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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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Social Security Impersonators
Acouturier
July 08, 2019
I just received a call from (646)594-3974 The recording was very simular to the example. Googled and this link popped up. Thanks for informing the public!
Scammed1
July 08, 2019
I got this message today as well.
AngelaIrene40
July 08, 2019
I have finally received one of these calls. Except it was from 1(646)594-3974. Funny thing is, they didn't call my actual phone number. They called my TextNow number! LOL!
Just me
July 08, 2019
I just listened to a voicemail I received saying that my ss# was being suspended due to fraudulent activity. The first thing I did was look on line to see if there were any scams going on. Even though I know I’m good and doing nothing illegal, it still sends a little worry into the pit of your stomach until you figure it out. Just like if a cop is driving behind you and you know you’re not speeding or doing anything illegal. Glad I found this page right away!
Annoyed
July 09, 2019
My Son got this on his phone a few days ago,caller ID was Unknown.He of course knew it was a robo call scam. Then today I got a call on my LandLine from a MaryLand SS office they claimed. I called back using a different # from a App. Was a Indian women. Phone # first was 833 323 0343 When asked my name I gave them the fake Name 'Dale Gribble' from show King of the Hill. After a moment I said "Why is a SS office from several states over calling me? Ive already read this is a scam Lady, My Local SS would send me a letter to call them,Not call and threat of warrents,Jail etc" She then started acting like she couldnt hear me then hung up. They called and about 3x leaving a robocall each time. This is beyond Annoying.
Chuck
July 09, 2019
I just received a phone call yesterday afternoon around 3:30 it came up as a Texas number 512 861-2354 they told me to call them right away or an arrest warrant would be issued it was an automated robot call so just for fun I called them back and said this is not the Social Security office and they hung up.
Dared
July 09, 2019
I'm getting repeated calls for the same scam, back to back, over multiple days. The number changes every time. Typically they come in bursts of 5 in very short succession, and they always leave a message. Same garbled recording about my SSN being deactivated. There MUST be a way to get these to stop.
CSx4Don't use …
July 09, 2019
I just received a call saying my SSS is being suspended due to a suspicious activity from a 281 area code number. Glad I checked with this website first.
rcjnsz6
July 09, 2019
I just got a call that came up on my caller ID as Pinnacle Diamonds. I’ve gone to a doctors before that was pinnacle. I let it go to voicemail and an automated thing said to call1-800-498-6192 or legal action would proceed against me. My husband called the number back and the person that answered said they were from social security and had a very thick accent.
Dave D. San Diego
July 09, 2019
Just received my second call in two days showing CLI # 888 574 252. Slight variation in the reported text. Message ends with "Press 1 to get more details".
E Wehrle
July 09, 2019
I receive this call at least twice weekly! Please stop them !!!
Tammy
July 09, 2019
I received the same call just today 12:20PM. I am grateful to have found this page and I heard exactly the same thing from that scammer's prerecorded voice message. The number is 347-410-9414 so please beware! I blocked the number. I also changed my contact numbers when I moved to NYC. Apparently, the former owner of number assigned to me had a lot of issues in the past that I get calls from the court house, police station, credit card companies, child services. It sucks that these cellphone companies recycle old numbers! I wish there was a law not allowing that! Or a regulation to screen numbers before they are given to new subscribers.
GeneS
July 09, 2019
Just got the phone call and voice mail from 725319449 scam SSA
Roy M.
July 09, 2019
This morning I keep getting calls from the number 618-424-4305, Stating the following information: “ The nature behind this call is to inform you about a suspension Notice we have received against your Social Security number, by the federal crime and investigation department. We need to talk to you as soon as possible. Again this call Is from social security administration. Number to reach department is 618-424-4305 “. So I did call the number a few times and told them to stop calling me and I accuse them of being fraudulent and illegal and they would just hang up on me. I then called back one more time to ask them what they thought they had against my Social Security number. The guy I talk to was definitely from India and said his name was Connor Smith and his agent number Number was IRC 405762. So I actually talk to this guy and he requested my name which I had no problem giving him that then he wanted my Social Security number and my birthdate. I said you should already have my Social Security number since you know it has been used. I said I’ll give you the last four digits and he said that was not good enough. I asked to speak to his supervisor and conveniently the supervisor was in a meeting. They just called me again while typing in this comment. So beware because they are liars and I seriously doubt there is an Indian they just called me again while typing in this comment. So beware because they are liars and I seriously doubt there is an Guy with the India accent, With the name Connor Smith. What a crock!
