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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.

Search Terms
kg1010
December 20, 2019
Look out for ‭202-217-0610‬
Janet Quinones
December 20, 2019
I received a phone call today, they left a message saying that my social security number was going to be suspended for fraudulent activity and that I could be arrested. The number is 800-820-8555.
Called now fro…
December 20, 2019
Now I am getting this call from 1-800-590-2773. I pushed 1 to speak to a representative and asked them to remove me from the list or face legal action. They hung up immediately.
fandu001
December 27, 2019
Got a call from 844 008 1432, stating the Social Security Number is blocked for suspicious activity, and if you don't press 1 to speak with Legal advisor on SSA, then your Card and privileges will be revoked permanently. Seems spam to me.. I disconnected.
Brytt
December 20, 2019
Received calls from 18008224766 in Mississippi on Dec.20.2019
New Scam Number
December 20, 2019
‭+1 (800) 750-4641‬
Mary
December 20, 2019
I received a call on 12/20/19 from +1 (626) 479-2531. It was a machine recording saying they are calling from SSA because my SSN and all SS benefits have been suspended due to suspicious activity. I was then asked to press 1 to talk to a representative to have my SSN re-activated and this is when I hung up.
Angry
December 20, 2019
18005003136 Got a call from this number saying the is a crime committed in another state in my name from ssa. They then switched me to a supposed dea agent. They wanted to know all kinds of questions, including how many pets I had. Both had Indian accents.
KC
December 20, 2019
Got 2 social security scam call today. ‭(800) 513-2402‬ And ‭(800) 699-8026‬ Msg - “Social benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect with _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ 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 for the officer now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern department he did not receive any impact your _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ in order to speak with Social Security personnel regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect…”
user202
December 20, 2019
I got a call from below number on the same Please add this number too to the list 1 800 330 3111
Veronica
December 20, 2019
‭+1 (800) 844-3110‬ They hung up when I pressed one. I figured if they asked for my social they were scamming.
Anotherscam
December 20, 2019
This time I got a voicemail about SS# being compromised and jail time. I knew it was a scam so I called back and the number magically now doesn’t work. ‭+1 (800) 312-4133‬
Scam Buster
December 20, 2019
I have received multiple phone calls today from the same number claiming they are from the SSA and that my number is involved in a major DEA investigation. If you stay on the line it will be picked up by someone with an India Native accent who tells you there is a major l;aw enforcement investigation and you need to send some amount of money to them immediately somewhere in the range of 20 to as much as 30thousand dollars. If you call the number back that comes up on caller ID, the real number actually belongs to a legitimate bussiness "Great Lakes Volvo" which is a semi truck company. The secretary laughs when you explain to her why your calling the number back.
MM
December 20, 2019
I just received a call from 800 202-0872 with automated message telling me my SS has been suspended because of suspicious activity. It advised me to press 1 to be connected with a specialist who can help me, I just hung up and blocked the number.
SikSensed
December 20, 2019
I got a call from 1-800-310-1784 saying my ss number was about to be suspended, and my benefits would be stopped. He had a Indian accent, and asked for me ss number, when I said no, he said then give him the last 4 numbers, then verify my address... When i told him he was a scammer and that I'm calling the police he immediately hung up on me.
MTpaladin
December 20, 2019
Please add this number to the list that are pretending to be from the SSA. 1-844-717-4235
Judy
December 20, 2019
Call from unknown 1-800-963-2311 robo call threatening suspension of my social security number.
Iamrobot
December 21, 2019
Got today a voicemail from 800-278-8446 about my SSN. Message says that my SS number was compromised due criminal activity and blocked.
LAW
December 26, 2019

In reply to by Iamrobot

My wife has just received her second call from this SS scam. A warrant has been issued etc etc.
Wall
December 21, 2019
SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM ALERT (1 800 637 0412 ) 12/21/19 4:00 pm EST : caller says social security number has been suspended please press 1, at that point hung up.
