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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
Tommy A.
November 08, 2019
I just got one of those calls today and I called them back just to see what was going on. Just like they warned about above they are trying to get your social security number. Don't do it!
ConcernedPerson
November 08, 2019
Received a call from 800-403-4184. Sounded almost exactly like the recording on this page but in a women's voice and slightly different verbiage.
Tommy A.
November 08, 2019
Just called the number over 20 times just now over and over again. The lady finally said to quit calling her. If they want to play games and mess with people I say we all do the same with them. I'm going to keep calling that number till they block me. They will rue the day. I encourage everyone else to do the same !
jlmb
November 08, 2019
866-325-5043, female robo voice. Said I was being investigated for social security fraud and if I hung up I would be guilty of ignoring a second attempt at contacting me. Told me to press 1. I did. Man w poor American English answered as social security enforcement and asked me why I was calling. I said you called me. He asked for my name. I said you contacted me so you already have my name. He said no mam I don’t So I told him we were obviously done w the phone call and hung up. Scammer, yes? ( because if it was really Soc security I probably ticked them off)
Bella
November 08, 2019
1 800 790 9735 scammer they say the call from social security administration
ming
November 12, 2019
+1 209 123 4633 +1 209 308 8644
K
November 09, 2019
Just received a message from 1-888-690-3781 that said, "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 your social security number because we found some suspicious activity. So if you want to know about this case, press 1 thank you." On a repeated loop.
Don't use your…
November 11, 2019
If they tell you that you are going to jail tell them fine come and get me. Then block the number
Karie
November 11, 2019
I received a phone call with that fraudulent recording from this phone number 18009181819. Be careful God bless
Galen
November 11, 2019
I've received two calls, the last one from 1-800-236-8685. I never answered the phone call but they left me voicemails both times. The first time they said my SSN is about to be suspended and possession seized. The second voicemail said my SSN has been suspended by the Department and told me to call back for more information about the case... Glad I found this page before calling back.
Cheri
November 11, 2019
Received call from 888-241-7965. Stated this was the Social Security Administration and that my SSN had been tied to fraudulant activity and my accounts associated with my SSN will be locked. I checked to see if the number showed up as a scam number (it did not), then phoned them back. Someone with a difficult to understand foreign accent answered 'Social Security Administration', very faint and difficult to hear. When I said excuse me, you are difficult to hear they hung up. Obviously not the SSA, but I wanted to find out what they said when I returned the call.
JJ
November 11, 2019
I received same call from 1-800-408-7430
Mary Lou
November 11, 2019
Plain and simple....don't answer the phone if you don't know the number calling!
Pra
November 11, 2019
I got a call saying " I am calling from SS investigation Dept and you are involved in 8 credit cards frauds and multiple bank accounts and in money laundering and there is Arrest Warrant against you. He gave his name I'd no and case no .when I said I was not involved He said "To prove your innocence and to proceed in investigation and to present before court your facts your last 4 digits of SS,your date of birth ,your address , present correct bank name and balance are needed .After one working day my SS number and all accounts linked will be frozen and new SS card will be delivered next day in sealed envelope by 2 persons from SS dept. You should withdraw all balance and deposit in a locker account from where you will be free to withdraw. Your case is also with US treasury and XXX phone will call you. A call came and person gave his name and I'd and reconfirmed all details . When I confronted how bank can open a bank account without originals and how credit cards will be issued without credit score he said "that is what we want to check " When I reached home I found all numbers were forged . Members of public need to be aware.
Ashli
November 11, 2019
Got a call this morning from 1-800-764-6660 and told me that my SSN was suspended due to activity. I called the number back and it said something about travel rewards - BLOCKED!
Savvyivyrose
November 12, 2019
Who would fall for that? The grammar alone should raise a red flag . It’s ridiculous. I know they prey on elderly people and that sickens me!
Raul
November 12, 2019
Just got a call from 1-833-239-8555 about my SS being blocked due to suspensios activity.... yeah right!
simplysharon
November 12, 2019
Just Received voicemail from imposter foreign woman pretending to be Social Security. I am suppose to call back her division @ 623-471-6959 if I want to stop legal consequences. She ended the call with “goodbye and take care…” Call showed up from Phoenix Arizona.
sivap36
November 12, 2019
I got same threatening call three times from three different numbers. I didn't respond. The left a message to call back. The numbers are: 410-927-3884, 503-376-6493
upontop
November 12, 2019
I have received 3 calls in 2 days from these scammers they are frustrating. The call comes from 800 service 866-587-7945
TSG
November 12, 2019
I have recieved no less than 4 calls to my cell phone over the course of 2 hours from the following number: 1-833-239-8555. All leave a computer recording that they are from the SSA investigation department and they need me to call as soon as possible.
jb501
November 12, 2019
Get this call several times a day
gusmen69
November 12, 2019
I just received a call from (650) 281 2344 with a recording asking me to call (650) 261 2344 Be aware this is obviously a scam, SS will never call you with threats.