Janice in Cali…
July 09, 2019
I just received a call on my cell phone! Same scam. Here’s the iPhone transcript. The caller ID number was 844-143-4325 “...this call is from the Department of Social Security administration and the reason you have received a 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…”
annoyed
July 09, 2019
I received a call from Houston,TX 346-285-7617 saying that they were the SSA claiming that there are legal allegations made in my name and the local police department.
psg
July 09, 2019
just received4 scam calls saying my ss# was suspended. This is funny because the last number of the phone number calling is left off. be careful out there. This scam is not funny. Had the same scam from irs saying a federal warrant was being delivered to my house. this was first of the year when govt. was shut down including the federal court systems. be careful. These scam numbers I received today all started with 1-864. definitely robo callers.
Call a scammer
July 09, 2019
I was just called by 855-281-7147 This is me filing a complaint. I have not been scammed as I know that Federal Governments DO NOT CALL they write only when it comes to first contact. Or they simple arrive at your location. Feel free to call above number and mess with these people and jam up there lines so they get no where. Have fun with a scammer.
K-M
July 09, 2019
Received 3 calls in the last 24 hours. All went to VM and they all did threaten to suspend my SS benefits permanently. I filed FTC report. 2 calls came in as unknown caller and one came in as from 800 409 7325
noreallywhatsy…
July 09, 2019
I have been getting these calls for months and just ignored the calls. Finally answered today, the guy asked for my full name. I said before I give you that information, can you please verify that you are actually the SSA? He hung up. Good luck scammers. Its the elderly I worry about. This needs to be on the prime time news!
Meincolumbus
July 09, 2019
So I just got this call about my SS being at risk. It sounded quite suspicious, so I said, “This sounds like a scam,” and the person hung up faster than a New York minute. It’s a shame that these groups are stealing money from older people. Vengeance is the Lord’s and He will pay these people back for their terrible deeds. If not in this life, then in the next.
Someguy
July 09, 2019
Watch out for this number also: 510-322-2295
Amy
July 09, 2019
Rec'd a call 8 times in a row on my cell saying my SS number was used in criminal activity in Texas and to call ASAP 1-213-262-2986. This is a scam not only did he threaten me. He said if I didn't pay $ 1500.00 today he was going to process the papers to have an arrest warrant issued. I cracked up laughing and I pretended to be scared and gave him a fake name. He gave a fake chuckle and confirmed he found my record and he was going to issue the arrest warrant. I said good luck :)
D7777777
July 09, 2019
Phone numbers (765) 002-1669, (765) 073-7364 and (765) 066-2567 are calling my phone number non stop leaving the same voicemail about my SSN being suspended. These numbers cannot be called back because I tried too, be careful of these scammers. Don't believe anything!!!
John
July 09, 2019
This has happend to me 5 times just this morning. 5 calls from different numbers.
jd1234
July 09, 2019
Just received a call from what they said was the SSA regarding my social being compromised and linked to criminal activities! The number was (817) 252-4871. I did not provide the information she wanted and she threatened saying that the police and raid squad would be here within 20 minutes and to cooperate with them. I hung up. Be Aware!!!!!
ubilin
July 09, 2019
I just got the call about my SSN being suspended/ deactivated due to fraud. 1 (816) 973-714 was the number that came up on the caller ID. It was a robocall asking for me to press 1.
Kia
July 09, 2019
Got a call from 1-877-271-6275 saying my San was being suspended. Call number back and lady had an Indian accent started naming reason that why as to why it as being suspended asked me th verify my San number to stop it from happening.
Kentucky girl
July 09, 2019
Just got one today..said my socail security number was reported suspious activity..it was a robot..and the number was 8332230343..has anyone else got a call from that number
Mykee
July 09, 2019
I got scam today by an unknown number saying I got a warrant arrest from social security. I talk to a guy after pressing one. He has a very thick Indian accent. That should have been the first clue but because I was more interested in what warrant it was even though I was having second thoughts about giving my ssn to the guy. Of course I did give him my ssn. Which he told me I have illegal drugs and guns in Texas. Which I never been to Texas. That's when i realize I've been scam and now this dude has my ssn. I started asking why they didn't mail me a letter about it or call me to tell me about it. And why is it that I have to call them just to ask about it. He made up some story of them being busy. So i ask for his phone number, which took him 5 mins to give me. Then I ask for his address to get to him so I can met up with him. I wasn't surprised when he hung up. I was more upset with myself because I should have known. Social security never calls you and block there number and they never have a voice machine talk to you. And they never ask for your ssn just to verify you when they are the ones calling you.
carski
July 09, 2019
I have received 2 of these calls this afternoon on my cell phone. the numbers they are coming from are 800-826-1720 and 800-888-7065.
dont-scam-me
July 22, 2019
Received this scam call twice today 7-9-19
Anonymous
July 09, 2019
7/9/19 - SCAM CALL Just, received a call on my cell phone threatening that my social security number was being shut down unless I spoke to a representative. The caller ID is (800) 084-9213
afkbrbftl
July 09, 2019
Received calls from the following numbers (4 todaY already, the rest over the past 48 hours) with the same message about the suspicious activity: 800-000-9812 800-715-9805 800-040-8659 607-357-2274 message from different robot voice with the option to press 1 to speak to a representative after. 800-606-3143 607-357-2274 message from different robot voice with the option to press 1 to speak to a representative after. I have never received so many scam calls in a few days and it's starting to become alarming.