Damare
December 22, 2019
I have 5 voice calls from them so far I know the Social Security office does not call you
Tseegars36
December 27, 2019
My husband receive a call 800 936 4711 and the young was asking question saying that she important information and she had his social security number and he told I am not giving any information over because so many scam so he gave me the so I was talking to her and told her my wife will talk to you then she tell me I need husband permission he just her talk to my wife and would not give me any information so I hung up the phone cal and massage emergency something couldn't understand the message while they had me on hold the lady answer the phone ask what number was use so I gave her the number then said do you live Nc? So I told what is this reference to and continue ask what my location I told I need your information and just continue ask the same question to me is a red flag and I decide hang up the phone and I do not feel I have to pay $1.00 to find out if it's a scam. I know for sure the government will send a letter and creditor will tell we trying collect a debt any information will us to get payment resolve. So beware it the holiday and folks like to scam old and the scare.
JJ
December 23, 2019
Just got this SCAM call today. The number calling was ‭+1 (800) 958-6754‬
Booboo1978
December 24, 2019
Just received a call from this number claiming to be social security. Didn't answer. I blocked it but for some reason it keeps getting thru.
Connie
December 26, 2019
I just received a recorded call from (844) 996-3501 (it was the third or fourth time they called, I finally picked up). The recording said they were from the SSA, my SSN had been suspended due to suspicious activity. I didn't listen to the entire message - I just disconnected the call.
DrsBux
December 26, 2019
I got a call on my voicemail that surprised me at first, but then I saw on here that others got the same call but from a different number. The # (415)318-1322 Message: “An arrest warrant has been released on your name due to legal enforcement action by your Social Security number for fraudulent activities. To get more information about this case file from the federal database and to speak with an officer press 1, I repeat, to speak with an officer press 1. “ ***OF NOTE:They used the same computer voice as the SSA example of what a fraudulent call sounds like. Be being the worry wart I am I had my best friend, who is a Sheriff, check all real databases and of course I had no warrants, never have, never will. Just wanted to be sure my identity hadn’t been stolen. The crap these people come up with!!
NOELM
December 27, 2019
still going! got one today from 800-772-0282
Laughable
December 28, 2019
I got one of those Social Security Administration scam calls; they said a warrant was out for my arrest. I laughed hysterically as I’m not as yet eligible for social security and I know they wouldn’t give me time to flee if there actually was a warrant, geez! I also get dozens of the stupid car warranty scam calls. So many spoofed local numbers! Let it go to voicemail, people.
LNP9
December 30, 2019
Just happened to me and they called again with a different number. However I provided nothing and could smell the scam when I got a robot voice and doubled checked if our government would call us for such issues. Yeah nope.
whet
January 02, 2020
i have got a call from foreign speaking female stated that someone in household is applied for social security today 1/2 could not even say my name national disability i hung up
User
January 02, 2020
I have got a call from 1 800 355 6282 saying that my SSN is suspended
Sader
January 02, 2020
I got a call early this morning about my social security number being frozen due to suspicious activity recently appearing in regards with my social security number. It said to press one to speak to a representative that way they can do all they can to remedy the situation and figure out what type of suspicious activity would cause this. The person asked for my full name and told me to hang on while they pulled up some files. It was a lucky thing that the call got disconnected by their end and then I rushed straight online to figure out what was going on with my social security number and privacy. I'm glad I stumbled onto the site because the calls were similar to the one that I had just received. I feel better that I did not give out my personal information like I see some of those have done and I do feel sorry for those individuals that did so. It was a man who answered with a very thick Indian accent that said this "is the Social Security Adiministration" and I could hear the call center in the back if you will, with a bunch of laughing and other type of inquiries or calls being made while I was on "hold" briefly. ly. The 'hold music' was what got me suspicious because it was not the usual relaxing peaceful Tunes, but instead it was a sort of wrap or techno beatbox type of music before I was transferred to the so-called agency. This is completely nerve-wracking and I don't find this funny at all! It comes at an unfortunate time in my life where I had just gotten out of the emergency room so my social security number was used in regards to treatments, pharmacies, prescriptions, Etc... this caught me off-guard and made me completely upset/scared, I feel something should be done about this and that these numbers need to be traced and Justice needs to be served to these scammers. There are too many of them out there that are getting away with scams like these and not facing any prosecution, I feel this isn't right and I feel action should be taken. I am going to include the number that contacted me and it was an 800 number so it definitely appeared to be official. I hope someone collects all these numbers in here and does something. 18000096117
Me
January 02, 2020
Received a voicemail from 1-800-459-1268 Saying “Money laundering fraud done by you the investigation team of our department and the FBI are investigating more about this case file we are trying to reach you for the last time to verify about such activities just in case we will not hear back from you it will be consider as an intentional fraud and the lawsuit will be file under your name in order to get more information and talk to the Social Security office or kindly press one repeat press one to connect your call to Social Security officer thank you“
Sam
January 02, 2020
Receiving these calls non-stop for 2-days from the following numbers 800-527-9730 and 800-377-6051
brm
January 02, 2020
12/10/19: received a call from (800) 768 5486 claiming that my SSN was under investigation with the FBI and a lawsuit will be filed under my name if no response is given. Automated message was cut out halfway through, attempted to call back for a prank on 01/02/20 and number was unavailable.
