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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.

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Shopping and Donating
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Social Security Impersonators
Williamf
May 20, 2019
I got that same caller this morning Ntold them that they a fraud an ill report them
Katherine
May 20, 2019
I've been getting spammed by multiple numbers pretending to be from the Social Security. I have not picked up any of these calls but they all left the same exact voice message saying "Press 1, thank you. Your Social security has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Please press 1 for more information" I've blocked at least 4 numbers that are similar except for the last 2 digits. All the numbers (so far) start out as 888-815-17XX .
Opie
May 20, 2019
I keep getting calls this morning. They are 888-815-1728, 888-815-1711, 888-815-1704.
Shannon
May 20, 2019
I just got this above call from 866-278-3911. My Caller ID showed this number and the call back was this number but the message was almost the same as the above.
3 times TODAY
May 20, 2019
Three calls today from three different numbers, all a recording telling me the sane thing about my SSN: 1(888) 815-1723, 1(888) 815-1730, and 1(888) 815-1739
3 times TODAY
May 20, 2019
Three calls today from three different numbers, all a recording telling me the sane thing about my SSN: 1(888) 815-1723, 1(888) 815-1730, and 1(888) 815-1739
N
May 20, 2019
FYI. 1 888 815 1736 it been calling me, saying is from SSA and saying my social security has being cancel for suspicious activity
LC
May 20, 2019
Received a call from 1-888–815-1720 And a second call 1-888-815-1727 and a third from 1-888-815-1736 all saying their from the SSI office and my SS# was being used fraudulently. SSI does not call you for your number!
SKBROWN6
May 20, 2019
I received a call today at 12:56 pm EDT - it was recorded message saying there was suspicious activity and that my social security card was being cancelled. The call came from: 315-201-8405 Romulus, NY. The message advised me to call the same number. i am not going to call back . I will file a incident report with FTC, FBI and SSA .
Kat3
May 20, 2019
I received 2 calls today. Luckily I am great at spotting scams. +18888151745. Said my SSN was suspended and to press 1 to talk to a representative.
J. C. Los Angeles
May 20, 2019
I received 2 calls leaving the same message but from 2 different numbers. The message was that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity... numbers used were (888) 815-1733 and (888) 815-1737. The calls were 1 and a half hour apart.
Poppy
May 20, 2019
202-165-4825 received 3 of these from this number in a matter of 4 hours.
MickeyCat
May 20, 2019
I just received this - the number used was 800-899-5316. But my phone service marked it as BLOCKED - High Risk so it didn't even ring through. BUT, they left a message for me to reply
Babette
May 20, 2019
Just received 2 calls today, two numbers. 18778405742 as well as 18774059347, threatened by alleging to be arrested by law enforcement and suspected misuse of my ssa when they ask my name I said you called me so whats my name? They hung up. First give away was lack of proper English. I blocked the numbers and called the true ss office you guessed it! A scam. Thank God I watch the news.
SEATTLE
May 20, 2019
I've received a bunch of these from 888-815-1754 over the last few days.
MRL Targaryen
May 20, 2019
Just got a voicemail saying my SS# was suspended. Call was from Wisconsin. Phone # 262-235-2353. Beware people!
scamtired
May 20, 2019
‭+1 (262) 235-2553‬ Called today and stated that my ssn was being suspended. I had already been aware of this scam, so just ignored call and msg
Drnick155
May 20, 2019
1-888-815-1723/1732/1739/1754. Yup all of them. GRRRRRR
jbar
May 20, 2019
I have received several calls (which I have not answered) from 205-297-2739 , leaving a message that my social security has been suspended.
moozic8888
May 20, 2019
206-465-1797 same call today from above number
phartlock
May 20, 2019
Got one of these today. 646-974-0479.
mya123m
May 20, 2019
I got a call today around 3pm. an indian man answered after i pressed 1 to get more info about suspicious activity and my social security number being suspended. he asked for my name and social security number and sadly i have it to him. right after he hung up. i immediately realized that it was a scam. i’m just a college student in debt. i hope they don’t cause me anymore damage.
