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
August 25, 2020
Received a computer generated call on 8.24.20 stating my social security number was being used fraudulently and to press 1 to start the legal proceedings.
August 25, 2020
They just called me today (200-08-25) with the same message (robot voice)but different number 1 500 648 2009
August 25, 2020
Just got a call with score-recorded message that said SSA was filing a lawsuit against me. I hung up. Anyone else gotten one of these?
August 25, 2020
I received a call that went to VM and
a message was left saying my SS# had been compromised and was suspected of being involved in criminal activity in Texas.
August 25, 2020
I just got a call from 786 403 5511 a recorded message saying is from ssd
August 25, 2020
I just got the call from 713-529-7149 recorded voice saying my Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of it has been involved in a crime. It said there is an arrest warrant for me. I hung up immediately.
August 25, 2020
Just received a call from ‘Unassigned Unas’ using a Washington DC Number. 202-953-7226
These guys are getting smarter.
August 25, 2020
receive call from 1-361-600-2137 today from the "social security admin" claiming there was legal proceedings and garnishment pending.
August 25, 2020
Recently been receiving calls from 803-240-6130, stating that my ssn has been cancelled due to suspicious activity. Further states that if I want to speak with someone to press 1.
August 25, 2020
202-953-7161 This is a SS scam call. Sounds like a foreigner requesting that I call back because of suspicious activity on my SS account.
August 25, 2020
I received a call like this coming from a local number 1-386-316-4758.
August 25, 2020
Enough already! I have gotten so many calls from these numbers saying that my ss number has been breached. You would think with all the real life problems happening in this world, these people would have better things to do with their time. I will just keep continuing to block the numbers as they come in. Be aware of the following BS phone numbers with people who have nothing better to do than to bother people dealing with real-life issues. #631-359-8234, #301-611-5878 (three times today alone!), #301-243-8249, #631-937-4284 (also three times today alone!!), #631-316-9654 and #301-521-4745.
August 25, 2020
Just received 2 phone calls from number 202-953-7152, claiming to be Social Security Administration. Is this a SCAM?
August 25, 2020
Today i received a call from what sounded to be like men of indian descent from #(817)618-5403 talking all this jazz about there has been money laundering under my social security# and freezing my accounts , issuing a federal warrant etc....with names like Tony Parker and Josh Miner give me a break.
August 25, 2020
Some kind of threat about Social Security account being suspended. 571-348-9438
August 26, 2020
This morning I received a call from someone asking me are you ivette caballero is your number your last number I said it’s my name but it’s not my number what should I do the number they called was 9146500396
August 26, 2020
+1 (717) 403-9312 This number says there is illegal activity attached to my social number and I need to call back asap
August 26, 2020
Social security recorded message from 407.399.7265.
August 26, 2020
I know it's a scam, but I have been getting 3-5 calls a day for the last 3 days on my cell from the 631 area code with the identical pitch above. What can I do to stop this? I am an attorney working from home, which requires me to use my cell for certain tasks, and this keeps interrupting my work.
August 26, 2020
Called my number two days in a row claiming to be SSA. They called from an out of state number each time. I knew they were fraudulent. I told them I was going to report them.
August 26, 2020
They call multiple times and the telephone number keeps changing. It's fully automated. Just today and yesterday: 631 767 3539, 443 687 0463, 443 351 0946, 631 340 1616, 631 340 1616, 631 382 0016, 631 597 5504
August 26, 2020
Got a call today from Terre Haute IN 812-841-6861
August 26, 2020
Recvd call from "Jay Dawson" #6883(Indian accent) SS Admin case #BC7010 stating a TX Marshal's warrant #537542 had been issued for me for drugs/ money laundering. This made me laugh out loud, which angered him, but I couldn't stop
laughing, and he hung up on me.
August 26, 2020
I just received a call that my social security number was being suspended as of tomorrow I'm very terrified
August 26, 2020
Just received a call something about my social security had suspicious activity......called from 251 348 7134
August 27, 2020
7877628133
Another number from Puerto Rico
Be careful!
August 27, 2020
They are using phone number 210 888 9093 now.
