Consumer Alert
This is what a Social Security scam sounds like
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.
Topics
August 05, 2019
i just got a voicemail message, cause i dont answer my phone lol. robo message letting me know my SS# is now blocked and i have to call the "concern" department .... never gonna happen :)
August 05, 2019
I just received a call from 800 411 7449, about my SS about to be suspended !!!
August 05, 2019
I just received a call saying I was being investigated from 678-649-2017
August 05, 2019
Have received 4 of these spam calls in the past hour! All from different spoofed numbers. The govt COULD outlaw caller id spoofing and blocking for God's sakes!
August 05, 2019
I have been repeatedly called by 1 615-378-0387 ( Tennesse ) saying that my SS has had suspicious activity and if I don`t call them back at this # that I am in danger of having my SS revoked! I am So Sick of them calling that I did call the number & when I asked who was I talking to, they hung up! I called back and told them I had reported them and to STOP CALLING!!!
August 05, 2019
I just got the same call as the example shown here. 615-378-0387 was the call back number. These are disgusting calls and I wish someone could do something about it. I have received several calls like this in the last few months.
August 05, 2019
I received the same phone call a couple of days ago. First, they called my cell phone (different numbers from multiple states, Ohio, Indiana, etc), multiple times and left automated voice-messages. Just recently, they called my office line. Normally I don't answer calls from numbers (area codes) I don't recognize but because they phoned my office, I answered, pressed 1 and spoke to what it sounded like a native-Indian speaker who did not introduce herself but just said that this was a Social Security Administration. She asked that I provide my name and SSN which I refused to give and said that this sounded like one of those scams that is being circulated online. She then said: well, ma'am you should then go to your local Social Security office and discuss the issue with them".
August 05, 2019
Have been getting a few calls a day from area code 830, but different numbers. They are after my SSN!!! Beware people.
830-742-5283, 830-814-2180, 830-599-8364, 830-304-2507, 830-694-3057
August 05, 2019
I just received two calls from 1 (844) 207-4744 and 844-803-2078 leave a recorded message: Your " We just suspend your Social Security because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know more about this case, just press one. thank you
August 08, 2019
they just called me from this number
479-370-0023
August 05, 2019
My dad just got a call from this number
1-888-830-3370
They actually left a vm saying how his social is going to be suspended and please press 1 to take to an investor now...
August 05, 2019
SSN FRAUD
(844)565-8921
August 05, 2019
These calls are relentless, numerous over several days. When they perceive right off that I am suspicious, they hang up. I'm on the National Do Not Call List. Surprised that with all our digital ingenuity these days, these crooks can't be readily tracked, identified and prosecuted.
August 05, 2019
M y mom has been getting these calls. The first one was very detailed and she had already verified all of her information before I found out about it. They told her that her social security number was being used in Texas to rent 6 apartments, that a car registered under name was found with drugs and blood in and that numerous accounts opened under her social had sent money overseas to be laundered. They even put her in touch with a "Texas Marshall" and that they were going to be coming to our home to interview her. She was so scared. I decided to check her credit and nothing has been done. Now these numbers are calling multiple times a day. These newest one says that if she doesn't call with a few hours a warrant for her arrest will be issued. This makes me so very angry. She never gave them a dime which is great but the fact that they are harassing her makes me angry. So far this morning they have called 5 times and left 2 threatening messages. We just laugh about it but it's scary what they doing.
August 05, 2019
I just received a SSA scam call a few minutes ago from 1-800-115-8450
August 05, 2019
Just received a call today from number 822-748-6218 telling me SS card has been put on hold due to suspicious activity, and that to remove this suspicious activity I need to provide my SS number, mailing address, date of birth, and full name... I hung up.
August 05, 2019
Received social security scam call claiming to be a law enforcement agency. Statement similar to a FCC audio example. Received from Telephone number : 1-800-591-1560.
August 05, 2019
I recieved a phone card saying that it was some illegal activity pertaining to a car. And my social security card is cancelled. Here is the number 5102100409
August 05, 2019
Just received a voicemail that there was suspicious activity on my SSN. Nothing about taking me to jail though. Of course, I deleted the voicemail
August 05, 2019
I got one from this number +1 (822) 765-5535
August 05, 2019
Got this exact call from +1 (334) 632-1082 today, after business hours. I called back and got the guy’s name, Michael, and told him to send me proof of any issues in the mail and he just giggled and said, “okay I’ll mail you something” and hung up. I’ve blocked the number on my phone. Be safe everyone!
August 05, 2019
received 2 calls today from different numbers
209-213-7759
209-488-1861
August 05, 2019
Today I have received more than 12 such calls from 9 to 3:30pm. It is shocking that how vicious these scammers are. Envelope more frustrating, we have nothing to stop them. I am not sure how many more
Times will they call but hope they could just stop. The numbers were:
8302252870
5624015940
8304672597
8307992508
8307555408
9094766688
8307689832
8302847393
8304652953
8307190681
All within 6 and hour hours. The last three calls are 16 minutes apart from each other. How pathetic!
