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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
Jester66
July 16, 2019
They called me from 1-866-115-2871 and said they needed my SSN due to a fraud alert. I did not give them any info, I stated you tell me and I'll let you know if your wrong (I wasn't going to tell him if he was right). He told me I had to tell him, I told him to get lost and he stated then there would be a warrant for my arrest. I laughed at him, gave him my area code (Mew Mexico is a big state) and told him to come and arrest me. He didn't know what to say!
reach2amita
July 16, 2019
Yesterday evening I got a call from some office that my SIN no. has been blocked. I called back on that no. 2267806318 and a guy took the call who claimed to be senior officer Crime Investigation Deptt.and advised that my SIN no s involved in drug smuggling n all.... He also gave me case no., his name and batch id. Initially i got scared but later while I continued talking to him he didnt seem to be authentic and also unprofessional. He asked my SIN no. to check on his system but i disconnected. I then called Service Canada office but they said to report it to anti fraud deptt. He was a scammer
Me
July 16, 2019
July 16 2019. Recvd a call three times today from 706-986-0846 with the same exact message. Legal enforcement was investigating due to ss# Fraudulent activities, and before I get arrested or court charges are filed to call. First I let it go to voice mail then blocked # 2nd I just had my credit report pulled nothing suspicious, and I dont do credit cards. And I would hope people would actually pull their own reports, call the bank and ss office prior to an unexpected call. Because guess what??? The government is not going to call you. They might send you a letter and tell you call them or go to office. Bit they dont call
Ben
July 16, 2019
What specifically is the FTC doing to prevent this? I’ve gotten 4 calls from this scam in the last 2 days, though not fooled I’m irritated nothing appears to be getting done about on this notice, just: don’t fall for it.
Jennifer
July 16, 2019
I just received today (July 16th 2019) a call from +1(800)855-8586 didn’t answer so they left a message and it sounded like someone was typing the sentences and Siri (American Male version) was reading it, i got scared and the first thing I did was google the number thank god i did and didn’t call them back and was able to block the number.
Liberti
July 16, 2019
We came home from town today and had 2 phone calls in row same thing claiming they were from Social Security Administration Legal law enforcement and that action was being taken against us for Social security fraud and we would be arrested if we did not return the call to 646-9669-3191 Which is out of New York. We got a call at 1:27 and another at 2:23. We did not call them back and we reported the call to the FCC immediately. Big lying scammers.
SICK & TIRED
July 16, 2019
Have had 5 calls in 3 hours on my cell phone from 866-887-8997 saying they were calling to let me know that my SSN was going to be suspended due to illegal or suspicious activity associated with it. I really feel like calling them back every 2 minutes to see how they like being bothered by a ringing phone!!!
East Coast
July 16, 2019
I got one of these calls today and they left a voice message as I was at work. I checked and it told me that my SSN was going to be suspended by the Commonwealth. The recording was a female and it sounded like it was pieced together. The call came from 1-866-991-7360. There was no other information other then to call back ASAP.
m95domsmama
July 17, 2019
So for the WHOLE last month or TWO I have been receiving a phone call from ‭+1 (480) 787-2320‬ an arizona number. Please keep reading because I actually called back. But for NOW, my phone marks it as Scam Likely, but curious, i listened to the voicemail: Which we want you or your retained attorney of record to return the call the issue at hand is extremely time sensitive the number for you to call the SSA back is 480-787-2320 the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ and for you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 480787-23200 thank you…” THEN I called back as a scared college student. And behold, the person answering did NOT have an accent. I said hi, i got a missed call from you guys. HE asked me when and I said at 2:30pm California Time and he asks me to PROVIDE my social security number. I said sorry, I am driving and will call you back.
Jody
July 17, 2019
I got a call from 800-568-6973, I didn't answer and they left a robo voicemail saying my SSN had been suspended due to suspicious activity , press one to confirm....
Jan
July 17, 2019
Surprise! Surprise! Another Social Security scam call. They must have given out a new book of numbers to call. I received 4 calls yesterday and 1 already today ( and it’s not even 10 AM. ) All telling me my social security number had been suspended for suspicious activity. 2 calls showed New Jersey and other 3 just said United States. Goggled numbers and 3 showed India.
Nic
July 17, 2019
Latest SSA scam number 800-117-8133. They keep trying by using different numbers.