Not Falling fo…
November 12, 2019
Just got a call from (800) 232-1059 claiming there was fraudulent activity and my SSN was being suspended. Was almost word for word from above. Thanks for posting this notice online.
Annoyed
November 12, 2019
Just received 2 of these calls today. Robo voice telling me my ssn had been suspended. Please don't fall for this scam! 888-157-6706 888-158-0049 Blocked.
anonymous
November 12, 2019
1-800-544-9294 - got a call from this number stating that SSN will be suspended due to suspicious activity.
Frank
November 12, 2019
Add this phone number to the scam list 1-833-239-8555
Concerned
November 12, 2019
This number left that same message about suspending SS#: 800.497.1279
acsuser
November 12, 2019
today at 13:31, I got a call from 203 308 9955 on my office number, recording saying that my social security number was being investigated for fraudulent activities and asked me to press #1 to talk to agent. I hanged up and called back. got another recording in Spanish.
Airstar
November 12, 2019
Just received call from 888 698 0960. Now blocked.
tiredofscammers
November 12, 2019
received a call today from 800-495-9965 claiming to be the Social Security Administration, my social is going to be blocked permanently if I dont talk to someone.
Ladyshires
November 12, 2019
These scams are hideous and easy to identify, but the older population needs to be warned so they don't fall prey. Very sad that people have been robbed. I get so many of these stupid calls that I have resorted to, in a cheerful voice, "Will you call me back right away at my home number?" I then provide them with the Sheriff Department number that I have handy.
SK
November 12, 2019
I keep receiving the same call from 8332398555.
auntie
November 12, 2019
Just received the same type of call - November 12, 2019
Sunrose
November 12, 2019
I got a call a say that my ssn number was suspended due to high activity. They start asking my name and my date of birth and last 4 of my ss which I did not give anything. I only said my name of course not my full name so they hung up on me. They call me from this number 310-844-7544.
Notrst1
November 12, 2019
Got a call just now from 877 366 9499 left voice mail automated message saying all that posted above.
JYoong
November 12, 2019
Received a call today 11/12/19 from ‭(800) 293-0368‬ Saying my number was compromised. Saturday I received one from ‭(888) 733-2070‬ Stating the same thing.
DDE2424
November 12, 2019
I got one of these today and the numbers on the caller ID were actually the numbers for SS and the number for the actual police department. I don't know how they are doing that. The police department, where I reported it, didn't know either but confirmed it is a scam. The number that comes up, and that, unfortunately, I called back was 760-227-0448. I am in Florida. This was the most intimidating scammer call I have ever received. I did not give them any money, but regret that I did share information I would not have otherwise.
Amy K Caldwell
November 12, 2019
A 1800 686 7177 numer called me to say that my SSI number was being missed used and when I spoke to the person who said his name was officer Jake Smith, I told him to call me back later , to give me time to call the SSI office to find out if he worked for them, he hung up.
David
November 12, 2019
I got this call today and they scared the mess out of me. Telling me I had a warrant out because my SSN was used in a crime. I didn’t give them any CC numbers or bank account information. I’m glad I googled this number because they will be giving me another call tomorrow.
scam call Nov 2019
November 13, 2019
Got a call from +1 586 571-0654 Center Line, MI. saying "there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security 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 questions kindly call us back at 586-571-0654."
amyteach16
November 13, 2019

In reply to by scam call Nov 2019

Received a call today from Owatonna, MN (507) 475-8362 stating that there is an investigation team working with the FBI about my fraudulent case file. They are trying to reach me for the last time to verify such activities. If they do not hear back from me it will be considered as an intentional fraud and the lawsuit will be filed under my name. In order to get more information and talk to the Social Security office I needed to press one.
Julie
November 13, 2019
SSA Scam numbers used in last 3 days: 1-866-894-8321 1-866-843-0292 1-866-812-1687 1-866-924-0109 1-866-881-7003
CiciX
November 13, 2019
Got a call from 8007217851 claiming to be SSA stating that I have fraudulent activities going on and that there’s an arrest warrant on me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Hmmm....not gonna buy it. But do be aware of these calls and don’t fall for them! As stated above do call the real number.
Jasmine07
November 13, 2019
just received a call on my cellphone from 1 (647)974-1020 telling me that there was an infraction on my SIN number and that I had to speak to one of their agents about it, not to ignore it or it would cause further damage and have penalty.
Sean
November 13, 2019
Got a new number, 800-882-5638; Said that my Social Security Benefits would be canceled permanently and that I needed to press 1 to connect to SSA Officer, I let the message continue, it said to press 1 now to connect with the concerned department. I almost fell for it last month, not falling for it again.
G222
November 13, 2019
Other phone numbers that they are using are +1 713 829 1263 and +1 713 691 9639
agcoman
November 13, 2019
I just got the call today saying something similar, the number used was 800-365-2797
TexasTea
November 13, 2019
Received this message from 844-344-5180: "Hi. I'm in 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 844-344-5180. I repeat, it's 844-344-5180. Thank you." Is this legitimate or not?
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