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
September 23, 2020
I received a call today from 610-764-9079 a Norristown Pa # . I did not give any info just hung up.
September 23, 2020
I got a call from 951-772-6164 today (09/23/2020) saying my social security number is being misused somewhere in US. Press 1 to speak to officer.
September 23, 2020
I received a call at 2:50pm on 9/23/20
A female named OFFICER HAYLEY SPENCER badge # 72015
Stating my s.s benifits are being put on hold because someone I’m Maryland is using my identity. She ask for my s.s# and zip code. She called from 18449283632 I’m not sure if this is a scam. She also gave me a case#DMC334 I scream he’d for it on line an nothing came up. Need to know what’s going on
September 23, 2020
Got a call like this (automated female voice) saying that there has been some suspicious activity and that I need to press 1 to talk to a representative. Number was (916) 880-3565
September 24, 2020
I just got a call from a scammer pretending to be part of the SSA. Here's the number from Texas (469) 281-2023
September 24, 2020
This scam is still alive and well. Just received a call from 1-977-114-2298. It went to voicemail and I listened.
September 24, 2020
i received a call saying my social security is going to be frozen un less i call them back with my no.their no is 19780795348 i would not call back
September 24, 2020
I just got this call - Pressed 1 to talk to someone- They asked me for my zip code - I said no- He got super angry and irate and said he is sending the sheriff's department to my home. I'll be waiting, lol.
September 24, 2020
They just called me from 512-312-0033.
September 24, 2020
I have received multiple calls with a womans voice recording stating that there is unusual activity on my SSN, I then hang up on them as soon as i hear it and then block the number and report it to the do not call registry, it is not from an 800 number they call me from Cedar Falls
September 24, 2020
I got a call saying my social security has been suspended because of suspicious activity and asked to press 1. Is this a Scam?
September 24, 2020
Over the past two days I have gotten the pre-recorded scan calls. So far the calls have come from 951-809-2864, 951-809-5259, 951-809-2933, 951-809-9904 and 951-809-8385. I have blocked all these numbers yet of course they come up with more.
September 24, 2020
I got a call saying it was compromised. They did not actually say my number. They asked for my name. I was half asleep and gave it to them then realized what I did. What can they do with that information?
September 24, 2020
I just received that call and just hang the phone up
September 24, 2020
I received a call (CI: 408-425-9252, which is a local prefix), today from someone claiming to be investigating a case that was given to them by the State of TX Court, they knew my name, address and telephone number. I know better than to disclose any personal information but I did engage them to see how much of my personal information they had. The CB number I was given was 866-313-2533, they provided a case #DNC701089 and claimed that 7 bank accounts have been set up using my SSN. They gave me two addresses in El Paso TX that they claimed were associated with my SSN, the criminal activity was drug trafficking and money laundering. The person who called had a very heavy accent and claimed they were originally from Australia. I refused to comply and eventually they hung up.
September 25, 2020
Just got a call from 833-508-1185 left a VM stating " The Social Security administration blocking your SS number on and immediate basis due to fraud on money laundering care so before we activate your arrest warrant please call back on same number to resolve this case file. I repeat call back on same number to talk to SS office to resolve this issue right now".
September 25, 2020
We have received numerous calls from people with a foreign accent saying they are from Social Security and want to know if we received the new plastic medicare card and if we did not they will arrange to have it sent. They address us by name and address but they will never provide a call back number when asked and hang up. Caller ID identified the following numbers:
800-578-6130
760-361-3686
412-743-0181
888-573-3401
503-952-6752
469-401-8162
910-672-6909
270-377-4977
217-286-5497
714-519-8434
503-931-6278
971-286-1491
949-397-1918
516-540-2787
971-470-1814
650-788-5582
503-927-1893
714-812-5329
503-875-7018
September 25, 2020
Looks like this scam is still going....
Just got a call from 317-891-4302 telling me I will be arrested.