gopichandran
January 02, 2020
I received this number: 800 434 2460
lol
January 03, 2020
Got a call from ‭+1 (800) 316-4462 asking for my social to reinstate it after suspicious activity‬. I purposely answered and allowed myself to be transferred. I said, “I’d like to be taken off this call list because I know this is a scam” and the person hung up immediately.
JA
January 03, 2020
Just got a call very similar but was a lady's voice saying my SSN has been suspended and to press 1. The number was 800-821-7207
Gotacallinphilly
January 03, 2020
I received a call from 1-800-310-3050 with a recording. Same scam. Woman robot voice recorded.
GaryB
January 03, 2020
My call was a female demanding I call 986-200-0936
lespaulplayer
January 03, 2020
it happened to me...I answered and it was a recording saying to hold and somebody would be with me,I was told it was a scam by the people with me so I hung up..it kept happening for a few days and then stopped....I was told it was a scam but they are persistent...
KBDA
January 03, 2020
Just got the call from 844 526 7696. Robot voice. Do not respond to that call unless you want to be poor.
Sarahwilliams
January 04, 2020
A scam call from 469-313-5648 contacted me and got my voicemail and it said I had an arrest warrant out for me for fraud and to call them back. WARNING SCAM ALERT
All spoofed
January 04, 2020
lol. Post all the phone numbers you want here. They're all spoofed. Some belong to legitimate businesses, some don't exist and more than likely picked at random by a computer and won't be used again so are not helpful.
Lily
January 04, 2020
I have just received a SCAM Threat ! I did not respond because I am aware of this.
Inkie
January 04, 2020
I totally get these calls and block them. I call some back only to get a "Reject" answer. Very tired of it.
Shadow
January 06, 2020
Been receiving calls from 1-800-525-0999 and other multiple numbers claiming that my SS # in going to be suspended due to illegal activity. I connect with a person and they ask my name, fine then ask for my last 4 of my social and I say why do you need that if you are calling me about my social and he says you are under investigation for illegal activity and I ask if I’m being investigated someone would have contacted me either by mail or an officer at my door for some thing and he hangs up on me. Be careful!!!
kennycasta11
January 06, 2020
I received this call today from this number (626) 579-9004 saying my social security it’s been suspended I was like how can it be suspended and it sound very suspicious guy with the name Adam Role (officer) and his batch number is 3919611 and the the called failed and I tried to call back and it was a wrong number, this never happened to me i didn’t give no information at all thank God but these thieves are everywhere and most likely they sound Indians with an American name.
Kurtis
January 06, 2020
Received call today regarding a case #DMC701089, advised me on phone that SSN will need to be changed due to fraud activities in ElPaso Tx I contact my bank and was advised by Treasurer office that it was FRAUD...
BV
January 06, 2020
205-215-3905- Spoofed number , acting as SSA - Robo message instills fear that your SS number has been compromised- Select 1 to talk to a SS "Officer" - I did absolute joke and clearly scamming asked the guy if his mother knew what he was doing - he got all nervous and hung up on me