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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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Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
Hoosier
May 31, 2019
I just received two calls with the second one leaving a recorded message from SSA. The number was 512-871-0881
jess
May 31, 2019
Got one from ‭(402) 032-6583‬
P
May 31, 2019
Just received a call as well from Combine, Tx, said I was going to be arrrested. Used the name Kevin Jones and even gave a client badge number / called from 972/476-9963. Said my SS was used a drug case! And it would suspend my SS. Wow, scary people these days!
Not me
May 31, 2019
Call from 254-221-1008. Wanted my name and SSN. Person was on a cell phone. Offered me a fake job title. Told him to get lost
Ari
May 31, 2019
I received an automated call and voicemail today from Bowling Green, Missouri @‭(573) 213-4982‬ stating that my SSN is being immediately suspended due to suspicious activity. Beware of these scams!
received fake …
May 31, 2019
avoid 470-232-0630
Rford
May 31, 2019
Received a call from 800.068.1111 today. Didn't answer.
Mr Pogi
May 31, 2019
I just received a call saying that this is from the Social Security administration to inform you that your account has been suspend be we found some suspicious activity. be careful i called this number back 877-803-6075 and this number doesn't exist called my Verizon and asked them they said this is a scum. Again be careful if you received a call from that number hang up.
Peer
May 31, 2019
Received a call from 1-833- 341- 6625 asking for SSN
scam prevention
May 31, 2019
Received 2 calls and voicemails from them (never answered). Definitely matches this scammer regarding SSA. The number that showed up was consistent both times: +1 (877) 107-5042.
Tracey123
May 31, 2019
I was called from 573-215-4092 and did not pick up the call as I was suspicious of the number. It went to voice mail. It sounds like a computer speaking telling me my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity and for more information to press 1. I am on hold now with SS Fraud number 1800-269-0271 hoping it is indeed some kind of scam call to be reported to them. On hold close to twenty mins now. I guess busy time.
Chris
June 11, 2019

In reply to by Tracey123

I've been receiving 5 calls a day in clumps one after the other with the same message Tracey123 received left in a voicemail msg. All calls are from Boone, NC and I've blocked each one in turn. 828-865-5304, 5301, 5307, 5350. Some more than once if I didn't block them fast enough. They are slowing down, but still annoying. I don't respond to them and hope they will leave me alone. . . eventually.
Matt
May 31, 2019
People.... be apprised. The Social Security Administration will never call you. I just recieved a similar robocall regarding "number suspension". After the recording, I called the number back. 276-300-0138. The woman who answered was hostile at first, as she had received a call from my cell number, even though it wasn't me who had called her. "Asian guy" is who she described speaking with. Definitely not me... She was a victim of the same random robocall! Upon speaking with her in depth about our similar experiences, we both concluded that yes, this is a scam. An intricate, fraudulent scam. Also, the number I had called back that was in my caller ID was not the number I had reached. It was hers. Be wary, people. Never share your personal info, especially your SS #.
Terence
May 31, 2019
got a call from +1 443 687 7686. An automated(Robo Lady) voice told me that a case has been filed against my SSN and If I did not call the number they provided, my SSN would be suspended.
TRN95
May 31, 2019
Just got 4 calls in a row from 828.865 3020 and 3029. Robo call with the same “suspicious activity so your SS# is suspended, call now...” etc computer voice message. Obviously a scam but SSA requires the name of the scammer to report online. BEWARE!
lafm
May 31, 2019
Recvd a call from 219-525-7549 robocaller stating that my social security number was being used for fraudulent activity and if did not get back to them they will start legal proceedings. Sam of all scams!
Robot Callers
May 31, 2019
Got a call doing the same thing as all the others. Saying they suspend my Social Security number because of suspicious activity. The call came from Columbia, MO and is (573)214-4092.
Tb
May 31, 2019
‭Received a call from +1 (866) 791-9166‬ stating that my SSN was suspended and I would be arrested if I didn't press 1
StationGuyDon'…
May 31, 2019
How can we get credit cards when they demand your SSN? If you don't give it to them then you won't get a card....
Ruth
May 31, 2019
I just got the same call, three times! on 27-May-2019. All went to voice mail. The number was 858-788-1199.
Roxas38
May 31, 2019
I just received a voicemail from the number 908-305-9253 Saying they received information that there is suspicious activity with my social security number.
redsoxfan2004
June 01, 2019
Well, here is the scary thing: I called the legit ss phone number and spoke with a rep. That person helped make an appt at the nearest ss office, here in town, for a date a month in the future. The VERY NEXT DAY the phone scams started... three times a day, five days in a row... how in the world did a simple phone call with a legit rep get into the hands of the scammers immediately?.. I asked at the office during my meeting and the gal said scams are everywhere and they get complaints all the time. I understand that; what I don't get is how the fact that I called the legit number translated into scam calls seemingly overnight! Inside job or data breach or something else just as scary. Of course I did not return the calls, knew they don't contact by phone. Finally, the afternoon before my appt I got a call from a live person, 'Ron', asking me to call him at his 855 area code number so that he could assist me over the phone and save me a trip to the office. The very afternoon before my scheduled appt. How does this happen? How in the world did my scheduled appt get hacked? I have no answers to these questions and fear there may be none for us mere mortals.... IMHO, be cynical, be suspicious, exercise extreme caution and never give out personal information over the phone. NEVER!!!
The Hulk!!!
June 01, 2019
Just got a VM from a number in Bowling Green MO. 537-213-4955. VM stated my SS number was suspended due to suspicious activity. Becareful with your personal info gang, lots of shady low life people out there looking to make an easy dollar off good people!!!
Adarsh Kumar
June 03, 2019
Hi, I received a phone call ( 833-266-5263 ), saying I am calling from a LAW firm to inform you that your SSN has been reported for a fraudulent activity. Call us today before I proceed further for our LAW proceeding. Not sure how much truth this call be.
Solo B
June 03, 2019
Received this robot call from phone # 1-(234)-567-8900. Saying my social was being frozen immediately due to fraud and that I must hit 1 to talk with them. I did not proceed.
jAMIEk
June 03, 2019
I just got an automated robo call on my cell and it said basically same thing you were all saying above. That my SS# has been suspended due to suspicious activity and to press one for more information. The phone number mine came from was from North Carolina (828)865-3043. Needless to say, I hit delete and blocked THIS number. So freakin annoying!!!
T.Pace
June 03, 2019
I have received 5 calls this morning from the Social Security Administration stating my social security number has been linked to criminal activity. The number I am getting the calls from is: 720-669-1813. The caller is a robo-call, when I called back a gentleman answered and it sounded like he was at a call center there was a lot of chatter in the background. As soon as I refused to verify any of my information they hung up, waited about 30 min and called again.
Savarena
June 03, 2019
Just received a robot call with the scam, number is 1(800) 197 4213.
danirockasota
June 03, 2019
I got a call from a restricted number. I let it go to voicemail and it was a robocaller saying they are calling on behalf of the social security administration and that there is a warrant out for my arrest due to fraudulent activity with my social security number. It just said to press one to speak to an agent but never left a call back number.
pkat
June 03, 2019
Recieved voice mail on my cell phone from the Social Security Administration Office. They have a hold on my SS # due to suspected activity. 1-210-625-5304. Which is Bexar Count, San Antino, Texas. Suspect this is a scam.
divine900
June 03, 2019
I received a similar message coming from this number(702)588-5434. Please google any strange number first before calling back. Stay safe!
ScammedinSD
June 03, 2019
Just got a call from Tennessee 731-474-9202. Didn't pick up, so listened to voicemail saying my SS number was being suspended for suspicious usage and to press 1 for more info
tmac
June 03, 2019
Today I received 5 calls. I traced 2 to Nevada & 3 to CA. They leave recordings and state my SS has been suspended due to criminal reports. Do not answer or respond to these calls. If possible try to block the numbers. They surely will persist. Wonder if there is any way to stop them?
DEBFO1
June 03, 2019
I HAD ANOTHER CALL FROM COMMENWEALTH? TELLING ME ILLEGAL RECENT ACTIVITY HAD BEEN REPORTED AGAINST MY SS AND THEY NEED ME TO CALL THE TOLL FREE NUMBER.
Sjmom
June 03, 2019
Daily calls claiming my social has been suspended from 18000065213
Viniciac
June 03, 2019
8000055213 another number calling stating that due to suspicious activity something something about my social security number
Anonymous
June 03, 2019
I got a call also from these people when I called back it had noise in the background like he was in public he asked for the last four of my ssn but I said no. He said that the sheriff would be picking me up. I told him okay. And he hung up. This is the message I got: IMG _ 20 93. PNG
Flo
June 03, 2019
I just received a similar call from 888-632-4344. I searched online and this number has already been identified as a part of the scam described here.
HateScammers
June 04, 2019

