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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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Social Security Impersonators
Amal
September 15, 2020
Received a robo call from 817-471-1924 regarding my social security. Please do not accept calls from this number.
Weed4All2020
September 15, 2020
I live in Kentucky and I'm getting these pre-recorded messages from the phone number 1631 506-4387 saying they are from the IRS and my social security number as fraudulent acts in Texas to please contact them be aware of this number and remember Social Security will never contact you buy a pre-recorded message or text
James
September 15, 2020
Is there not anyway for the government to track these people down and stop this scam. I have gotten 5 calls just this morning.
hawaiiandude24
September 15, 2020
I have been getting calls from a hispanic woman about social security. It goes like this, "esta es una llamada ... oprima el numero 1 para ser transferido. In English it says, "This is a call.... press the number 1 to be transferred. It then gives you the option to press 2 to stop getting calls. And it does not work. So today I called them and the lady hanged up on me. I tried calling back and supposably they said wrong number.
Sleepyne
September 15, 2020
Got this call today. Number that was used is 504-228-5815. Figured it was a scam and hung up. Sounded just like the recording.
Sam
September 15, 2020
Add 817-646-5135 Got a robot call stating I was involved in fraudulent activity regarding my ssn and social security will be pressing charges. Then it asked me to hold for a representative.
phil123
September 15, 2020
got a call today from1-833-317-0259 saying something about suspious activity and my ss number was linked to laundry money
Roonedoggie
September 16, 2020
Got the call today, 4 times asking me to call back. 507-593-7110 is the number I had on caller id. Just informational
AK
September 16, 2020
Just received one of these calls today so unfortunately it looks like these scam calls are still happening so please be aware!
Komran
September 16, 2020
I don't know if I was lucky or this how they get your last 4 digits of SS number I received a call this morning the caller ID was ‭+1 (215) 478-7872‬ I answered and the caller identified himself as a Social Security Administration agent The reason I answered the call because the caller ID was local and I have an active transaction with SSA I am receiving disability benefits and in process of completing an update on my disability condition and I communicated with the local office a few times in the last month in the course of completing the forms they sent. So I thought it could be related and was worried my benefits get effective. I asked him which office he replied Austin Texas. he then asked my name to pull my file I gave him my name he read my address correctly I did not give him my address. he asked the last 4 digits of my social security number I gave him the numbers only last 4 digits. he then said are you sure? it is not and he repeated my last four digits but one digit was not correct. I replied no not correct. He then he said why are you lying I replied why I am what “lying” he hang up the phone. I realized then it may be a fraudulent call I did not expect an SSA agent to call me a liar. I was going to hang up at that point but they did themselves I check on the internet and found others revived similar calls the same number and they are a fraud. I thought to share the experience. I don't know if they now have my correct last 4 digits or i was lucky or they do it intentionally at leadt i did not give them money but i am concerned.
Tired of calls
September 16, 2020
This number came up 914-339-9635 but when I looked it up it is a persons number. Not sure if that person made the call, but anyway it is not the SSA the message also sound like a real person not a robot.
Cjw212
September 16, 2020
The scammers are now using local numbers as well
DH
September 16, 2020
I have been getting a call from 1 631-048-6222 saying that my social security number has been used for fraud and will get suspended. I just hang up!! But so many people will answer and give information. Please don't give your information to these recordings. I'm sure if it was real a real person from social security will call you and contact you through mail with legit letter head!
Stewart London
September 17, 2020
Someone called me from 832-297-6308 saying I had different accounts in my name and found a stolen car asking for my bank account information. And wanted me to get some gifts cards to pay them. A SCAM!!!!!