Rev
May 20, 2019
I just got one of these calls from Port Washington, WI. 262-235-2359
concerned citizen
May 20, 2019
Received same call twice within 3 hours today from 888-815-1759 and 888-815-1736
Rafucho
May 20, 2019
5 times , they called 5 times today, I blocked the first # and they called from a different one, I personally don’t answer calls if I don’t know the number that is calling, next time I will answer and have a little fun with them,
B.Young
May 20, 2019
Got a phone call/voicemail from dept of social security admin saying my social security was suspended due to suspicious activity and to call back. I chose not to call back because it sounded suspicious.
Jennifer from GA
May 20, 2019
‭I got two calls and two voicemails (within a 3hour time span) from +1 (202) 165-4825‬ earlier today; May 20, 2019, claiming that my social security number was suspended. (Included transcription of voicemail: “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…”) I almost called back, but my subconscious kept me from doing so, hinting a likely scam. Thankfully it was caught by Verizon’s call filter and blocked! I’m honestly glad I didn’t try to call back and find out who was on the other end of the line. I’m tired of being on the receiving end of these annoying scams, and hopefully by reporting another number on this website; this prevents someone else from falling victim to these deceptive people!
Jack R
May 21, 2019
I have received several calls saying my SSN has been “deactivated” from spam phone numbers such as +1 (202) 304-5061 and +1 (410) 381-0254. These numbers leave robo messages and On one occasion when I called back a foreign South Asian male voice asks for my SSN so I did not provide any info and hanged up!
Mrshawk
May 21, 2019
Received 2 calls this morning saying my ss number showed fraudulent activity and I spoke with someone they asked my name and ss number but I hung up the number was 18666477384 this is a scam number
Katherine
May 21, 2019
I just got a call from 1877 174 4213 - awful!
Em
May 21, 2019
Got a t call today at 11:24 am From a Texas number saying that my social security number had suspicious active and that there was a warrant out for my arrest! So I pushed 1 it took me to some guy trying to sound country but was clearly from India!!!! This WAS EXTREMELY ALARMING TO ME He then processed to tell me that he was looking for a Mary and that he had the wrong dam number hey america when the hell you gonna stop this crap from happening to us!! I will processes this as is and report it ! put really this made my heart STOP~! Very unsettling ! The Number i had from Texas 1-469-646-8469
melmcl
May 21, 2019
Same exact message but from a different number: 320-321-6038 Why can't anyone close them down?
TS
May 21, 2019
I just got a call that went to my voicemail. They said that my SS# had been compromised and has been suspended please hit 1 . call was from 781-328-2741.
Ladybug
May 21, 2019
Have been receiving calls saying this was Social Security calling and my number had been compromised. Call sounds threatening. I just hang up. So sick and tired of all these calls. If not Social Security than Medicare and they are nothing but scams. Why can't the FTC put a stop to these calls.
JD
May 21, 2019
I received a scam call from 918-203-5481 Oklahoma saying my social security number has been compromised and frozen...at that point I hung up. Tried to call the number back and it was disconnected. This is another scam.
fedup-with-scammers
May 21, 2019
I received a call every day, twice a day for 3 says now. they say there is fraudulent activity ageist my social security number and I should call then back before I get arrested. It's robotic voice. When is the government going to do something about this?? The number is 1-833-264-2916
Cartwright
May 21, 2019
Received an automated call just today pretending to be from the SS administration. Press 1 to speak tho the SSA officer. A person from across the pond with broken English threw out a fake SSA badge number. When I told her I do not believe her, she hung up on me. They called from 877-067-3933. This is a scam folks do not give out your SSN to anyone you do not trust entirely.
D
May 21, 2019
I got a call from 781-328-2297. The message was similar as the one above.