In reply to by Flo

Just received a similar call from the Social Security Administration claiming legal action against “your” social security number due to fraudulent activity. The number they ask you to call back is 940-215-8416.
Tomlyn
June 03, 2019
My husband just received a call from 731-477-9402 (United States) with the same message- your social security number has been suspended. Click 1 to find out why, etc.
mimi
June 03, 2019
receive call from 866-728-1303. SSA scam. Said that my ss card would be suspended need to callback Did not call back. This in Texas (June 3 2019)
bsned
June 03, 2019
just got a call using 204=634-9503
Tinker
June 04, 2019
Here is another number to add to your list: 602-563-5792
Jackie
June 04, 2019
Call came from 361-355-4396/Texas.....Recording telling me my benefits had been compromised.
KEwin.
June 04, 2019
I received a call from 1(830) 431 9956 Boerne Tx, I let the call go to my voicemail and a female robot voice stated “SSA has filed a lawsuit against your name the local county sheriff are going to arrest you for serious allegations before this matter goes to the courthouse and we freeze your bank account and suspend your Social Security number and get you arrested for more information regarding this case you can call us. Make sure you give us a call back before you get arrested” Funny thing is I don’t live in TX and never been...
Sarah
August 13, 2019

In reply to by KEwin.

I have received a call from (806) 256-6780 stating, "...going to arrest you for serious allegations. Before this matter goes to the courthouse, and we freeze your bank account and your suspend social security number get you arrested. For more information regarding this case you can get back to us at (806) 256-6780.. ... make sure you get a call back before you get arrested".
SSSmith
June 04, 2019
1-800-071-5213 Avoid phone calls from this number
Darla
June 04, 2019
I received a call from 225-963-5715 and it was the automated voice and I hung up and called back and it was an actual voice answering the phone saying social security office may we help you and you know right there that this is a scam because they don't answer on the first ring at all and then the person got into an argument with me and said they didn't care if I called the police
MillerTime
June 04, 2019
I, just this morning, received a recording that said exactly what the scam call exampled recording said. Two red flags went of immediately. First the call came from Texas. The Texas SSA would have absolutely no reason to contact me at all, I don't live in that state. Second flag, calling them back on some bogus number and making sure I'm ready to give them the last 4 numbers of my SSN OR a warrant would be issued for my arrest. I couldn't hang up fast enough. The phone number that called me was: 281-549-2862 Beware of that number! Its a total scam.
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