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
January 28, 2020
Received robo call, "female" robotic voice: 1-289-045-3662. Informed that my SS # has been fraudulently used in South Texas. Please press #1. I didn't. "Thank you have a nice day."
January 28, 2020
+1 (800) 778-5049
New number for SS scam
January 28, 2020
I'm getting calls multiple times a day saying "this calls for you. We have received a legal complaint under your ss# and drivers driver's license number to bloke your ss#.
I don't answer and they leave a number to call back. 844-569-7620
January 28, 2020
scam from phone 6478083638
January 28, 2020
I got a call from 915-613-4949 saying the exact same thing.
January 28, 2020
call from 866-909-6549. Same as above connect with an agent otherwise your SS# will be suspended forever.
January 28, 2020
844-569-7620 SCAM beware recording social security number involved in illegal activity and will be blocked
SOCIAL SECURITY DOES NOT CALL AND DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS A SCAM AND THEY TRY USING MULTIPLE NUMBERS
January 28, 2020
just received call from 915-208-4515 threatening to suspend my social security number so 'true culprit' of criminal activity could be located; wanted me to confirm personal information; told them I wanted their name, name of supervisor, telephone number to confirm because I've always heard SSA doesn't do this; gave me name & IRC badge number but I was driving and couldn't write down. Told them I would do my own investigation and hung up. Glad I went with my gut
January 28, 2020
+1 (800) 990-9075 Scam number
January 28, 2020
Just adding 18888041915...
January 28, 2020
Posting in case someone else gets these calls and searches for them. I've had the following numbers call me every two hours for the past two days between 9-5 pm CST with the same spam message:
1 800 393 8535
1 800 386 0821
1 800 397 9083
1 800 300 5468
1 800 359 2435
1 800 339 6693
1 800 372 8527
1 800 963 7797
1 800 732 3063
They really are persistent.
January 28, 2020
Got a call from 815-201-8880. Called it back and they had the AUDACITY to say "Social Security Administration" when they answered. In a foreign accent. Don't give them any information!!
January 28, 2020
Just received a scam call from +1 (800) 477-5874. Beware of this number.
January 28, 2020
I just re-ceived one of these calls. The phone number that showed up was 800-225-8809. It went to my VM.
January 28, 2020
Just adding number +1 (800) 994-9477 here for people to know.
January 28, 2020
Just received a call from this number. 878-212-5986 , Washington PA. Robocall said Soc. Sec. number and Driver's license number have been compromised, call number to stop criminal charges. Letting the public know about this scam. Hope these people face criminal charges !
January 28, 2020
Got repeated calls from 254-327-0293 in heavy Indian accent talking about something is wrong with my social security and if I do not cooperate I will be thrown in jail or deported (if applicable). Does not know my name, cannot answer any of my questions. Has hung up on me and has gotten feisty. So far we are on call number 2 for today.
January 28, 2020
Lately, again, I received few calls from Social Security about my fraudulent SS activity with a warning of my arrest. I was not in any contact with SS for last few years. I did not answer the phone but they left exact messages as you gave us the audio.
The numbers from which they called are;
202-8686887
575-8730127
800-6820614
January 28, 2020
Just received scam SS phone call from 800-053-6410
January 28, 2020
1 877 310 6728 SSN Fraud Don't Do anything on these calls from this number. Fake number!!!
January 28, 2020
Just got one of these from 833-498-8482.
January 28, 2020
Just received a robocall with a female voice from 406-206-3135 saying that my SSN was suspended due to an investigation by a federal crime bureau and to call back that number for more information. I received the same message a few days ago. Don't fall for it!
January 28, 2020
Got the exact same call as played in the clip above from (630) 545-2992 (Glen Ellyn, IL) or at least that was the display. Hung up and identified it as a scam but want to give the info to avoid people from being hurt by this.
January 28, 2020
SCAM 213-297-7316
January 28, 2020
I’ve receiving a phone called from 1-800-647-1928 saying “ “Been compromised because we are getting some fraudulent to suspicious activities going on and it's about to get suspended press one to talk with investigating officer before we begin to legal enforcement action has been filed against your Social Security number press one now thank you…”
January 28, 2020
278-530-5816 — Social Security Admin warning me my SS# had been used "on the south border of Texas" and that I should press 1 for help. Did not press 1. Number shows as "invalid" and cannot be called back. Scam, of course.
January 28, 2020
+1 (833) 817-8117
United States caller Id “ scam likely” didn’t answer they left message saying ss was in trouble.