Patrick
September 17, 2020
Receiving such calls almost everyday. Very annoying. Always from a different phone number mind you. Their recording is way better made than the one on this page. Still, any call that comes with a ANY form of threat is highly suspicious. "We will suspend your social security number" right lol yeah sure. I just let those messages go on and on until THEIR machine hangs up. Even if a real person picks up the call, I don't say anything and wait until their drop the line. This makes the scammer's calling computer waste some time, 10000 times better when it is the way more "precious" time of a real person scammer going on the call. This helps in reducing the overall number of people getting such scam calls. I don't recommend baiting the scammer, that is a job for professional scammer baiters and an amateur faces real risks in doing that. You'd think that if a REAL criminal activity was involved with my SSN, a real person would call, not a bot! And the caller would have my full information on hand, I wouldn't have to provide anything. Heck even when my bank calls, I DON'T GIVE ANY INFO. ZERO INFO! Instead I just say I am not comfortable talking to a potentially unknown caller, and ASK for info about the issue, then I hang up and I personally call the bank, using the web to find the number. and validate whatever call back number they gave me. Employees at real banks know this procedure really well and always readily agree that this is a secure way to handle problems. They will never put pressure to solve the issue immediately, either.
Newly widowed
September 17, 2020
I have gotten 3 calls this week talking about seizing my SS money due to my drug trafficing and money laundering in Texas using an Enterprise rental car that was a Toyotta Corolla. These calls all threatened me of going to jail and seizing my money.
livinthelife20
April 08, 2021

In reply to by Newly widowed

oh wow i just got the same exact call, same car, same state, same crime, he was going to give me a new social number so they could track down the real criminal. I just laughed and hung up the phone, but not before he told me he was going to put me in custody.
lauri
September 17, 2020
also 1-800-330-7318 is a phone number riming with fraud.
Julie
September 17, 2020
Got a call from Texas yesterday and Corning,NY today.
Liveoakfl
September 17, 2020
The number that called me was +1-386-438-6600 with the same automated voice.
Sophie Not-a-Sucker
September 17, 2020
I'm getting several calls a day from different numbers in Loveland, CO. They all begin with (970)775- .... I wasn't answering and they never left a msg, so I finally answered and it was one of these scam calls about my SSN, with threats, etc. SO FRUSTRATING because it doesn't do any good to block them -- they just use another number and keep calling. I'm talking 4-5 calls a day. I have a 970 phone number so they're using numbers that look local to you.
vachkhani
September 17, 2020
I received call from 833-312-0845 with arrest warrant.
Kirito1558
September 17, 2020
i just got a phone call from a local phone number (puerto rico) september 18 2020 that my social security was cancelled
medicate fraud
September 17, 2020
received a call from 239-450-5782 who said he was with medicare and asked about my arm - i had a problem in truth. i guestioned who he was and he gave back my birthdate ... and insisted medicare to see if i received ''a massager'' from medicate. i never ordered one, so no reason to believe call. he insisted he was with medicare and said i should call back 205-530-5982 for verification. had to be a scam.
Don't use your…
September 18, 2020
Just got a call from 1-469-281-2751. SSA. Scam!
Btague
September 18, 2020
So before we go ahead legally blocking your Social Security number so kindly press one to connect to the office better I repeat kindly press one to connect to the officer thank you and have a blessed day…” WHY AM I GETTING THESE MESSAGES ON MY PHONE?
Do use your e-…
September 18, 2020
+1 (800) 330-0461 Thank you Scammer, Very cool!
JL
September 18, 2020
‭+1 (706) 890-7955‬ Cusseta, GA Scam for SSnumber
I LOL
September 18, 2020
I'm ecstatic my social was suspended. I guess now no more taxes are due.
jimisturgeonsm…
September 18, 2020
what do we do if we gave him information??
Jen
September 19, 2020
So I have been getting phone calls the last couple of days stating that my ssn is about to be suspended due to criminal activity and there telling me to call them back it sounds like a recording that called me this last time. I have recently was talking w someone online for almost a year so I wondering if hes involved in a crime and trying to scam me and using something to try to use my ssn should I call these people back it really worries me.
