Skip to main content

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
imposter
scam
Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators
Geek_Girl
August 31, 2020
Just got one saying my SS number had been suspended...as I was hanging up, I think I was being threatened by the FBI. Oh well...
Shelad06
August 31, 2020
Just got a scam call from 979-291-5037. Of course my soc. sec. # got suspended and a warrant for my arrest. How do you suspend a SS#?
Seitz1990
September 24, 2020

In reply to by Shelad06

Same phone call from same # just 14min. ago. You can't suspend a social. Also it's from Texas # and I haven't been to Texas in 6 years.
MxYz Pdlk
August 31, 2020
+ 913-348-7526 (Kansas) - recording about SSN activity. Upon trying to get them to pick up with option 1 "talk with an officer" the line just disconnects (note - be careful doing this - offer no info - the goal is to get info from them). Attempts to call the number back ring busy & immediate disconnect - obvious fraud.
Ssa-assist
August 31, 2020
Just received scam call from 843.345.5479. Contents are: “Regarding the legal enforcement action executed under your Social Security number for suspicious and fraudulent activities _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ in the state of Texas and we just suspended your Social Security number ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense this is the final attempt to reach you so if you want to know about this case just press one…”
mamma1
August 31, 2020
Received a call stating from SSD and that my social security number has been used in TX.
BenT
August 31, 2020
Go one of these calls - very convincing - They gave me names and Badge numbers - told me that someone had used my SS to rent properties in Texas. As I talked with them, 2 things stood out.- how much personal information they had on me, and that they gave me very western names with very Indian accents. While talking to them, I googled the number and it came up as a scam number, which I repeated. They put me through to a US Marshal (and that number was spoofed to the actual US Marshals office) My experience - I went in thinking it was a scam, they convinced me for a short period of time that it was not a scam (due to the amount of personal information they had) And then I resolved that it was a scam because: SS department will never call you to tell you that you are the suspect in a crime. As we talked, they ramped up the fear talk - working hard to convince me that I was now a suspect in an international crime. To get a new SS number, I would have to stay on the line for 2 hours while they got all my information in order to change over my SS number. Longer story short: If a call comes in from a number that is not identified, don't bother to answer. Don't call back on a message left. If the federal government calls, it's not a robo call and it will never be to tell you that they think you committed a crime. Number can be spoofed. Don't ever give personal information out over the phone. Ever.
long and out u…
August 31, 2020
i just got two of the scams in one day, the girl has called me without a message but today threaten to suspend my ssn and the guy threatened that and have me put in jail.
toomuch
August 31, 2020
I got one from the phone number of 660-537-7890.
Bunny
August 31, 2020
I received two calls from 209-310-0527 today. The first the man said he was a police officer but didn't give his name so I disconnected the call. Fifty minutes later I get the second call and it's about legal preceding involving my social security number. Both times they ask that I call them.
suzymandias441852
September 01, 2020
I just received a SCAM call from 617-723-6990 - BEWARE THESE SCAMMERS!!
Ash74Moneyy
September 01, 2020
I live in NH and got a call from 603-361-6650. Very generic message saying there is suspicious activity involving my ss number. If I don’t get in touch with them there will be a warrant out for my arrest, blah blah blah. Says to press 1. I did just for the hell of it and a man with a VERY heavy Indian accent answered. I laughed and hung up.
bschill
September 01, 2020
I received one of these calls today.
LAMB
September 01, 2020
360-610-5582 Telling me my social security was being under investigation for some one using my ss# in Texas. I quickly looked it up on the web and found this site right away. I stayed silent on the phone and they hung up before I could.
Sam
September 01, 2020
I received an SSA Scam recorded call today from 215-770-9212 (went to voicemail): Hi, This call is from Social Security Administration. The nature behind this call is to inform you about the suspension notice we have received against your Social Security Number regarding some fraudulent activities running in Washington, DC. so we need to talk to you as soon as possible. I repeat this call is from Social Security Administration, the number to reach our department is 202-773-1006 I repeat that is 202-773-1006, thank you.
tax free
September 01, 2020
I got a message today like the others I've been reading about here. The number is 269-720-3957. The robot says that my SS # is suspended??! WOO-HOO! Now I don't have to pay taxes!!! All seriousness aside, I know these are scams and the first time you here one it's a bit alarming, but Either ignore them or report them to the SSA.
anonymous
September 01, 2020
I just received this scam call. The guy was pretty aggressive and knew quite a bit of my personal information, including address. When he asked me to verify the last four digits of my SSN it triggered me to start asking questions like please provide me with an official government number I can call back to verify what you're telling me. The scammer who had a difficult-to-understand accent said his name was Dave Brown. He said I had been linked to illegal activity in El Paso, Texas involving the transfer of money across the boarder. He said my SSN was suspended and that a U.S. Marshal and SSA officer would be coming to my home in person tomorrow to go over all of my assets to verify that the vehicles and accounts used for crime were not mine. Two other calls were coming in at the same time, supposedly from Texas State Police and U.S. Marshals office. Here were the numbers I recorded: SSA Representative Dave Brown 951-365-6489 (Dave called from 865-482-3870) Texas Officer "Dean Morris" 512-601-0838 (Officer call originated from 512-424-2211) Be sure to call the SSA Inspector General at 800-269-0271
KDavis
September 01, 2020
I have been called 3 times today from 214-564-7403 claiming to be the SSA.
Voice Mail Scam
September 02, 2020
