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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
REM
August 06, 2019
I'm been getting this calls for about 3 days now, this time I follow the directions and a guy answer, I told him you don't sound like the Social Security office, he called me bitch.
Crazypeople
August 06, 2019
Just received a call from ‭+1 (202) 324-3000‬ and ‭+1 (866) 953-3979‬ asking me to verify my last four of my social security number. They stated that there has been some fraudulent activity with my social security number and they were suspending it. I hung up and they called back from a Washington number. SCAMMERS!!!
informationpos…
August 06, 2019
Add new number 800-419-8715
Debra
August 06, 2019
Just got call by this number, 1-855-672-1226 and didn’t answer they left a message regarding my ssn will be suspended because of illegal activity to please call them!! Really!!!! Beware!
f_az
August 06, 2019
I got the same call from 1 855 531 7066. I don't answer phone calls that are not from area codes I recognize, and the voicemail sounds just like this recording. I was searching for communication from the SS Admin in regards to having your social sec suspended and I am glad this is posted. If you got a call from the same number, don't answer, block them.
Vero
August 06, 2019
I just got a call from (830) 878-6565 telling me that my Social Security Account had been closed and that I should talk to a rep. I did tell the rep that I knew this was a scam and that I was reporting him.
Scamreporting
August 06, 2019
I just got a call from (830) 878-6565 telling me that my Social Security Account had been closed and that I should talk to a rep. I did tell the rep that I knew this was a scam and that I was reporting him.
frustratedcitizen
August 06, 2019
I've received six SS scam calls in the past two hours. The callers are female this time and are likely calling from the Philippines, judging from their accent. 806 area codes today, but last week they used one matching mine. Beyond annoying! Think of all the elderly who are being tricked by these criminals!
Paul
August 06, 2019
Reporting another Social Security scam phone call
Mattkarnehm
August 06, 2019
I received this call twice today. The first time I got the call I didn't answer. The second time fomy entertainment I answered the call. He sounded like he had an European accent stating his name was Charlie brown (red flag #1). He went on to state my ss# was going to have a hold placed in it due to fraudulent activities. I needed to give him my full name, address, ss#, and phone # to verify it was me. I told him that if my info was pulled up on his computer then why do I have to say it, he could see it. He said it was yo make sure I am who I said I was. So I told him my name was Linus Van Pelt , my address was 123 pinetree corner, Hennepin county, Minnesota and phone number is (216)263-3455. Then hung up
Hamgirl
August 06, 2019
I just listened to the recording posted on this site, this is the calls i keep getting from different numbers, the said they were from social security, n needed my name n social, i said no ffff way & hung up!
Sharon
August 06, 2019
Just received similar threatening call from 888 814 0121.
guzcar
August 06, 2019
I just got a call from 888-688-8511 telling me that my SS was suspended , they say that I have to press 1 to speak whit a SS admin person, I did, a guy respond and say how can we help, this is SS admin. I hang-up the call.
Aron1965#
August 06, 2019
Isn't it time to put pressure on the phone companies who allows these scam callers to continue infect every day of our lives. I got two of those robo-calls again about my some criminal activity added to my security number. I am so tired of this! Have written to my representatives complaining about this asking them to change the legislation. Everybody should do that; bombard them with our complaints so we get a change. The phone companies charge us so much so it is not acceptable with this kind of harassment every day.
Margo
August 06, 2019
Today I had a call from fake SSA, the same information about “my S‭SN is suspended...” the new number ‭+1 (800) 930-3379‬. The calls from automatic system then they ask you to get more information about what happened and transfer your call to operator.
HR
August 06, 2019
I just received a voicemail from these people. The phone number they called from was 1-800-017-6509. The transcript of the voicemail is: “And your Social Security number with a mediator affect 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 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 _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ 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…”. The transcription service is in beta with Apple so it leaves out some words but that’s the just of the call. I will not be calling them back!
djaha
August 06, 2019
Wow I just received a call JUST LIKE THIS TODAY...At first thinking something was very wrong and the problem was ME....but wait....I googled this under "scam" and NOW I see clearly that it was no cause 4 concern. While I'm relieved...I am also saddened by this....good info here though.
kristine
August 06, 2019
I just received a call from this number stating she was Carol Rivers calling about a problem with my student loans that I needed to resolve. She made it sound like a collection call.
Not Born Yesterday
August 06, 2019
‭I received the exact same bogus message from this phone # (800) 313-1335‬. DO NOT RESPOND. BLOCK IT!!!!
too much scams
August 06, 2019
Got a phone call from 18009586160 same social security scam. press one to connect.
R.F
August 07, 2019
Hi i got a voicemail today 08 06 2019 , same exact Wording , that is why i looked this up and found this page the number my caller id has is 1855- 316 -7704 , i have an aggresive call blocker so anyone not in my contacts gets the voicemail , Anyway watch out Folks
Jackson ryden
August 07, 2019
I had no idea that this was such a big scam number until now I hope they get caught whoever these people are
A Random Person
August 07, 2019
I got a call from (888)4654-003 and it said that it was a prerecorded message from the Social Security office & that charges have been filed against me for fraud & warrant has been issued against my social security number. I think this is a scam because I would think I would get something in the mail but I didn't, did anyone else get this?
Clara
August 07, 2019
Hello yesterday I receive to call on from SSA 888-015-3386 and from the matshal of el paso texas saying that my ss was use to rent a car and it was caught with a lot of drugs and that if i dont tell them my info ..i wil get arrested .i told them if that was true that he had my info in front of him and the marshal told to so i can save my money in a gift card and i told him that were i live is different the the state and i told them forget about that if i need something the SSA have to somve my problem and i hang up.