Robert
July 17, 2019
800-013-1113, 800-073-9540, 800-389-0318 Call saying I need to contact them that someone is using my social security number.
3515
July 17, 2019
I received a call with a recorded message that my Social Security benefits were compromised and suspended. To speak with someone I had to press a number. I did and "Mr. Chin" asked me to give him the last 4 digits of my social. I questioned him becuase the number that appeared on my cell was a digit short. He was obvously Asian as I could barely make out anything that he was sayng. He said that he would call me from the office number since the number that appeared on my cell was a digit short. While still on the line, another call came in from 855-677-1646. He told me to google the number, answer the incoming call to verify it was coming from a SS office in Maryland. The number to the Maryland office is LEGIT but something is still not right here.
MDiaz10
July 17, 2019
Just received three calls. 310-857-6809 940-539-4250 Spam Spam Spam
BIBOP
July 17, 2019
I just received a call claiming to be from social security benifits. The number was 281-573-0472. The individual claimed to be an officer for Social security. They had a pronounced middle eastern accent. They asked for the last 4 digits of my SS#. I told them I would not give it to them and they kept on insisting. I told them they could have my date of birth and I was not comfortable giving that information out. They hung up on me when I told the woman there are to many scams.
Annie
July 17, 2019
717-820-4050. I got a call from this number stating that they noted some suspicious activities with my number. It sounded almost real. But it is not the same message but it is the same idea.
the joker
July 17, 2019
i received the ssa cal from 646-963-1071. What I do on a weekly basis lately is tell them my number starts with a 9....this means you cant work legally but can file taxes. Or I tell them uuuh i no have a number im illegal...they hang up and the calls stop for about 3 months then start back up. Then I got and indian man I asked him for his name and ID number, I told him that is not your name and number, I need your supervisor now, you are a scammer. Sometimes you have to confront them to get them to stop.
acevroker
July 17, 2019
Agreed, the SSA will NEVER CALL you. They are all scams. Unfortunately the scammers find new ways to call. I had a real SSA situation for possible SSN fraud and they will contact you by mail only!
Jacqui12345
September 19, 2019

In reply to by acevroker

Thankyou for this. I’m a stressed teenager and getting calls 3 times a day talking about how they’re going to send cops to my house
jingalert
July 17, 2019
I get this scammer call from number 646 685 8855
Christy
July 17, 2019
Received several calls beginning yesterday, and now today as of 10:30am. I never answer calls from unknown numbers, & have been blocking each call as they come in; but they keep calling from a slightly different number. What a nuisance.
Mac
July 17, 2019
Have been Constantly getting spam calls asking for SSN from 8008446994, 8008209061.
Scam call
July 17, 2019
This is what i received in the voicemail. “The issue at hand is extremely time sensitive the number for you to call the SSA back is 800-930-8221 the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement action filed on your SSN number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state court house and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 800-930-8221 thank you
social security scam
July 17, 2019
I just got this call from number 1-800-324-9548 This is the transcript from their voicemail “_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ all your social benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect with legal seller Social Security administration in order to connect with _⁠_⁠_ Social Security of ministration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ to connect with the _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ now press _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ will be automatically be connected for the concern department _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ not receive any input or citizen in order to speak with Social Security _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect…”
D.Daddio
July 17, 2019
(210) 742-9479 from San Antonio Since I was reluctant to give up my personal info, the Indian(?) accented man on the other end cursed and hung up.
CrazyBull
July 17, 2019
Getting phone calls from what the caller ID shows as "US Government" with a toll-free area code (866, 867 or something like that) on my LAN line. Yeah, I still have one, so? I let the machine pick up, but the half of the message I hear goes something like, "... investigating suspicious activity related to your SSN, if you would like to hear more about this case, press '1', now." I know its a scam, because the SSA, nor any branch or division of the gov't., wouldn't contact anyone over the phone and ask for information. ESPECIALLY regarding an active investigation. Just thought I'd get this out there for people to see that they're changing their tactics to try to steal your info and money.
mpresley
July 17, 2019
They called today and told me to call back to 409-291-8294.
Christine
July 17, 2019
Just got this same scam call (they left a message that matches everything listed here), but the call was from 866-313-2533 (real SSA number for weather alerts affecting SSA offices per a Google search). The computer voice was female this time.
