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
December 03, 2019
+1 (361) 240-0509
Shiner, TX another Scam and about a Case number
November 29, 2019
I just got the same recording today. They left a number in Texas 972-449-1996. I listen to the recording here, it the same.
November 29, 2019
I was called by 1-800-969-2597 with this kind of message
December 03, 2019
I just got a message that said, “Station department is filing lawsuit against you and then arrest warrant has been released on your name due to legal enforcement actions filed on your other social security number for fraudulent use to get more information about this case from federal database press one and speak to our investigator now…”
December 02, 2019
I just received a call 361-204-0176. I did not answer they saying they were SS. They left a message that was a frist, they said I was in a lot of trouble if I did not respond. I really getting tired of these calls.
December 02, 2019
Message was female robot voice saying "Did you call the SSA back is 480-781-0155. The reason you have received this phone call is to inform you that there's 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 have any questions."
When I called that number back from a different phone, someone answered immediately and said "Social Security this is agent Tom Crucifer how can I help you." Did not give any info.
December 02, 2019
I just got a call from the scammers today - Dec 2, 2019. They used the number 1 800 982 5357 to call me. They said my SS number has been suspended. I just ended the call right there. Please note the phone number.
December 02, 2019
Just received a call from 1-888-632-2243 telling me if I don't respond I will be taken to court, So I blocked my number and called back every time I called the same Indian guy answered claiming to be Social Security.
December 02, 2019
Received a call from scammer threatening my ss# was going to be suspended and crime associated with my ss#. These idiots need to be found and stopped they have already intercepted my I come tax now I owe over $5,000.00 I cant even afford bread due to this. HELP!!
December 02, 2019
Here's another one
+18008101920
December 02, 2019
I have been getting calls from 410-216-5531 regarding my social security number involved in criminal activity.
December 02, 2019
Scammers won’t give up. I received a social security voice recording that the law enforcement will remove my social security #. I know that the social security will not call me. I called him back and I asked him what is going on. Why did you sent me that weird message. He pretended that I not to know. He said,” it’s his personal phone that he had for years. I said,” your company quit calling me. His said there is no company. I think I caught him off guard. He is foreign scammer. I told him. I will wait for the law enforcement here at my home.
December 02, 2019
Please add this number to the scam list 4432313786.
December 02, 2019
1-888-027-8380 another scam number
December 02, 2019
Just received a call from Flatonia, TX -- 361-203-0117, claiming to be the Social Security Administration. Said my SS benefits would expire within 24 hours unless I took immediate action.
December 02, 2019
I just listened to a voice mail. Machine states they are legal enforcement for social security and to call 915-613-1377 to continue legal procedure.
December 02, 2019
Just got a similar call with slightly different content from the following number: 800-693-2596
December 02, 2019
Call received from 855-532-2583. Definitely a scam warning me about an outstanding arrest. They called a business line.
December 02, 2019
Just got similar message from San Antonio #. I'm in LA.
210-722-1652 was caller's number
December 02, 2019
Just received call from two different San Antonio phone numbers, 210-394-5209 and 210-825-7791 claiming my social security number was suspended due to suspicious activity. I did NOT press 1.
December 02, 2019
The phone number that calls me claiming to freeze my social security account is (800)567-7062. Don't pick it up.
December 02, 2019
+1(866)223-6291
+1(804)884-9824
Both are scammer numbers saying your social security is involved with crime . DO NOT RESPOND
December 02, 2019
Just got two calls today: 1-800-183-1776 & 1-800-044-2439. I let it go to voicemail and the voicemail said exactly what it says on top of this article.
December 02, 2019
I keep getting calls from a 1 800 832 number the last 4 digits are always different I got 3 today so far I just hang up its getting really aggravating I went to my local social security office and reported it they told me just keep blocking the numbers and keep hanging up and that's what I'm doing
December 02, 2019
On November 26, I received four calls. Three calls from 1-800-701-1422 and one from 1-800-1455. According to the caller an arrest warrant has been issued due some illegal activity where my social security number was used. I returned one of the calls just to see what the heck the call was concerning. I don't remember the callers name, but I did block the numbers. After he finished explaining, I frankly told him that if had all of my information that he could come and get me. I haven't had a call since November and hope not to receive another. But in case I do, I'll be sure to get a name
December 02, 2019
Received 2107283896 fake phone call stated Social security is suspend as exactly mentioned in this forum.
December 02, 2019
Scammers are leaving messages on my voicemail to call this number 914-206-7485 because fraudulent activities is filed against your SSN.
December 03, 2019
1-800-471-0872
Just received a call that says the identical scam message that is reported above.
I hung up once I heard them say, "to unlock your account..." The real question is who sold them my number.
December 03, 2019
I received this message: “Social Security administration number to reach department is 931-813-1355 I repeat it's 931-813-1355 thank you…”
December 03, 2019
Just got one. Sounded very official. From Alabama. Number is 251-260-2763. Very threatening. Robo call so just ignored it. Dec 3,2019.
