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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.

Search Terms
imposter
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
Joe B
May 16, 2019
Beware of 1-800-668-6718: Getting call on my Mobile and home number from 1-408-766-3906 with a recorded message in English and Spanish about All loans and Bank accounts related to my SSN, being suspended as of today and to call 1-800-668-6718.
PS in California
May 16, 2019
Received 2 more calls today within an hour of each other. Same message as before but from different numbers: 1-888-815-1351 and 1-888-815-1345.
NS
May 16, 2019
I am getting calls every 3 Hours, I am blocking them but they keep calling: 1.888. 815.1353 1.888. 815.1347 1.888.815.1322
Ally
May 16, 2019
I keep on receiving calls and voicemails that sound just like the one stated above. There is a 1 (888) 815-1504 and numerous other 1 (888) numbers several minutes after. Definitely blocking ALL.
NR
May 16, 2019
I got a call of these number 888-815-1278, 888-815-1285, 888-815-1299 yesterday and it said that they will hold back my social security card because of suspicious activity. They call me every 2 hrs today using these number 888-815-1345, 888-815-1501 but i didn’t answer this time so i blocked all of it. I just want to let everyone to be more careful because they are a lot of bad people out there who like to abuse us for their own interest.
Godzilla
May 16, 2019
i recieved a call saying that he is from SSA. telling me to contact him. His number is 1855-511-9222. is this a legit number of SSA?
djkomisar
May 17, 2019
Just got one of these calls from 200-635-2671. I hung up, figured it was a scam. Scary to see how pervasive it is.
John lee
May 17, 2019
Got a call from 518-457-6811, number belong to NYS police academy. Person say I'm under investigation due to my identity got stolen. Someone used my ID to rent car and opened up bank account in Texas. Found bunch cocaine and cash in a Texas house. I called the number which is belong to NYS police academy, person on phone confirmed it's scam.
Cormsbee
May 17, 2019
Same scam different number, this time it was 833-264-2916 and again 5 minutes later from 800-068-1111
Kauaigirl
May 17, 2019
Just received 2 of these calls back to back.
Florida resident
May 17, 2019
I just got one of these calls from 315 201-8405 in New York. Thanks for staying on thie FTC!
ihot01
May 17, 2019
I got a call from (888) 815-1548 to a phone number I seldom give to anyone else, not even Social Security Service. So it's probably a scam as the number they called is a google voice number that I give out to salesmen and craigslist.
Dave
May 17, 2019
It seems I receive at least one scam call per week. And the caller typically has a heavy India accent. But don't worry, help is on the way. FTC along with the phone companies will soon be able to prevent caller ID spoofing. I just hope they hurry it up.
Annoyed_in_Texas
May 17, 2019
Just got 2 robocalls from 410-226-3059 (Oxford, MD) within an hour saying my SSN# is compromised and call to speak with an investigating officer. Total scam. Ignore immediately.
SBLKS
May 17, 2019
Two calls within 10 minutes of each other. 747-231-2620. Automated message with a guy's voice saying he's from the SS office (Federal Batch ID # ss9165). If they keep calling I'm going to answer and if I get a real person the first thing I'm going to say is that I'm recording the conversation with an officer of the law present and ask for their information. Doubt they'll keep calling me after that.
Miranda
May 17, 2019
Got a call from this New York number this morning +1 (646) 969-0517‬. Left a voicemail saying “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…” I just blocked the number
Bigdove2
May 17, 2019
Just received a call (into my voicemail) from Dunkirk, NY saying suspicious activity was linked to my account and my social security number was being suspended. I was told to push 1 to investigate matter further. This also was a robotic call with all originating from 1 (716) 413-0442.
Beca
May 17, 2019
Received two calls from 888..815.1553 this morning with the message below. Have blocked the number now. “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…
Zshn
May 17, 2019
Received lady voice on May 15th and May 11th, 2019, calling from supposedly 205-067-5601 telling me that my social security number has been suspended and that all SS benefits will be affected and i need to call or press 1 for immediate connection to representative.
Jon
May 17, 2019
Just received two calls saying the same thing from (888) 815-1553 and (888) 815-1558. Both with the same message as others.
16Senior2065
May 17, 2019
I have just received a series of 5 calls, on my cell phone from numbers 888.815.552, 888.815.1559 and 888.815.1561. The VM says: my SS# has been breached and is being used by someone. They tell me to "press 1" for help. This is very suspicious. I just tried to call the official SSA phone number but their lines are all busy and I am being asked to call back. I hope that everyone is reporting this to SS.
AJ
May 17, 2019
I had 4 missed calls and 4 voicemails (all the same robocall message) from +1 (888) 815-1552 within an hour. I already knew it was a scam because my phone registered the number as Scam Likely.
jackbean
August 29, 2019

