTH OLD TO DO ALL THIS. I genuinely thought this was real. So I get the ‘gift cards’ and he says he needs to document them and needs the receipt number. I didn’t even know what that meant. They said if I told anyone anything even that I got a phone call I would be held in contempt. My husband was at work. I have a new baby. Smh I didn’t know this was even something people did. When my husband got home, I told him. And he said Wow that’s strange. And as the night went on he just kept saying a bunch of random what if’s. Then it just hit him. And I am so embarrassed I am so ashamed that I couldn’t tell it was someone stealing our money. I know reading this is like ‘Why would you’ and ‘sucker’ and ‘well if you’re that dumb you deserve it’ but I really really believed them. They found my weakness. Using the police as a scare tactic for me was exactly what they needed to say to get me to give them my stuff. So then I looked it up in the middle of the night becas I feel terrible and found this. And it was so easy to look up. Why did I do that when I was on the phone???? Becas i thought if I looked it up they would see I looked it up and then I would get in trouble. I didn’t check with my husband becas again he said I would get in big trouble. Just thinking about what was said to me and then reading what you guys have experienced just makes me feel more dumb for falling for it.
S.D.
May 08, 2019
Call from "US Government" 800-325-0778 saying my SS# had been suspended due to suspicious activity and to press #1 to speak to an officer. I hung up - knew this to be a scam. Dangerous!
SeniorLady
May 08, 2019
Just received call with a recorded message claiming to be SSA from 1-347-3248 and asking me to confirm the last 4 digits of my ssn. They said that if I didn't call them back they would be forced to issue a warrant for my arrest. I ignored and erased the call...
shelldrew
May 08, 2019
Been receiving calls from 1-888-815-0701 - social security administration - suspicious activity on my social security card - please hit #1 to be connected. They also left a message on my cell. Beware!
QuantumSorcerer
May 08, 2019
I’v been getting these calls all day, today, and messages. I wasn’t impressed and ignored them.
Susan P.
May 09, 2019
Call from 469-213-0634 telling me my SSN had fraud activity - left VM. Called a few hours later left another VM. I checked number was from TX so decided to call them back and waste their time. Asked for their names employee ID #, manager's number. Eventually the person read off my SSN and they new my name and phone number, told me my SSSN would be blocked at midnight and hung up on me. I called them back 5 mins later asked for the manager. I told him I wanted to know the office address. He gave me a NY City address. I asked him why the TX number and he said call is routed from that office. I googled both the TX and NY address provided and told him they were not offices, he said why are you wasting my time and hung-up on me. I kept calling back but it just went to the VM. It did scare me that they had my SSN, name and phone number so I froze my credit information since that is now free to do just to be safe. If you get someone like this on the phone - waste their time and ask them a lot of annoying questions - do give out or confirm anything about you.
Goatie
May 09, 2019
Have received about 5 calls today from 18888150816, all claiming to be from Social Security. I do not answer but this is becoming very annoying!!
malesia
May 10, 2019
I received a robo call today that stated my social security number has been compromised and to call back (different number), the call back number was different than the number on my caller id: 667-300-6018 which came up under United States. However I did not write it down but it was not the actual social security offices number.
theist13
May 10, 2019
They are also using the following numbers: (626) 800-3869 (347) 688-6180 (410) 204-2685 (833) 427-8247 (718) 801-1313 Everyone of these numbers are calling me every single day, so far this morning, which first call started at 8:10am and it is now 1:00pm, each number has called me at least once, the (626) 800-3869 has called my phone 8 times today alone...... PLEASE HOW DO I GET THIS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
chicago dude
May 10, 2019
I got a call from 832-464-5965. Definitely a scam. Told me there was a crime involving my SSN and if I didn't comply immediately (and give my full SSN over the phone) that would need to get a lawyer or be put in jail.
Djclarke52
May 10, 2019
I received a message on my phone that my social security number had been compromised. They said I should call this number right away to get it taken care of 346 233 0001 . Of course I did not return the call. I suspected it was a scam call.
Lydia lane
May 10, 2019
I received 4 of these calls today from four different numbers. All telling me that my SOC number had been suspended. Three times the numbers came up as SOC administration and the last time SOC advisory board. The voice message which was the same each time asked that I press one if I wanted more information about the matter. I did not answer the calls. They all went to voice mail.
rd
May 10, 2019
I just had my daughter's SSI redetermination in two days later I got one of these Social security's robotic scam calls am I okay if I just hung up on the call I didn't give any information? Are the ones having benefits stolen the ones giving information?
nt
May 17, 2019

In reply to by rd

rd, Nobody’s SS benefits are getting stolen. The purpose of these scam calls is to attempt and collect money. So whatever you do, and you’ll continue to receive these calls, is to simply hang up. Better yet, if you don’t recognize the phone number, don’t answer. There are lots of scams out there, so anytime you receive a call, DO NOT give any personal info whatsoever...SSN and credit card info. To ease your mind regarding these calls, simply call the SS office or visit them, and they’ll tell you these are scams. Remember, if a stranger on the phone is asking for money, gift cards, asking you to wire money, asking for your SSN or credit card number, it’s all a scam.
Tam
May 12, 2019
I had same call:( WhAT DO I DO I GAVE MY SSN NUMBER OUT I WAS SO SCARED AND WANTED TO KNOW WHY I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS A FRAUD????? Someone please respond I don’t know what to do? I didn’t give my credit card number only my last 4 ssn
FTC Staff
May 13, 2019

In reply to by Tam

Did you tell your whole Social Security number, or just the last four digits?

Go to this page for tips about what to do if your Social Security number was lost or exposed in a data breach.

Mannu
September 25, 2019

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hi, I have shared last 4 digit of my ssn no. What to do now?
Sasha
May 13, 2019
‭+1 (240) 397-6710‬ Here’s another number trying to suspend your ssn
dandn
May 13, 2019
I just got a call saying that it was from Social secure administration, That I am going to jail if I don't call back, they said that have a lawsuit against me, and I have to call them. what should I do?
lucy
May 13, 2019
Received a call from ‭+1 (208) 420-3305‬ saying my ssn is blocked because of suspicious activity, I called back and this guy answered when I told him I knew it was a scam threatened me and the calls are most frequent now, total harassment
rajkiran616
May 16, 2019
I got a call from "2038622356" saying that my SSN is blocked due to certain reasons, can you please have an investigation on this number and see if they are doing any scam. I had hungup call immediately. I
Spam
May 13, 2019
I just received a call regarding my social security number has been compromised, and all of my assets would be seized. phone number 1800-148-3777
Seachaps
May 13, 2019
I just received a robo call from the “SSN” NOT indicating that there was a legal action attached to my SSN and that I should contact them. The number that came up on my caller ID is 866-578-4559. Just wanted to let folks know.
Someone Is Scamming
May 14, 2019
Got this on Google Voice this morning. The voice was computer-generated. Is there somewhere I can forward the message to? It was from a clearly faked number. "The phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions have been filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities. So when you get this message speak to our officer, or kindly call us back on our hotline number 855-494-8307. I'll repeat that is 855-494-8837. Don't disregard this notice and do return the call before we begin with the legal proceedings against you. Thank you."
concerned citizen
May 14, 2019
Got a phone call from "Department of Social Security" claiming there was "suspicious activity" with my social security card and if I wanted to keep it from being suspended push "1" - I did not. I hung up and blocked the phone number. The phone number was 1-800-888-3332.