Consumer Alert
This is what a Social Security scam sounds like
Earlier this month, we told you about a growing scam: people pretend to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and try to get your Social Security number or your money. That scam is now growing exponentially. To compare: in 2017, we heard from 3,200 people about SSA imposter scams, and those people reported losing nearly $210,000. So far THIS year: more than 35,000 people have reported the scam, and they tell us they’ve lost $10 million.
Here’s what one of those scam calls sound like:
Scammers are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. Sometimes, he’ll say your bank account is about to be seized – but he’ll tell you what to do to keep it safe. (Often, that involves putting your money on gift cards and giving him the codes – which, of course, means that your money is gone.)
Oh, and your caller ID often shows the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) when these scammers call – but they’re faking that number. It’s not the real SSA calling.
Here's what to know:
- Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. You don’t have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
- SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.
- The real SSA number is 1-800-772-1213, but scammers are putting that number in the caller ID. If you’re worried about what the caller says, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA. Even if the wait time is long, confirm with the real SSA before responding to one of these calls.
- Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.
If you get one of these calls, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Topics
February 22, 2020
This number just called the house phone 1-803-102-6158. Don't know who they're calling for and the message was cut off. I'd read out just said Unavailable. Message caught was that your social security has been suspended for suspicious activity, but they never gave a call back number. I know it's a Scam and I hope this helps unsuspecting people who are on SSI to Not answer these trolls who are looking for an easy pay day. Please be safe and don't fall for these creeps!
February 23, 2020
This is probably a burner phone (332-216-2414), but they keep trying to extort me saying that I owe them money. They called from here 332-216-2414
February 25, 2020
I keep getting calls from (425) 272-2681. This is the message they leave.. Transcription Beta... “Form you that there's a legal enforcement action __ filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings that is 425-272-2681 I repeat ..
February 25, 2020
Received this call on 1-551-226-7543. Went to voice mail - they keep calling back and leaving the recorded message. Blocking the number now.
February 25, 2020
Just received this voicemail.. “Received his phone call from our department is to inform you that there is legal enforcement action __ filed on your Social Security number for __________ ____ __ the days so when you get this message kindly call back at your earliest possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings that is 469-257-4541 I repeat 469-257-4541 thank you
March 04, 2020
one more scam number 1-844-210-9074
February 25, 2020
I keep getting calls from this number 470-437-4181 claiming that they are from the Social Security Administration investigation department. I don't know who these people are and why they are calling me.
February 25, 2020
Scammers called me today saying my DL and SS# were going to be blocked and this was a call to stop it. It’s all BS. Don’t fall for it.
February 25, 2020
2/25/2020- I received a call from a what sounded like a filipino case officer from the bureau of investigations by the name of Richard Benny. Badge # 02950240. He stated my SS# was going to be suspended and that I have been flagged for drug trafficking and money laundering in Mexico and Columbia. While I did not share personal information at all with the person, I took down all the information. He called from 207.725.0504. I then received a call from his "colleague"- from 202.475-7700. This second caller was trying to confirm that he was a legitimate government employee- by calling from the SSA #- so he hung up and called me back - 7 times! I did not answer.
February 25, 2020
Received one today from 470-437-4273
February 25, 2020
I received a call today. Since I rarely answer the phone, they left a voice mail indicating that I was involved in Fraud. They left a number for me to call. 916-378-8415. FYI, I will not be calling them back!
February 25, 2020
I got an automated call from 1-919-214-9751 said they were the department of social services and they were gonna Sue me if I didn't call back I'm pretty sure this is a scam I didn't call back
February 25, 2020
Got a call from 866-540-3117, saying that he is an officer William Gonzalez and his ID is SSA33663
February 25, 2020
“I know ___ notice from the Social Security administration this call is to inform you that your Social Security number has been suspected for criminal activities to get more information on this case please call us on our department number 857-214-7601 I repeat it 857-214-7601 thank you…”
Same message!! What a scam !!
February 25, 2020
844-777-7871, the company is Kensington Associates in Temecula. They said they were collecting on my Student Loan and to date they've received $416 from my account. They will not be getting a pharmacy from me tomorrow or in the best future.
February 25, 2020
I received a call from this number (800) 214-7341 who is pretending to be social security office. Saying I’d be arrested if I don’t call back
February 26, 2020
I keep getting warnings and calls from 1-833-750-6263. They keep saying that if I don't pay$6,800 they're going to charge me that amount for internet security! My old lab top isn't even worth that much money! This is the 3rd time they've called me now and I don't know what to do about it?
February 26, 2020
I received a call this morning. The lady had a Southern accent and her office was very loud. She wanted me to get a pen and paper to write down something but I immediately hang up.
February 26, 2020
I just got a call saying this call is from Social Security and you have given false information to us as well as your SS number, therefore we are suspending your funds unless you call us back immediately. If you don't call you will be arrested today for providing false info. The number they called me on is 1-888-898-5503. Of course I'm not falling for it, I know this is a scan.
February 26, 2020
CALLED FROM 218-416-7781
Left message to talk to Social Security officer
February 26, 2020
I just received a call from the number you had listed and they said they were calling from Apple. I called Apple and they said they do not call, they email. The person said there was suspicious financial activity from three states; Florida, Ohio and another one. He said his name was Justin Cooper and he was calling from Cupertino, California. Thankfully, I questioned him and he hung up. I then called Apple and they said some of their customers were getting calls like this.
February 26, 2020
The number was 1-800-148-3614
February 26, 2020
(210)903-5264 San Antonio TX is another number running this scam, saying the bank accounts are about to be seized.