Be careful....
September 25, 2020
I got a call from a number in Princeton TX saying if I don’t call back they will issue a warrant for my arrest the number they call from is 1+(469 378-8586
September 25, 2020
Same story here, I kept getting calls from phone numbers similar to min, just the last 4 digits were different. Scamming me thinking it was a local call. Each call was always a different number 4-5 times a day. Several times I pressed one to speak to someone, they said SS office how can I help you. I said, "I don't know, you tell me, you called me," and hey hung up. Finally today I went along with it. Went through the whole spill, gave them a fake name, gave them a fake last 4 of the social, finally got tired of hearing it and told them I would answer anymore questions without my lawyer on the phone. Office Derrick Brown Badge #02940196 told me he would suspend my SS # in 24 hours, and the US Marshall would come arrest me tomorrow on Arrest warrant 02954698 because I had money laundering and drug trafficking activity associated with my SS #. How do you get these phone calls to stop? The guy claimed to be calling me from Rockland, Maine, social secruity office. He even gave me his landline number, 207-594-4984. In an effort to 3 way my lawyer in, I called this number and told him that that number was no longer in service. Detective Brown then tried to trick me and call me from that number, and I answered, and then I attempted to 3 way the call to that number again and told him a 2nd time that number is disconnected. Then he grew angry at me and took me off the recorded line and started cursing at me and hung up.
September 25, 2020
Just received two scams calls in the last hour. Please, add to the scam list:
209 753 4225 (Angels Camp CA)
989 308 1842 (Linwood, MI)
September 25, 2020
Received a call from (510) 626-8276 with the same message. Issue an arrest warrant and get me arrested, huh? hahaha!
September 25, 2020
A new phone number to add to the list. My call came from 630-270-5824.
September 25, 2020
I received automated call from 720-265-5654 saying my SSN under suspicious activity, press 1 to speak agent or something today.
September 28, 2020
SCAM FROM (419) 273-6529
September 28, 2020
Got a call saying it was social security saying I had a suspicious activity I hung up and called number that was on caller id of course wasn't in service number was 304-913-6129
September 28, 2020
Today, I got a second call from inside of the state I live in telling me that my SS# is being used in the state of Texas and that I am responsible for the fraud. The first call I received, I pressed 1 to talk to someone, a woman with a heavy accent came on the line in a very noisy room. I asked for proof of who and where she was calling from and she immediately hung up. Today I received aanother call, again from a number inside my state, and I pressed #1 to talk to a person. A man came on the line with a very heavy accent (and noisy room) and I asked his name and for proof of his identity: Officer Harry Cruz , Badge #412t7305. I asked him to spell this out, he did with the very inccorrect use of military phonetic spelling, C is not for cat! Then he really turned on the charm by trying out a Texas style southern accent (which he forgot until then); hahaha. I asked for a return phone number, and he gave me 919.975.3979 which is not a texas number nor does it have anything to do with the Social Security department. I get how this might seem scary, but come on....do not give out your information at all. When someone from the US government does call, they automatically identify themselves with a name and number and never ask you for your SS#. Stop this fraud by asking questions and never give out your bank or any other identifying information. Take their information and check it out on line and call back if its legit.
September 28, 2020
They called me twice today.
September 28, 2020
Got a call today from 702-412-5253 with this same recording.
September 28, 2020
I just received a call from a 718-578-5762 pretending to be an SSA officer. Apparently there was a case and someone has stolen my identity and my information was involved in drug trafficking. The gentlemen name is Jared Higgins supposedly based in an San Antonio SSA office, however, the number was from NY. When I stated that i was going to involved the FBI since the individual was stating my identity was stolen, they hung up the phone.
September 28, 2020
Phone number 651-402-9187 calling to inform you SS# has been suspended due to fraud.