Annoyed
July 09, 2019
I let all numbers I'm unfamiliar with go to voicemail as I suspect most of them are scams. The past 2 days I've gotten 2 calls from 800- numbers (texas) and they both left automated voicemails saying "kindly press one, press one to know about your legal case". Although I was nervous at first, I never pressed any numbers nor called the numbers back because i realized the likely hood of it being a real issue concerning legal prosecution is very slim because authorities will more likely contact you through mail or in person than over an automated voicemail. For backgrounds sake, I'm 16, and I'm concerned that if people my age or younger receive these calls, theyll be naive and comply, which can result in heavy losses. Me and my family are on the no-call list but as the calls are from scammers they cant exactly be stopped. The best thing to do is to not pick up, or if you must, never speak! Scammers record phone calls in search of key words such as: -yes -accept -will -comply etc, to piece together a false compliance on your part for their scam. And dont call back or press and numbers requested! This only verifies that your number is an available working one, and theyll only attack again. Just block the numbers!
unknown
July 09, 2019
602-536-5232 scammer, comes up phoenix az
Got A Call in …
July 09, 2019
The number was: 347-410-9438. Same as everyone else has stated pretty much. Suspicious activity noted on my Soc Sec account. They have suspended my account. Bla bla. I should call back to discuss. The voice mail message was not accented but did sound like one of these programmable electronic voices that mimics natural speech.
Tman
July 09, 2019
I recieved a call that was almost the same let it go to voicemail and I then called back the number that it was called from guess what I got gieco Insurance ,nice they were very surprised
Morehead City
July 10, 2019
I just received this same call from 336-502-2200 . They left a voicemail Saying ' a court order is being filed to suspend all activity with my social security number.... to call 844-340-8141'...
North Carolina
July 10, 2019
7-10-19 I received a recorded call from 310-844-7544 (California) claiming to be from the SSA. They directed me to contact them at the listed number ASAP with my Attorney for fraudulent activities before I am arrested. When I called the number back to see if someone would answer, a foreigner answered and he also sounded like he was from India. I hung up and blocked the number - didn't bother to have a conversation.
Krish
July 10, 2019
Just got the call from 800-056-1299 regarding SSN will be suspended and prompted to press 1 if we want to resume. Hope this will help others to have this number in spam list.
Krish
July 10, 2019
Just got the call from 800-056-1299 regarding SSN will be suspended and prompted to press 1 if we want to resume. Hope this will help others to have this number in spam list.
klyn
July 10, 2019
Received call from 800-858-6174 about SSN and benefits being suspended.
LuvMyPugs
July 10, 2019
Hi, I just received an automatic call like the ones you are talking about from 518-735-3639 the area code is from NY,NY area and I live in CA. I called it back and a man answered Social Security Office how can I help you? I hung up the phone. Then I called it back and another man answered with a different voice and just said hello. Very disturbing .
AGUY
July 10, 2019
I got a call from Rwanda
Lorilg05
July 10, 2019
I received 8 calls this morning all from different numbers but starting out as 844. I only answered the very last one and I heard the same message about my SS. When it said to press one to talk to someone they hung up. Now I am worried that just by pressing one maybe I just opened the door to them accessing stuff from my phone. Is that possible?
Criticon
July 10, 2019
Caller ID info: +242 296244 Congo - Brazzaville. Voice mail message (in a monotone): "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 (sic) your social security number because we found some suspicious activity. So if you want to know about this case just press 1 thank you."
Guy
July 10, 2019
Started getting calls today from the Bahamas. I had hoped I won a free trip, but sadly no. It was this same scam. The numbers were; - 242-376-7824 - 242-141-7035 - 242-596-1640 - 242-812-2989
Argh
July 10, 2019
July 10 2019 I just received at call from 4109418125 and from Maryland it was a recording state they was going to suspend my benefits do to fraudulent activitys on my soc. Sec. Number press 1 I press one and it disconnected me
Friendly Advisor
October 13, 2020

In reply to by Argh

Never do anything they ask you to do, such as press a number on your phone or return their call, etc. Best thing to do is -Simply hang up the phone.
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