January 28, 2020
another # 800 761-8537
January 28, 2020
I've received phone calls the last 2 days in a row saying it was the DEA, and they found my ssn with fraudulent activity associated with it, and asked me to press 1 to speak with someone this call was from Connecticut. Lol. I've recieved 3 calls today saying my ssn was found to be involved with fraudulent activity, and if I didnt press 1 my ssn would be suspended and I would have my assets frozen if i didnt press 1 to speak with someone. I've never seen a government agency forwarn someone that they were doing anything illegal and they better stop or they would be arrested. Seems like they would just arrest you and kick in your door. Got a laugh out of so stupid. I hope none falls for these call center scare tactics. Shame, shame.
January 28, 2020
I received a call today and when I answered it was the automated message. I hung up and called back. A woman answered the phone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. I asked why are you calling me and she asked me for my name. I said you called me and should already have my name. She immediately hung up.
January 28, 2020
Just got a call from 833-498-8482 with this exact message. 01.28.19
January 28, 2020
I keep getting calls from numbers like this. I never answer, but I get voicemails. Today I woke up to a phone call and a voice mail from one of these. This time they told me that there is a warrant out for my arrest because of fraudulent activity with my social security number. Up until now all they were telling me was that my social security number was going to be suspended because of this fraudulent activity they're talking about. I really hope these people are found and dealt with because I'm thinking of all the older folks who aren't technologically savvy and will fall for this sort of thing and will lose all of their money. So dishonest. Not good. It's also really annoying. I miss the days when the only people calling my phone were the ones I actually gave my number to and wanted to speak with. :/ Thanks for the article.
January 28, 2020
I just received two calls within 20 minutes of each other from 1-833-824-8684. He stated he was from the ssa. When I asked him why he would be calling me because ssa doesn't do that, he just kept repeating that he needed my address, etc. I told him the call was a scam and hung up on him.
January 28, 2020
All comments sound familiar. Got one of these yesterday that displayed a caller ID of:
800-119-8702
The robo-voice used in the FTC audio clip was similar, but more polished and lacked a threat at the end of their message.
January 29, 2020
Adding +1 (800) 602-1713
January 29, 2020
Received same call from 410-874-4109.
January 29, 2020
I received various calls yesterday from different phone numbers. Today early morning it started to receive same calls. I have all unknown numbers blocked on my phone, but I have listened to these calls. Please do not fall on this scam.
January 29, 2020
I just got a call from this number 1-825-870-2189.. n its said to push number 1 to talk to them so I did n they said what's my name n I'm like u called me should u not know who ur calling ... n then I hung up.... that was today Jan 29/2020
January 29, 2020
Received call today (robotic) advising that my SS # and drivers license has been suspended due to suspicious activity and to call 878 212 5986 immediately. Did not call because Social Security or D M V will not call you for information.
January 29, 2020
916 378 8339 comes up California, Pretending to have the police on the other line from Texas, rental car in my name with human blood. Send Money for case
January 29, 2020
1-800-129-5703 getting a similar call from that #, female voice on recording.
January 29, 2020
I just received a call that said my social security number has been linked to a rental car involved in a drug bust in Texas.
Is this another scam?
January 29, 2020
I received 2 calls about my social security number being suspended due to suspicious activity. So I pressed 1 and asked the first caller of an Indian accent, to tell me my social security number that was suspended, and he hung up on me. Second time it was a woman of Chinese accent and she asked me for my name. I told her that I don’t feel comfortable giving out my information and told her to tell me my social security number that was suspended. She hung up on me. Definitely a scam!
The two numbers were: 1-800-559-1579 and 1-800-551-3091
January 29, 2020
Received a call that sounded similar to the above recording asking me to press 1 for more information. They called from +1-913-348-7379, Kansas. I only answered because I had recently been on a business trip in Kansas. I did not press 1. I hung up instead.
January 29, 2020
I got a call from 800222-5470 yesterday , robo voice telling me that "due to suspicious activities my social security number will be suspended, press 1 to talk to a representative to fix this problem" , probably more was to come, I just hung up, wanting to play with them, but I was at work.
January 29, 2020
800-999-7399 just called me with the same scam
January 29, 2020
(888)-807-8003
Robo Call declaring your Social Security has been compromised.
Stay on the line and speak to a representative.
(Not a chance. I blocked this one and (888-808-0953)
January 29, 2020
Had it call me twice:
1-800-559-3934
1-800-550-9884
January 29, 2020
Got a call from this number 1-956-335-6154 in Harlingen, TX . An automated male voice left a message saying there had been suspicious trails of information in my name and social security number. The voicemail further stated that if I didn't call him back an arrest warrant would be issued under my name.
January 29, 2020
Got a call from this number 1-956-335-6154 in Harlingen, TX . An automated male voice left a message saying there had been suspicious trails of information in my name and social security number. The voicemail further stated that if I didn't call him back an arrest warrant would be issued under my name.