LOSTSUNSHINE
May 21, 2019
I just received a call from this #1-800-975-9658 that said my ss# had been used on 4 different occasions and that if I didn't call them back within 2 hours, I would be taken into Federal Custody. Is this REAL? Is this a scam?? I'm seriously rattled over this right now :( #imposter or #scam ???
Bri kansas
May 21, 2019
209 488-6888 Automated call every 20 minutes saying my social security number is being investigated by FBI. If I don’t call they will call police and GET me arrested. Well somebody has me arrested not gets me arrested. Listen for language barriers. Stuff that doesn’t sound right. This call is incessant
Joseph Doaques
May 21, 2019
I just LERRRVed this phone call. .... on my cell phone, of course. I didn't listen quietly. Couldn't help it. I gave an immediate, loud, obnoxious Eric Cartmann-esque horselaugh. I guess that they were listening in, as I didn't get to a second breath and the recorded message cut off mid-BlahBlahBlab.
SK
May 21, 2019
I received two calls this morning: 858-816-1518, 858-816-1521. I let them go to voice mail. The message from both were that the SS administration was suspending my account because of suspicious activity. I later called the numbers which were not in service.
SsdontDon't us…
May 21, 2019
Received a scam call today. Said my ssn was suspended and i was subject to legal proceedings. Gave me a 202 number to call back which i did not catch . I live in lake forest CA and the number that showed on my phone was 830-201-3607.
USACUSTOMER
May 21, 2019
Just got called second time in a week. The first call was 240-345-9725 the second number today was 781-344-2744. The accent on the phone appeared Asian/ Indian on first call. Multiple people talking in the background call center like. This last message started with a formal message stating "my social security number has been suspended click 1 if I want to hear details. I hung up and reported it here. Please add these phone numbers to the list. Hopefully, the FTC will find a way to protect people from being harassed and scammed. The ISPs should also be looking into this. If these are international callers there must be a way to block and track . The source. Maybe stricter phone number registration screening... not knowing how they are obtaining our phone numbers or the phone numbers they are using to commit fraud over state lines.
AspieSpark
September 14, 2020

In reply to by USACUSTOMER

Me too. A bunch of background noise and nobody answered. Were they trying to hack into my phone or something?
pamw63
May 21, 2019
They are using a private number now. They say you have suspicious activity on your account. And we have suspended your account. Called 3 times in one hour. No number shows up. They say press1. I did and they are from India.
Don't use your…
May 21, 2019
This afternoon (CHAD WILLIAMS SS SUPERVISOR) informed me that SS had mailed my (husband) and me a letter about an increase but we had not verified our SS # by not responding to the letter and the was the last day. WE WOULD NOT receive funds without verification . I kept questioning him because my husband has passed. He became angry and informed me that funds were no longer. To call 1800 772 1213. I GAVE NO INFO but did call SS.
Lululee
May 21, 2019
I just received a phone call from a maryland number 301-263-7427 and i listened to the voicemail. My social security number has been compromised and legal action is being taken. I called back and it went to voicemail of a really weird name. Not even minutes later I recieved a call from 833-268-3758 again, automated call saying my social had been compromised and legal action was going to be taken. I called right back and they hing up on me. I called agian and they answered. It was a foreign lady who wanted my first and last name and they could tell me what was filed under my name. I asked for her id number and she rambled one off. When i wouldnt give her my name and asked why it was a recording when they called the first time she had no answer. She got agitated with me and told me that my information would be given to the local police department and i could check with them. I called back again and a guy answered. They answer social security department...
Checri
May 21, 2019
Why isn't the government cracking down on the phone system? How is there such a huge security/technology flaw that scammers can spoof phone numbers? The citizens should be suing the phone companies and government for allowing these features to be abused and for all that money they've lost. What is the government doing to control this type of scamming? Can you help us understand how this type of stuff is even possible with the current systems and what is being done to correct them and track down the bad guys?I'm hopeful that this can be fixed. How much business hours and money are being lost for America because of these spam calls?
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