Received call, I do not answered calls with numbers I don’t recognize. I listen to voice mails and knew immediately it was a scam. Recording said, “ call us back @ 9091308-2828, again call us back on our number 909-308-2828. Officer Smith from SSA social Security Administration. Thank you”.
sandy
September 02, 2020
maybe if everyone calls this number the scammers wont be able to scam huh? 415 5348042 this is a recent number received by a senior cit. who had enough! wed 9/2/2020
Francolucho
September 02, 2020
I have received two bogus phone calls today from 202-773-1336 and 202-773-1278 claiming to be form the SS office and wanting me to know that there is "suspicious activity" regarding my SS account. It is a computer generated voice and not a real person. Beware
Lightning McQueen
September 02, 2020
618-806-2210
Skippy
September 02, 2020
Today these clowns were the Federal reserve investigating a fraud account and wanted to ask me for information in aiding them in the arrest of said individual. Just press "1" and stay on line ..... form phone 425 931 6643 Click
Bryan Kelly
September 02, 2020
Asked me to call back a 833-467-0091 to verify my social security number
Just Been Called
September 02, 2020
A caller using the number 317-954-9812 just called me with the you will be arrested scam. Please stop these scam robocalls.
No Name
September 02, 2020
I'm getting these STUPID CALLS 2 and 3 times a day
Lulu Johnson
September 02, 2020
I've had two recent call from the "social security" saying that my social security is about to be suspended and that they will be issuing a warrant for my arrest, etc.
Marlboro
September 02, 2020
I received a call today from 469-257-4021
murchmar
September 03, 2020
I have been receiving at least four calls a day. They are using local phone numbers. I hang up every time.
manley
September 03, 2020
I haven't lost any money, but I get these calls 3 to 4 times a day now.
Block 3475878495
September 03, 2020
‭+1 (347) 587-8495‬， this morning got phone call from this number . Said he is from social security center , he is officer John alley . He knew my name , asked me do you know your SSN related criminal record? I said no . He said so someone steal your SSN . I asked what’s my SSN ? He couldn’t answer . I said I am driving, my English not good , can I call you back ? What is your police officer ID number ? He said yes yes this is my derecotr number you can call . I asked you said you are police officer, right ? What’s ur police officer ID number ? He said oh SA 7076 ...... totally fraud !
Ladyrowan
September 03, 2020
Received a scam phone call just like this this morning
Cory's Furgason
September 03, 2020
New number 1-202-773-1378 for Social Security scammers. (as of Sept 3,2020) A chopped together tape recording. Social Security WOULD NEVER CALL. They send letters!
spam buster
September 03, 2020
Call From: "SHARPTOWN MD" <4108835449> on Thursday, September 03, 2020 at 11:22:58 AM, duration: 0:32 Need you to get back to me on my Department division toll free number that is 410-883-5449. I repeat 410-883-5449. Verify the last four digits of your Social Security number when you call to better assist you with this issue. Now if I don't hear a call from you, we will have to issue an arrest warrant under your name and get you arrested. So get back to me as soon as possible. Thank you.
nellyS
September 03, 2020
Got a Called from number 315-742-2221. saying, hello this is a pre-recorded message form Social Security administration legal department the reason for this message is to inform you that ----blank assess apartment is filing a lawsuit against you and a arrest warrant has been released on your name due to legal enforcement actions filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activities to get more information about the case file and arrest warrant from the federal database to speak with the agent press one for further information. Robotic and annoying.
Xcom45@
September 03, 2020
Add two more numbers to the listing. 312-876-6745 312-445-3049
Jdukes
September 03, 2020
They just contacted me from 225-354-4124 telling me this
tinkerbell
September 03, 2020
how do i stop these calls i have got 7 of them so far today sept. 2 2020 they are driving me nuts
nnmvu
September 03, 2020
I received a fraudulent call claiming to be the SS department. The call gave the number 361-252-9060
cdm
September 03, 2020
I just got this call. How can this scam be going on for a couple of years but they can't crack down on whoever owns this 1-800 number?!
nana
September 04, 2020
I just got a call saying there is suspicious activity on my social security number and to call back at 361-252-9672. I will not call this number.
Don&#039;t use your…
September 04, 2020
Got the same message on my cell phone but from a different phone number which is 1-800-330-7069
HR Bakery
September 04, 2020
Add this number to your list of scammers for this social security scam: +1 (205) 748-3306‬. They called me today claiming I’d be arrested if I didn’t press 1 to be connected to an officer.
Laxgma
September 04, 2020
I received a call from Ohio. I discovered a wonderful feature on my IPhone...if a number calls that has no caller ID my phone does not even ring, but the number records on my “recents”. I always do research but am not under any pressure or irritation from someone I do not know. Then I block the number.
Don&#039;t rayzinku…
September 04, 2020
today is 09/04/20 and I have recieved two different calls today with different phone numbers if this scam here in Md.
Pas
September 04, 2020
I have a call say the i will get in troeblo if i don't call them back the number is 210--866-1155 San Anthonio TX... am not sure what to do now.
Steve43
September 04, 2020
It’s amazing you can’t put a stop to this. If it became a campaign issue it would be stopped quivkly. I am sure if FCC recquied the phone companies to prevent the use of fake numbers they could not do this
DAxpILEmC
September 04, 2020
YAH , THEM SCAMMERS ARE UP TO NO GOOD , TALKING ABOUT BOGUS SUSPICIOUS ATIVITY , YAH , RIGHT !!
Jftitan
September 05, 2020
Got one scammer who is targeting me specifically because I cursed him out. Apparently I hit a nerve by calling out his Social security scam. Since then... he's called me 7 times within the past hour... from multiple numbers. 2102077279, 2108603732, 16158627600,
Report101
September 08, 2020
Hello, I just received one of these scam calls as well. The number that used to call me was +1-606-258-3694... if possible to track them down via this number, that would be great :). I received the call at 11:42 EST.
Return to top