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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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Shopping and Donating
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Social Security Impersonators
Pnjummm
July 01, 2020
I’ve received an email letter from this email address: facebookdept111@ about some lottery winnings. Is it a scam? They said I have to pay for some hardcover insurance
Mandy
June 02, 2020
Just received a call from 1-443-863-1404. They left a message saying my SSN was going to be suspended for suspicious activity if I didn't call them right away. I googled it right away.
eespindo
June 02, 2020
I received a call today with the same audio, different number. Number that called was: 8335151059
michael
June 02, 2020
Received Similar call from 210 707 4348
Lucky
June 02, 2020
It is a scam. “ Received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for criminal activities. So when you get the message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number 828-888-9305. I repeat 828-888-9305 before we begin with the legal proceedings. Thank you and have a nice day.”
DB
June 02, 2020
They called and said someone in Texas was using my social security number for fraud. I asked them what their company name was and they wouldn't answer, they hung up.
ConcernedCitizen
June 03, 2020
I’ve received a call 3 times today and they even leave messages with a very similar message: Phone number is from Big Pine, CA (760) 263-6705
SmartCookie
June 03, 2020
I just revived a scam call from this number : ‭+1 (267) 846-5443‬ It says it’s a Philadelphia number on my iPhone. The callers voicemail was an automated female voice that didn’t have an accent and she said in the voicemail that I was receiving the call from the SSA because there’s a federal enforcement action filed on my ssn for criminal activity. She said if I didn’t call back there would be a warrant for my arrest and it would go to federal court. I didn’t call back because I immediately knew it was a scam and googled the number and all the search results for that number came up confirming this. Literally pathetic these people are getting away with scanning pekoe and scaring them ... my ss card was stolen not too long ago when I was robbed so for a second there I almost thought “is this true ?” But thank god I used my common sense before calling back , thanks to my online search I know now not to call back bc they could be faking the number somehow and actually be an international number and then you get screwed with those charges on your phone bill.. so messed up.
Yvonne
June 03, 2020
Scam calls from the following number:(937)718-4860 the call is a recorded call saying ur social security disability is about to be terminated.
Kat
June 04, 2020
they called me telling me my social security number is connected to 6 bank accounts and drug selling. I ask if I got to keep the money in the 6 bank accounts and they hung up on me. LOL
DeeBEE
June 04, 2020
I KEEP getting calls from 336-502-0080. No message received EVER. Says from social security. I have two others saying the same thing with different numbers already blocked. 857-356-3734 and 301-786-3298.
DeeBEE
June 04, 2020
I keep getting calls from different numbers saying it is the Social Security Office. I hang up and block them. They never leave a voicemail message. 336-502-0080, 857-356-3734 and 301-786-3298.
MMB
June 04, 2020
This happened to me today from these numbers: 833-589-0790 833-589-0526 888-970-0476 Thank you for confirming this SCAM!
Chisho
June 04, 2020
Received a call from this number 1-833-577-0124. Didn't even give me a full message just told me the phone number to call her back said I needed to give her the last four of my social or 'theyd' have an arrest warrant made out for me.
KleVi3R
June 05, 2020
I just receive a call with the exact audio from 1-855-822-7941.
GRNFLDMOM
June 05, 2020
6/5/20 - I received a call on my cell phone from 317-418-5429 saying they were the US Treasury department calling on a Social Security Fraud and I should press 1 to resolve the issue that it was my final warning. Obviously I hung up the phone but wanted others to be aware they are going around again.
deegee
June 05, 2020
This social security Scammer still trying as of 6/5/2020. Robo call claiming my ssn will be suspended due to misuse. Instructions to call 1(940)226..3154 to reach the agent in charge.
ladypc
June 05, 2020
Got a call today from (267) 846-5984 stating they were from SSA and that my number is being suspended due to fraud. They left an automated message and I returned the call but refused to give them any information and I hung up immediately
VC
June 05, 2020
I just got a call from (267) 846-5984 claimiing from Social Security Administration. It said that they found fraudulent activities on my SSN and asked me to call back. The call was from Philadelphia, PA.
Megablocks
June 06, 2020
So my son is getting calls on his phone from a 210 794 9003 we have never lived in San Antonio or anywhere near it we live in California saying something about legal proceedings and it’s a computer. Called the number back and it says call failed. We won’t pick them up and it’s always the same message. I had this happen a couple years ago on my phone but I actually picked up and it was some foreign guy. Has anyone seen this number. I ran my robo killer and it said it was reported as spam
Munir Ayesha
June 06, 2020
Today at 5:29 i suddenly recieved call from this number 008167037 from osaka shinosaka japan I don’t know what does it’s mean
CMac
June 06, 2020
6/6/2020 I received a voicemail yesterday from 843-376-6089. The caller ID showed Summerville, SC. The recorded message was from a women with an American southern accent. She stated that she was calling from Social Security and that my SS# had been misused by someone in Texas (out of state for me). She said I must call the number above to get it straightened out. I have no doubt that it is a scam to obtain my SS#, but what was surprising was the voice wasn’t the typical robotic voice or one with very poor English. Also, there was no threat of losing benefits, of being arrested or seizing property, which are all red flags. These scammers are apparently getting more sophisticated, so beware.
Javier Rodriguez
June 08, 2020
Got a call today 06/08/20 from 361.217.3805 (Hallettsville, TX) claiming to be SSA. The person was aggressive and disrespectful. Convinced it was a scam.