DT in AZ
August 07, 2019
I received the same call from 855-302-8562, on August 7, 2019. Sounded like BS, so I let it go to VM.
J.
August 07, 2019
I just got a call stating there is a legal enforcement on my SSN. Here is the transcript of the voicemail, it was a robo call so it didn’t capture the beginning of the recorded message: “At hand is extremely time sensitive the number for you to call the SSA back is 415-966-2656 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 _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 415-966-2656 thank you…”
Drew
August 07, 2019
Got a call today from 1-855-434-4970 to my mobile number who was bold enough to leave a voice mail saying my number was suspended. Sounded fishy for any number of reasons including SSA not having a phone number for me.
Krunal Patel
August 07, 2019
I just received voicemail from +1 844245 0575 with similar messages what others are getting ! I wish Gov has better way to get rid of such people ! Educated people i believe are able to track this and save self. but i am sure there are lot of people who are not able to identify this scam and are becoming victim of such fraud. i pray for those people and wish such useless fellow realize how bad it is to get someone's hard earn money !
mosahosaw
August 07, 2019
New number 8664588569 telling me to call the number 5202313064 and if I do not call back they will get a warrant for my arrest. I’m literally only 15
Scamallert
August 07, 2019
I just got a call from 1-800-194-3518 doing the SSN scam.
Kits
August 07, 2019
I just received a call from 956-683-9104, it said that it was from the Social Security Administrative office and that my account was suspended due to suspicious activity on it. For more information, press one. I have it on my voice mail.
Suzan C
August 07, 2019
Just received a call from 915-228-3795 stating they are filing legal and forcement action filed on my social security number for fraudulent activity, wants me to call them back before they begin legal proceedings.
Northeast Bob
August 07, 2019
Scam received 07Aug2019: from 315-284-5267. Computer voice "...suspended because there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity at Walmart in El Paso Texas. For more information call us back as this number 315 284 5267"
Tina D
August 07, 2019
I just received a call saying if I did not call them back verifying my social security number along with my address etc I would be arrested this morning. His voice was of foreign accent. I do not know if this is spam but have no reason to worry of being arrested. He stated the following number 502-230-3064. Has anyone else received this call with this number by chance?
P Dean
August 07, 2019
855-924-9916 just left a voicemail with this message.
Sandi V.-st.lo…
August 07, 2019
I got this recording left on my voicemail also and I knew it was a scam and I did call them back to give them a piece of my mind but the number was not a working number.( 2 hours later )
Milkman
August 07, 2019
Just got 1 of those calls today..didn't answer..
Very Annoyed
August 07, 2019
Since 10:40 am today, some has been calling me every 30 minutes telling me my social security number has been compromised from this number, 1-830-748-9295. It’s an automated call asking to press 1 to continue. The message starts off from the end of the message like it’s going on a loop. I’ve blocked it already, but had to do it from my voicemail list. Somehow it’s not in my recent calls and I don’t hear the phone ring. Sneaky jerks!
TS
August 07, 2019
Got a call at 2:33 pm on August 6 from 1-202-657-4853 and they left a message about a legal enforcement filed on my Social Security number and asked me to call them back. I called them multiple times to waste their time so they can’t scam other people.
Debbie
August 07, 2019
I just received a call saying my social security number would be frozen and blocked if I did not respond to the call. The phone number was 1.800.074.1468
slb
August 07, 2019
I just got one and gave the last 4 of my social before i realized it was a scam... he hardly spoke english and the line kept going in and out, sounded very shady, and then said remove me from you call list, i'm concerned that i have the last 4 of my social...
Poppy
August 07, 2019
I'm receiving these calls daily. I block them but they change phone numbers. This is so annoying! 0 800 601 5492 and 0800 308 1712
JH
August 07, 2019
Had recording call today. Said to call 805-307-8820.
OlgaK
August 07, 2019
I just got a call from 1 (830) 779 3020 (La Vernia, TX), saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity.... Be aware....!
Texas Consumer
August 07, 2019
I've been receiving a similar call every day for the past week (today is Aug. 5 2019). The number is +1 800-145-9081. I didn't pick up but they left a voicemail saying: "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 a _____ (inaudible) you may connect with Legal South of Social Security Administration. In order to connect with a Social Security Administration officer PRESS ONE. Now in case we do not hear from you, YOUR SOCIAL WILL BE BLOCKED PERMANENTLY. To connect now, PRESS ONE and you will automatically be connected with the concerned department official." I have never answered any of the calls and I hope they stop calling me soon.
Knowyourrights101
August 07, 2019
Got a fake one ‭206-745-9631‬ if it calls you block it ssa will never call you or threaten you with jail or lawsuits , they would send you a letter in the mail and if you think it’s fake call the real ssa number and talk to a real agent or go to your local social security office and they will gladly resolve the issue and dead any fear from a call or voice mail! Trust me my first call I was nervous but knew something was wrong!
M994
August 07, 2019
I missed a call from marathon, fl and they left a voicemail stating that they were the social security office and that they were investigating a crime I have a committed and that they would be suspending my social security card. They asked me to call 786-625-4410. Beware!!!
SC Resident
August 07, 2019
Just received the scam call from an 833-170-0642 number asking me to press 1 to keep my SSN number from being suspended
RFH
August 07, 2019
Have had three calls in less than 48 hours, from three different numbers. All basically using this same script.
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