In reply to by AJ

I think the SS Department should send out a Mass Mailing GIVING THESE EXAMPLES. And most important Recomend after a scam call to Police & FTC. AND advise all who get SS that if they want to contact will be by mail with specific Instructions How to reach SS VIA MAIL. @ HEAD QUARTERS
carli
May 17, 2019
So my mom got this call today and before I could tell her to hang up she gave them her last 4. What should I have her do?
Victim of spam
May 17, 2019
Got three calls this morning saying from SSA threatening: 888 815-1560 888 815-1558 888 815-1553 I am senior citizen in Hawaii. Hope this helps put an end to all this useless malicious confusion.
gv
May 17, 2019
I got 5 phone calls this morning and early afternoon from the following numbers: 1-888-815-1521 at 9:00 AM; 1-888-815-1540 at 10:23 AM; 1-888-815-1544 at 11:09 AM; 1-888-815-1554 at 12:35 PM; and 1-888-815-1562 at 2:18 PM re: "Your SSN is being suspended". Scammers put a lot of effort and persistency to reach out to their victims. It should be stopped.
Nam1963
May 17, 2019
I just received a call from this number888 814 1570 claiming to be Social Security is a robocall with incorrect grammar who could possibly think this is real it said it was suspending my number and was getting me arrested the real Social Security doesn't say that they won't threaten you over the phone
PortlandOregon woman
May 17, 2019
Yes I just got a call from 844 898-2289 saying my SSN has been suspended and to press 1 for more info. I did not press 1 as I assumed it was a scam. I am writing this to help others recognize the scam.
Luisa Davila
May 17, 2019
Received voice message from this 957-070-4762 stating that they noticed suspicious activity on my SS to press 1. I did not call
Wendy
May 17, 2019
I got a call saying there is suspicious activity on my account and it's been suspended. I saved the message. It's a recording. They told me to press one. Then I noticed it's not a full number. It was one number short. It doesn't make sense to me. Why would they do this except knowing it's upsetting.
Mnystrom
May 18, 2019
Just got a voicemail stating my ssn was being used by someone else and they have to suspend my ssn until I got to call them back . I’m just going on gut but Scam I think.
Kimberly
May 18, 2019
Just missed a call and listened to the voicemal....same scam. New York # 716-411-0552.
Shoffland
May 18, 2019
May 18, 2019 Hi, I just received a call from 716 413 0595. They left a message: 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. 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.
Jill
May 18, 2019
I got a voicemail with no call back number the recording says to push 1 to hear more about the case. Luckily caller ID showed a New York number and I knew social security numbers cant be frozen like that. Fraud alert doesnt doesnt freeze your number.
S
May 18, 2019
the scammer called me with unknown caller id. i answered it thinking it was my friend prank calling me, but ended up hearing a robotic male voice saying that my SSN would be canceled due to suspicious activity and told me to press 1 to go further. I hung up but now i'm just paranoid.
Christine F.
May 18, 2019
I received this exact voice mail message today 5/18/19 from 716-413-0599. I deleted the message.
Real4me!
May 18, 2019
I just received a call from ‭+1 (646) 889-9235‬, they left a VM stating my social security number is being suspended due to suspicious activity. They ask for me to return the call and state the last 4 numbers of my social.
Edward from Phoenix
May 18, 2019
05/18/19 I just got a call from (716) 413-0596. I did not answer the call but listened to the voice mail they left. It was no doubt a robo call, the recording said: "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." Obvious scam, NEVER GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE, IF OU DON'T RECOGNIZE THE NUMBER DON'T ANSWER IT.
Mrs.Corzo
May 18, 2019
I got a call like this a few seconds ago, told me my SSN is suspended due to suspicious activity said for my to press one to find out more information for the federal claim filed on my SSN I pressed one and then a Male with an Indian accent started speaking to me asking for my # and address. I laughed and hung up. Their number is +1(914)230-6531 New York
abh
May 18, 2019
Same here, received the call on May 17th. Social security please take an action as it looks like the problem is infesting at alarming rate in 2019.
D
May 19, 2019
got a call from 877 452 -9170 stating that was going to be charged in county of san bernardino and they would be calling my job becareful. i got so scared made a payment looked up the number on google got scamned was the worse feeling in my life my blood pressure when up was very nervous. becareful and dont give your information out.
Grateful11
May 19, 2019
Thank you so much! I was so scared!
Sharkley
May 19, 2019
I got one of these while at the grocery store I said I am busy,he said my SS number was compromised and they were going to close my account..I knew it was a scam so when I got home I loaded up an Arnold Swarzenegger sound board and called him back and it was hilarious..then I called back with a Dr. Phil soundboard, and kept calling back over and over and to top it off I called as Mister Rogers and he would just hang up..What an idiot..I laughed so hard..
San.
May 20, 2019
Received a phone call today from 877-803-6029 . Person calling introduced himself as Daniel Davis Badge#417J2537 from Social Security Administration. Told me that I have multiple claims on my social security number and that it has been suspended. Obviously this phone call was a scam.
mncstock
May 20, 2019
415-630-4055 has called me three times with a similar recording caller id says it is a California number. I called the number and after a weird blipping sound, I was connected to a male with a non-English accent. I hung up.
STL CALL
May 20, 2019
888-815-1715 left me the exact same voicemail.
Jeanmatt
May 20, 2019
2622352543 This number is ones of those scam numbers BEWARE !! THE SECOND the guy came on the one and I questioned what this was .. but in a doubtful athoritove tone he hung up. Can't call it back it says busy ! I can't think why someone would fall for this but don't soc sec will send you an official letter and will never demand your info .. if your doubtful look up the state socail security number and just call them . If you are having issues .. they will certainly know ..
Anthony
May 20, 2019
I've been getting calls from 1-385-367- 0433 and her name is amber it's very annoying because I blocked the number but they keep getting through
PAS
May 20, 2019
Just received a call from 888 815 1720 on my work cell. Call was a robotic male voice stating my SSN had been suspended and to press 1 now for more info on this case. Did not refer to my name or anything personal, very generic. Just hung up.
Barney
May 20, 2019
Scam Ss call 888-815-1722 Recording says to call them back your Ss account is suspended!! Fake call blocked it
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