Al2
June 08, 2020
I accidentally give my last 4 digit security number and other information I didn’t realize what was going on what can I do?
E. B. Caldwell
June 08, 2020
Similar to other complaints. I was told to call 209-554-8051.
MahaSyeda1
June 08, 2020
I just got a call from two different numbers and I got scared so I googled it to see if I was being scammed, well I got my answer.
Scam from +191…
June 08, 2020
I just received a call about SSA from this number. It was a female voice who asked me to call her back. I hung up and blocked the number. Scam number +19163788430
JamieK
June 09, 2020
I just got this call right now, on my cell phone, and it came from the number 1-833-908-4326. Of course, I deleted the message but I feel compelled to share this because many will fall for this scam!
Scamcallwarning2020
June 09, 2020
Got 2 calls and voicemails with in 10 min from same number with identical voice mail 888-229-8406
bozzy1
June 09, 2020
I just received a call from a person with a distinct foreign accent telling me she wanted to help me get social security disability. I never gave her my name but used my first name.
nwtrekker
June 09, 2020
A person with an India or Pakistani accent called at this number: 1-213-337-8763 and the Caller ID said Los Angeles....He left a message that they were the Social Security department. When I called them back they asked for my name, social security number and address. Apparently they couldn't help me unless I gave them this information. However, according to official Social Security advice never give them any personal information..so I didn't and hung up.
Stormy
June 09, 2020
Yep that just happened to me saying that my Social Security number has crime used with it or some sort of fraud and then she asked me what my first and last name was and I said but shouldn’t you have the information she hung up on me I’m getting really sick and tired of these calls. Something has to be done and I’m not stupid enough to fall for something like that and I shouldn’t say stupid cause some people do fall for it and it’s unfortunate but these people need to be stopped I even called the sheriffs department out right live and there’s nothing that can be done just tell people what’s going on so they don’t get duped. I try to do the reverse phone look up thing is I want to know who that number is registered to I want the address I want all the information I can get on it because I want to go after these people
Paul
June 10, 2020
WARNING! A new scam is out, threatening me to get a lawyer and Threatening to contact my employer, (im self employed) they clone caller ID numbers local to us. Southern accent states "hi Im Clark bell with judicial services" threat scam. Report this scam every chance you get. Number they cloned is 813.750.7160 but asks to call their real number at 855.587.9362 . Always report scams to protect the public and catch these losers.
Texas lady
June 10, 2020
This is very frustrating and feels insecure. I constantly receive unwanted calls from random phone numbers. There isn't enough room to list all the numbers I have blocked.
This is a scam!!!
June 10, 2020
The number 202-932-3121 left my father a threatening message about discontinuing his SS retirement benefits. I called the number and someone with an Indian accent answered by saying "Social Security Administration." The real SSA number is answered by a recording so I knew this number was a scam. When I told the man on the other line that this didn't sound like SSA, he hung up on me.
Harvey
June 10, 2020
Just received multiple calls back to back from 281-689-0640, 281-681-8179, 281-506-3746
Kimberly
June 10, 2020
I received a call saying my social security number Was suspended. The call came from a 518 451 5891
Trod2001
June 10, 2020
Just got call from 202-932-3220 saying my ssan# was used in a crime and that they are going to cancel mine if I don't get back to them
Rerivera
June 10, 2020
From Puerto Rico and Just had received two call saying that I committed a criminal activity and that I should call back to: ‭+1 (361) 204-1377‬ and ‭+1 (833) 549-0267‬. And another one from this number: ‭+1 (301) 809-4003‬
Taylor
June 10, 2020
Just got two scam calls about my social security number being suspended today and got scammed the other day I wish we could really fix this cause this is a very hard time and so many people are gullible to this
Beingscammed
June 10, 2020
Got a call from this number (210-794-9096) pretending to be SS office. Said they will send a warrant for my arrest if I don't call back.
Sallylally
June 11, 2020
888-274-2579 this is the number that came through with the voicemail attached above.
Jessie
June 11, 2020
i just received a call like the recording, identical June 11th 2020, i knew this was a scam as the number shows up as a V with a bunch of numbers..... This is horrible as some people will call and give their SSN. this should be investigated more profoundly.
sland
June 11, 2020
252-435-2550 number was used to notify me my Social Security number was being used fraudulently in Texas. I knew it was a fraud. I want you to be aware of it. Happened just before 1:00 today 6/11 also said SS number was suspended ❗️
Patty Patriot
June 11, 2020
Just received a call from 704 530-6058 and the robo called to tell me my SSN was suspended. Once again, some schmuck trying to scam a person instead of getting a real job. Shameful
Catherine
June 11, 2020
I received a call at 1 41pm est. from corona ca They left a voice message saying my social security number was used in criminal activity and call them back @ 19516662349
I found you
June 11, 2020
do not fax anything to 833-902-2530
Mac
July 08, 2020

In reply to by I found you

Who are the people behind the 833-902-2530 number? they just asked my mom to fax her passport, and SS. She didn' t do it because I ran into this FTC page.
The cable Guy
June 12, 2020
The number 1-833-490-0980 is spoofing # 1-933-501-7145 with a fake SSN scam. It states that the agency has noticed fraudulent activity with the SSN and to call 1-833-490-0980 immediately to avoid identity theft.
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