1231
September 21, 2020
Yes received this Fraud call today. +1 443 384 1881
covi
September 21, 2020
202 773 2223 seems to be the latest scammer #
Momma raised no fool
September 21, 2020
512 204-0652‬ From Austin, TX called indicating SS had detected criminal activity on my account to press one to speak to an agent about it. I hung up.
rosiered
September 21, 2020
Have received 4 calls an hour all stating the same thing as the recording found on this page. The phone number they are demanding I call is 380-900-7479. This is insane and the calls just keep coming and even on my voicemail! DON"T CALL BACK!
Jail all scam …
September 21, 2020
More SS rip offs - another SS scam about SS in PA looking to suspend your benefits - the call back # is (223) 221-9207 called twice both time went to VM - don't waste time picking up the phone.
Don't use your…
September 22, 2020
I got a call today saying that is Was ssa and that they were an agent then they proceed to tell me that there has been so kind of something filed against me in fedarel court and that I had several bank accounts in Texas opened in my name and ss number I've never even been to Texas also the account s are being used for money laundering they didn't ask if r my SS number but told me not to tell anyone bout it right now cause the person or people could get away and that the call was record for evidence to prove it was me when we hung up the phone to called the bank mber back and it wasn't the number to who it said they were it was somebody totally different is this a scam
Trina45
September 22, 2020
I just received a call from Greece and the message gave a totally different call back number that said if I don’t return the phone call a warrant would be issued and my ssn# would be suspended
Luv lee 75
September 22, 2020
Got two calls about my social security having legal complaint and wanted to verify number 732-712-4550, 732-712-3396
Scam calls in IL
September 22, 2020
Received a call this morning asking for my SSN: Hi this call is from Social Security administration and make sure you had to call is to inform you about a _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_ have received the DMV your Social Security number regarding from fraudulent activities _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ in the state of New York so we need to talk to you within _ possible I _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_ call _⁠_ from Social Security administration and number to reach have an apartment is 518-282-7496 I read that is 518-282-7496 thank you…”
Frank
September 22, 2020
Got the SS phishing messages from the following numbers all in the same day today: 272-208-5139 903-207-8806 612-445-9077 223-221-9689 Don't answer, don't call back, block the number.
Pis’d
September 22, 2020
Received a call this afternoon from 432-287-7130 saying that a “legal enforcement action” is being placed against my SS# for fraudulent activity. The robotic caller threatened legal action if I didn’t return the call. Definitely a scammer!
Deb
September 22, 2020
Scam SSA call came in from 463-215-0823. I'm sure it was a scam because the SSA would never call me on my work only cell phone that has none of my personal data attached to it. Also the SSA or IRS would send a certified letter if there were any significant problem.
na
September 22, 2020
1-833-378-0415 Social security scam number call received 9/22/2020. Asking for personal information
Leardon
September 23, 2020
just received a scam call like this from this number this morning. 3479090273
VERN-OLOGY
September 23, 2020
CRACKED ME UP... "..we will issue you an arrest warrant & get you arrested." SCAMMERS & ALL ASSOCIATES need serious jail time.
Flipper1954k
September 23, 2020
Got a phone call from2702834422 saying that my card had been suspended asked for my last 4 digits of social security number hung up on them and blocked number
I am not a robot
September 23, 2020
Same thing "your social security number has been compromised". From two different numbers (718)302-6497 and (718)509-5821
maymcg
September 23, 2020
I received voicemail from 8025287896 telling me to veryify the last 4 of my social security and if I didn't, they were going to have the police issue a warrent for my arrest. they didn't say who they were and they never said my name. I don't know if this is a scam or not please help.
Frustrated Citizen
September 23, 2020
I have received 5 phone calls today all robotic stating its from Social Security Administration and I have suspicious activity on my SSN. They are going to call the Suspend IT and I needed to hold for a representative. I do and that person has an Indian accent. I tell them it is a scam and stop calling me. Each time they call it is from a different local number. I call the number back and it belongs to a real person with no accent.
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