December 03, 2019
I received a call from the ssa telling me that there was bad activity on my account. I was then asked to verify my birth date,and ss# so they could help me with the problem. I said since you are with the government the ss administration already has this information. I asked him to tell me what my ss# and my birthday because that was how they determined my benefits He got angry and then threatened to have me arrested by the FBI I told him to please do just that. He then cursed at me for wasting his time I told him thank you for confirming he was a bad scammer and hung up.
December 03, 2019
1-800-532-4232 called me at 8:54am on Dec 3rd 2019. It's a male voice recording that says your SS# has been suspended due to suspicion of frayd activities. Recording requests you to select the number 1. DO NOT SELECT ANYTHING. HANG UP AND REPORT IT TO THE OAG AND SS FRAUD DEPT IMMEDIATELY.
THIS COULD PROTECT YOU IN LONG RUN.
THIS CALL IS A SCAM. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH EVERYONE. MAINLY ELDERLY WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE.
December 03, 2019
Getting call from this number:
(800) 296-7557
December 03, 2019
If I feel like answering, I usually say something totally off the wall, like ask questions, as if I'm with a dating service. Usually get a quick hang up afterwards. I also sometimes when I see a number I don't recognize, I either hit the button or pick up the receiver as if to answer the call, however, don't say anything and put it on mute until it ends. Once you say, "hello", they know the number is connected to a person. If it goes to a voice message, same thing. It really is horrible that you can block the number a thousand times, only for it to come from a completely different number.
December 03, 2019
I just received a scam call from +1 (667) 300-6165. It was a robot voice asking me to call the Social Security admin back at the same number.
December 03, 2019
Various numbers that resemble this one call my cell phone daily.
I block each one. Yesterday they actually left a message and it is exactly what is provided in this information. Total scam....!
December 03, 2019
Here we go with Another round of these calls last phone number is the car from 719 733-1351.
December 03, 2019
this number is also now attempting to get personal info on people.
this number 361-240-0518 is the one that just called me warning me my SSN will be blocked and the other BS they say.
They are in TX Corpus Christi area i believe. I hope these people can be caught and stop this annoyance.
dan
December 03, 2019
Received a call today from +1 (800) 971-3399 saying that my social security number has been compromised.
December 03, 2019
Add this one to your list:
323-425-8184
December 03, 2019
I have received four calls in the last two days. from 1800-009-4579. Last one left a voice mail message indicating my SS account had been suspended and to connect to SS adminstrative office by pressing one. Repeated the request to press"one" three times. Warned if did not respond my SS benefits would be blocked permanently. Ridiculous. Can't believe anyone falls for this.
December 03, 2019
I just received a call from (813) 320-7541 stating that there is an issue on my social security record due to criminal activity. SCAM - beware
December 03, 2019
S.S.A. Scammers have called 4 times in the last two days.
They call from: 888-640-1750 or 713-255-9693 -or - 866-318-0603
caller ID labels it '800 service'.
I am very worried, they are relentless and my poor aged parents don't know how to discern if it's fake or not. Anyone with info how to make these calls stop, please help. Thank you.
December 03, 2019
A robotic voice message asking for a call back to 877 372 1188 from Social Security.
December 04, 2019
Got a call from 865-408-7634 (Loudon, TN) that left a voice message asking to call back immediately as fraudulent activity was detected on my SSN, hence they were canceling it and filing a lawsuit against me. Got multiple such calls from these numbers 513-982-1336, 513-982-1608, 513-982-1161 , 513-207-8287
December 04, 2019
The IRS will NEVER call you on the phone. Dont let these calls scare you into giving them anything. Just hang up and dont listen. I was getting these calls all the time. I called the IRS to verify and they told me that they will only contact anyone through a registered letter that you have to sign for. Dont talk to them, the longer they can keep you on the phone the more information they can get about you. Just hang up and dont let them scare you.
December 04, 2019
I just got one of those calls on my cell and the # showing on CID was 667-300-6169. Of course the person wanted me to verify info so I gave them a bogus name and ZIP code. They told me that they "were going to verify it" and call back and hung up. Now, if I call their # back, they immediately hang up. Bunch of jerks and sound like English is definitely NOT their first language.
December 04, 2019
646/417-5311
The caller claimed to be be Ethan Black badge #325899 from the Social Security Administration. He reported that the DEA has reported that there was fraudulent activity on my SSN#. He knew my names and address. He wanted me to verify my SSN# or a marked sheriff's vehicle would come and pick me up and put me in jail.
I did NOT give him this information. DoNOT give this information out EVER.
December 04, 2019
I have received three of these calls this week, all displaying different phone numbers. The most recent was 800-984-0827.
December 04, 2019
I have been receiving these calls over the last few days. The robotic nature makes it a give-away that its a scam, but I can see how a senior would be scared enough to react.