September 28, 2020
I got this call said my ssn was flaged. I said for what he said money laundrying an drug trafficking. They wanted my number I said no social security don't call people. He said I have a investigation going on you. The police are coming to get you with handcuffs. I said can you tell me something without hanging up on me. He said sure. I told him I looked up his number on line as we talked it says you are a scam. He says well I don't know about that but the police are coming for you. I said tell me why are you trying to rip off honest people who work hard. Why don't you get a job. He started laughing. Then I said well I think its the other way around the police are coming with handcuffs to put you. Not me. He said so u don't want me to continue investigation i said nope I am not worried but you should be. He laughed again and said good by.
September 28, 2020
Yes, I keep getting calls, today's number is 979 271 1546 May these immoral people be caught and prosecuted.
September 28, 2020
Call received from 202-773-2371. Suspending my social security and that I am to contact them at this number.
Is anyone actually doing anything about this, or is this just to make us feel like maybe somebody is?
September 29, 2020
Got a call from 470-450-2702 that sounded a lot like the recording above. I'm glad that most criminals have extremely bad grammar.
September 29, 2020
I am constantly receiving this call, the message is similar but they add a case number. My phone number is on the do not call registry and yet....
September 29, 2020
+1 (443) 384-0484 got a call from this and asking me to call them or else will face some legal consequences. They did not mention any details.
September 29, 2020
Beware of 833-401-0459 "Social Security Number is blocking your Social Security on an immediate basis due to fraud and money laundering case before we activate your arrest warrant please call back on same number to resolve this case file I repeat call back on same number to talk to a Social Security Office to resolve this issue right now thank you" Social Security will never call you.
September 29, 2020
My husband received a call this morning Sept 29,2020 from 678-858-4277 saying his SS has been suspended but then he hung up
September 29, 2020
I am receiving 20-30 of these calls a day on my work cell phone which is on the Do Not Call list. I have to answer every call in case it is a customer. They start exactly at 8 and end in the evening. At least they don't call during the night I guess. Verizon offers no solutions, other than signing up for a paid service which the company I work for is not paying for. This is actually insane that it can be allowed to continue. We are allowing these callers to take down our phone commerce system.
September 29, 2020
800 947 8219 asked for social security number , hung up
September 29, 2020
I got a call today from 332-334-4164 requesting that I Press 1 in order to provide information that is missing for my Social Security account. I remained Silent and the phone automatically disconnected
September 29, 2020
Today Sept. 29 we received a call from phone number 412 385-0390 stating there was an action against my social security and I needed to call ASAP to avoid prosecution. I called the number back and asked about the issue. They said it was money laundering and drug activity and they needed my social security number to look it up. They hung up when I asked questions!
September 29, 2020
I got a call from 909-382-2807 saying that I need to get back to them say my last 4 of social and if I dont they will have a warrant to get me arrested ...
September 30, 2020
I got a phone call from (213-972-7828
September 30, 2020
I had 3 days of callers asking to speak to Chelsey. Nope, not here wrong number. Then they suddenly stop and now scam calls from SS asking me to call them back or I will be arrested. Lol, go for it.
September 30, 2020
I received a called today from 423-427-3403 saying they are calling from the social security office when I called the number back a officer answer the phone I knew that was fake and hung up be careful
September 30, 2020
here's another number 1-210-866-9405 said his nane was Eddie Thomas and his badge number was RM877412
September 30, 2020
I received a phone call today from 832-689-3767 at 9:57am. I received an automated message indicating my Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. I was prompted to press one (1) to speak with an official regrind the matter. I hung up and immediately reported the issue to the SSA.
September 30, 2020
Just hung up with one of these SSA Scammers. Same message about SSI number compromise. Caller ID # 541-653-3280. After the recorded message, a lady with a thick accent got on the line. I let her know she was in luck because she called a business and there are 6+ staff here on site. Because she couldn't NAME the "victim" of the fraudulent activity. I assumed all those extra SSI numbers would help her run her scam. After all, how else would we figure out the mystery?? She hung up. Darn.