August 08, 2019
Same Scam from +1(800) 261-3880
August 05, 2019
Just received a call from 800–395-2481
Was an automated message, not even a complete message that said something about suspicious activity on my Social Security, telling me I could connect to A representative. It just kept saying the same thing over and over. I hung up, blocked call.
August 05, 2019
I keep getting these calls!! And using different numbers!!!! Sick of them!!!!
August 06, 2019
My relative got a call from 830-765-8021 claiming that someone had stolen her social security number and misused it in Texas, and thereafter requesting her social security number and banking information. BEWARE -- these are dangerous scammers.
August 06, 2019
I got a call from a phone number 800-142-2157 which when i searched in google looks like an indean number, i didnt pick up but they left a messsage saying we suspended you ssn because of suspicious activity for more info press 1, when i call back this number it reaches nothing interesting what they can do with this...
August 06, 2019
The recording Mid West! 1866 163-9813 This is crazy!
August 06, 2019
I get telephone calls from this number,+213 552 11 5561, it shows to came from Albania, I don't have any one there, I haven't answered,,
August 06, 2019
I just received a scammer message twice from 615-930-0305. Luckily, I know better than to believe this computerized message. I didn't see that phone number as one listed in the recent comments so I wanted to provide it in case someone else searches to verify it's a scam.
August 06, 2019
I got a call also from 912-642-2037 and it said my social was used for criminal acts and it wasn't safe.
August 06, 2019
I just want to add the following number that is doing the same thing: +1 (888) 201-3305
Here is a transcript of the voicemail I got:
“____ 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 _______ Social Security administration in order to connect with the Social Security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the officer now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern department we did not receive any input or _______ in order to speak with Social Security personal regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect dear citizen this is to notify you that due to a certain suspicious activities related to your Social Security number we have been forced to suspend your Social Security number with immediate effect due to this 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 _______________________ administration in order to connect with a Social Security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the officer now press one ______ will be automatically be connected with a concern __________ we did not receive any input __ citizen in order to speak with Social Security personal regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect…”
August 06, 2019
I just received a call from 1(833) 546-4797 "your Social Security Number has been suspected for fraudulent activities so once you get this message kindly call us back as soon as possible before we begin with the legal proceedings against you. The number is 833-546-4797 I repeat that is 833-546-4797"
August 06, 2019
Just received a call from 1-888-516-9445 telling me that my ss has been stopped do to fraud.These crooks must be stopped
August 06, 2019
8/6/19, 11:58am Eastern: Just received one of these calls. The voicemail was slightly different this time around - did not leave a number to call back.
It starts abruptly....
"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 suspended your social security number because we found some suspicious activity. So if you want to know about this case, just press one. Thank you."
August 08, 2019
The scanner are telling me my SS number is being used n I have to call them at 410-346-9304. Or action will be taking on me . Omg
August 06, 2019
This scam is alive and well; I just received my third call. I did not fall for it though. Just confirming that this is still going on. The number that appeared on my phone today is 1 (800) 632-5491, last week call was from 1 (800) 612-3366. Thanks.
August 06, 2019
add another number on 8/6/19:
(315) 636-4726
August 06, 2019
what happens if you started to give information but realized that it was fraud. Is any thing going to happen?
August 06, 2019
JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM THIS NUMBER....1-360-216-7590. I CALLED THEM BACK AND A FOREIGN WOMAN ANSWERED THE PHONE AND SAID DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY. SCAM....
August 06, 2019
I received a call yesterday from (800) 499-9620 with threats of arresting me, though there has been no indication of any fraudulent activity on any of my accounts. In a robot recorded message, they claim an arrest warrant was issued on my SSN and there is a lawsuit being filed. It's a very scary message to get, but without any identifiers or other sources saying there is an issue with any of my accounts, I thought it was a scam. Can certainly see how people would follow up with them though. Wanted to share the number with others to be able to block it.
August 06, 2019
I just got a call from 1-817-157-3920. My SSN is suspended because of suspicious activity. Press 1 to learn more.
August 06, 2019
Receiving calls every 30 min (8/6/19). Other than the following 2 numbers, most have been "Unknown Caller"
830-289-9934
830-464-9945
August 06, 2019
Got the call while on a family emergency they kept calling every other day. Then they called my husband and my mother on that same week. Calls from 1800-770-3788 and 1800-727-0392. A few calls i answered i got scared of why. But then they left voicemails i googled the call and called my mother to tell her not to worry and not to give any information and to tell everyone at the house
August 06, 2019
I just received one of these stupid calls. It was this number:
1-800-614-5426
an automated female voice message saying the same thing.
August 06, 2019
i got a call today
August 06, 2019
Just don't pick up the phone if you don't recognize the number. It's that easy to avoid being scammed.
August 06, 2019
I got a call from multiple numbers with the same recording, but the on the first one I went through with it and talked to a real person. I said " That's impossible I'm 14" and they hung up :)
August 06, 2019
800-939-1998