February 26, 2020
The new scam. Now instead of a phone number for caller registers as restricted.
February 26, 2020
Got a call from 1-888-302-2305 it was an automated voice saying activity with my SS number was being used and that I needed to call them. I did and messed with them, they are a complete scam. These people are nothing but degenerates trying to steal peoples identities.
February 27, 2020
Call to mobile phone on 2/26/20 at 9:22 a.m., left voice message. Here’s the AT&T Transcript (Beta):
“This call is from Social Security administration this message is intended to contact you regarding fraudulent activities on their your Social Security number and then floors in the next next _____ ____ _____ ____ ____ ____ I was going to the rocks intending your serious attention ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial if you are just strange is our grand _______ federal criminal us and this is the final attempt to reach you to speak to an agent ______ back on 315-871-0764 I repeat 31587107640...”
Yes, that’s the exact transcript, complete with underlines when the transcription service could not decipher words.
February 27, 2020
what about this number, is it a legitimate ss office number 646 993 1167??
February 27, 2020
+1 (713) 324-6566
Houston, TX Is one number
February 27, 2020
I JUST got this call, but a ladies voice. same message. and the spoof of the SS phone number. I googled to see if the SSA would call me about misuse of card, and found this. Thanks for putting it up. It helped me identify a Scam right away!
February 27, 2020
Just received one of these calls. Call was from 210-960-1340 (San Antonio). It was a prerecorded message about my SS# being involved in suspicious activity. When I called the number back, I was connected to a foreign sounding gentleman who wanted to verify my information. I then told them I was uncomfortable providing this information and then hung up
February 27, 2020
I received a call today saying that my social security number have been used for illegal activity including money laundry and that the sheriff department was looking for me and they had to update the files to be in court in 3 hours. the number was 918 840 5541.
February 27, 2020
Just got this call 4 times from +1 (888) 294-7624. Last time I answered I told the guy I wasn’t calling for his scam. His response? Dude said “no I’m not going to stop calling you because I wanna f@&$ you. I really love your p@$$y” I informed him he should be ashamed of himself!
February 27, 2020
Got another one from Rome, ME 207-397-5141. "Fraudulent activity on my account - need to confirm identity with full name and last four of social security number" Told me his badge number was 6814, and a name I couldn't understand - with a thick Indian accent.
February 27, 2020
I got calls today 2/27/2020 saying this same thing.Calls came from Kensington, MD 240-221-5089. He claimed to be a Senior Social Security officer.
February 27, 2020
Received 2 phone calls from 646-993-1200 today. The calls were about an hour apart. The message says that my social security number has been found to be used in criminal activities and to call asap before they begin with legal proceedings. SMH...the robo/scam calls just need to stop.
February 27, 2020
Robocall scam!!! Do not answer! 1-800-020-9695
February 27, 2020
Just got three calls this am from TX 713-324-6511 saying my SS number is suspended please call Mari Gomez . Suspended due to some reasons. How original is this? I blocked this caller.
February 27, 2020
I have gotten this same SS Scam call from 496-676-5486 several times. Please be diligent and don to call these numbers back.
February 27, 2020
I just got a call says that my social security number was associated with fraud..... And I need to call back a soon is I get this message.... I call back they didn’t answer..... then they call back and didn’t say anything ..... I wish they would get this under control.....
February 28, 2020
Here is a new number to add to the list (406) 201-6529.
February 27, 2020
I got a call from 1-800-758-5109. Saying they are from Social Security, and that there’s been fraudulent activity, and to call that number back right away before they start legal proceedings.
February 27, 2020
I just got a call from 877 657 0519. It said the SSN was under federal investigation. This was their second attempt to call me and not responding would be seen as evading investigation (I think they called last night but it was too quiet to hear).
Anyhow, it happened at the worst moment, so I was not fully aware and gabe them my full name before I realized how absurd the claim is.
In addition to looking up the number online, I asked what crime my SSN was supposedly associated with and they could not.give an answer. Hopefully they don't get more sophisticated.
February 27, 2020
I need help
March 05, 2020
10:44 am on 02_28_20 from (916)-586-7919
Robo (female voice) stating I have legal claims against my social security number. I hung up. This reminded me of contacting my local FBI office back in 2004 about constant scam calls and they said they could not do anything as the caller was calling in from outside the US and routing their calls through a Las Vegas phone number. I said that really gave me secure feelings that after 9/11 they were admitting they had no way to stop incoming calls or tracing them?
February 28, 2020
Just got a robotic call, female voice telling me I was committing a crime with ss. I should call 470-437-4251
February 28, 2020
add 469-676-5508 to list of numbers calling about your social security number being suspended and and legal action taken. Received this call this morning .
February 28, 2020
I got a call saying there was suspicious activity on my Social Security number and if I didn’t call back it would be considered something like ignorant noncompliance basically saying I would get in trouble
The phone number was 361-287-6058
Skidmore, Tx
February 28, 2020
Had 7 calls from 916 545-2729 left 7 messages about going to suspend SS# within 2 hr span
February 28, 2020
I just received a voice mail from 1-888-798-8324 informing me that my SSN has been suspended because of money laundering and fraudulent activity and if I didn't call them back on "the number showing on my caller ID" an arrest warrant would be issued. The voice mail reiterated to CALL BACK ON THAT SAME NUMBER! Beware if this number shows up in your caller ID. It's not the SSA.
February 28, 2020
just got the same message from 805-516-8767