Frustrated Indivdual
July 17, 2019
Received the Social Security Scam again. Called from a number supposedly in Fla. Same spiel, except requesting the last 4 of my Social Security #. Still waiting to be arrested from not responding to the last 4 calls this year. Had donuts and coffee ready too.
purplecat
July 17, 2019
I just received a call from the SSA from a NY number (displayed on my cellphone 1-646-682-7265) sounds like auto-mated robot guy. The order is to have me call back due to my social security number has been compromised...maybe I should call back and give him the business of where to go
Don't use your…
July 17, 2019
I received a call from this number ‭+1 (800) 669-0211‬ today. Very suspicious, I asked to speak with someone in Spanish and they didn’t have Spanish speakers, then I said I’d go to the SSA office to address it.
Va Gal
July 17, 2019
Got this twice today but from a different number. I am always very careful but this panicked me for 2 seconds and I reminded myself SS will not call you.
tausendsassa
July 17, 2019
I just now received a voicemail message from 1 (800) 122-7700 purporting to be from the "Department of Social Security Administration" informing me that my SSN had been suspended due to "suspicious activity." Needless to say, I did not return the call.
LBK
July 17, 2019
Just had 3 calls in a row from 844-850-3754 saying same thing others have reported - social security number has been suspended sue to suspicious activity and to press 1. I hung up. Frustrating that folks are out there trying to prey on people like this.
Princessofp
July 17, 2019
Just received one of these calls today.
Jay T
July 17, 2019
I have been getting calls all day with this same area code 1 844 399 6064
Jade
July 17, 2019
I got call 2 times, one at 7/16/2019 from (940)539-4250, one at 7/17/2019 from (415) 524-7175. I didn't pick up and they leave the same message: "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 415-524-7175 I repeat it 415-524-7175 thank you".
MLE
July 17, 2019
I got a call from 281-715-7969. Caller ID showed 'spam?' deer park...even my phone knows they're up to no good...just don't answer the phone and don't believe their threats. I feel sorry for those that fall for this and lose their money.
Madhu
July 17, 2019
I received 5 calls this morning, from these numbers below every hour one call. its so annoying. 800-292-2714 800-606-4013 310-923-9572 310-747-6331 310-409-4198 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.
Kdang
July 17, 2019
Got calls from number 281-715-7969 (Texas) telling me my SSn being suspended because it involved in some suspicious activities etc ..
Jujubea
July 17, 2019
Got three calls today! I don't answer calls from numbers not in my contacts or recognize. They leave message about my SSN be suspended but I delete them. I also get calls saying I'll lose my Medicare benefits if I don't contact them. Jokes on them, I'm a retired Federal worker and I dealt with the public. I know these agencies do not call you, they will send you letters to address any issue. The calls are coming in with 9 digit numbers which I have now blocked.
Roasting in th…
July 17, 2019
Got this same call on my cell today and let it go to voice mail.
Roasting in th…
July 17, 2019
Got this call from 646.969.3713 today.
noname
July 17, 2019
I got a call on Monday and this is what my voicemail Transcribed: “_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ to your social security number we suspect that it is an identity theft situation _⁠_⁠_⁠_ the _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ from _⁠_⁠_⁠_ and the judiciary department we are canceling your social security number for further information and to avoid any disciplinary action kindly call us _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ you receive this message my direct line number will be 217-203-8559 I repeat 217-203-8559 thank you good day…” I blocked the number and will keep letting unknown numbers go to voicemail.
Virginia
July 18, 2019
Received a call similar to this from 800 772 5854 on July 18 2019 and the call requested you press '1' for additional help. The call indicated my social security had been compromised and suspended.
P.R.-S.
July 18, 2019
They are calling me almost daily, sometimes several times a day, from these numbers: 800 003 2289 800 433 9255
Cesar
July 18, 2019
I received a call stating that my Social Security has been suspended. I called back and they asked my name and my SSN#. They are scammers.!! Number 18332342333
Jen-Dallas
July 18, 2019
got a call from Laura Rogers about my student loan and payment options. Just another way they are trying to scam.
TSob
July 18, 2019
My daughter just got this call. When she called back they had my name (the acct is in my name) and told her I was under a Federal Investigation and that my SSN was suspended. I googled the number and it belongs to a dentist in SLC Utah but when I called it back an man with an Indian accent answered saying they are the SSA . Total Scam
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