August 27, 2020
Just got a call from 1 800 939 4293 telling me that I filed my taxes incorrectly and accused me of frauding the government. told me I'd be arrested and prosecuted if i hung up. well that line just gave him away.
August 27, 2020
They have been trying to contact me.. as soon as I answer they hang up, i was able to get trough one of them and told me that my ID was going to be deactivated.. i gave him a fake name and fake last 4 #'s of SS to see how much he will tell me.. he ended up giving me a confirmation number and an address that he didn't even know.. he said his name was officer David William and the address was building 6410 ( i didn't catch the name) in Baltimore, when I asked him about the stated he froze and didn't know what to answer saying he didn't know what i was talking about.. Most of the calls they will come from a number very similar to your own phone #.. everyone be careful!!
August 27, 2020
call from 208-464-0115. scamming!
August 27, 2020
Number from San Antonio, TX 210-591-8808...when called back and questioned, they hung up
August 27, 2020
I receive numerous calls from the phone numbers 561-628-9691, 561-628-1051, 561-628-3;67, 561-628-1608. All the callers leave the same voice message about SSN. Is there a way to catch the imposters and persecute them?
August 27, 2020
Have had this call Social Security scam call twice today. I blocked it the first time and it still got through! 1-609-788-3739. Woman's voice, Jessica Sanchez.
August 27, 2020
I have received at least 25 of these calls in the last 3 days all from different numbers. I filed a complaint for 1 of the numbers. I really hope they catch these people. If we can fly drones, listen in on calls, etc. shutting these people down should be no problem. The list of numbers is long!
561-964-3966
631-991-1393
631-991-6769
443-347-3740
631-505-3089
631-155-7535
631-605-1045
215-770-9224
631-388-7234
631-366-9502
631-754-1866
631-044-8963
631-703-6161
612-887-0508
August 27, 2020
Received 2 calls 1-520-851-8338 and 1-520-535-6642
Saying there's been suspicious activity and I will have FBI at my door to arrest me.
August 27, 2020
Just got a call like that from 650-203-8068
August 27, 2020
I received call from951-236-1316 today and they were saying that they calling from ssa and issued a warrant order.
August 27, 2020
Social Security Scam numbers used to attempt to scam me today:
469-521-1930
469-521-3055
August 28, 2020
I got a RECORDED/ROBOcall from a (202)953-7287 Washington DC, number claiming to be SSA and I needed to call them back because there was some fraudulent activity with my SS number. I’m positive it was a scam trying to get my SS number!
August 28, 2020
The people who have called with the same scam gave their names. Kevin More Albaca Texas. Lisa Hayes badge number 74185 Austin Texas. David Foster El Paso Texas badge number 52308F. The number that called me was 1-833-565-1200. Scam
August 28, 2020
I just got a voice recorded call saying it was a detective and that my social security number may be compromised,and to hit 1 to be connected to department detective,I hung up though
August 28, 2020
Today 8/28/20 at 14:53, I got a call from 817 747 5210 saying is Social Security Department of Security saying my SSN has been used for different transactions. I told the woman, I know your scam and stop to calling me so she hung up!
August 28, 2020
filled out form to report, SS link didn't work!
August 28, 2020
I get almost daily calls. I block the number and they call from a new number. Mostly they are 916-206-6741, 6699, 7167, 7117 and the list goes on
August 31, 2020
+1 (720) 679-0068 Just got a call from this number sounds like a fraud
August 31, 2020
I got this call from the number (385)200-4719. Be careful everyone!
August 31, 2020
Same. VM just now 202-773-1058
August 31, 2020
254-339-8739 claimed suspicious activity with my social number. This is a cell phone prefix.
August 31, 2020
Got same call just now. Asked for SSN supposedly from SS office. I told him if he is investigating fraud on my SSN he should already have it. He hung up on me. Lol
August 31, 2020
I get these calls several times per month. Always the same script. What I do is say, "Hello? Who is this? SSA? I'm...wait, I'm sorry. l will be right back. There's someone at my front door." Then leave the phone active until they get tired of waiting and they disconnect.