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
October 22, 2020
This number call claiming to be the social security department this afternoon (28127077955) it was automated and did not sound legit. It said it was from Houston, Tx. on the caller ID.
October 23, 2020
I am not getting daily calls. Why doesn't the FBI put a stop to this. Surely the FBI has access to the phone companies networks. Trace back and catch the crooks!
October 23, 2020
I just got a call this morning around 6am from 204-319-8533 and it's pretty much ver batem what the voicemail sounds like. "My ss# has been suspended and they're going to put out a warrant or something if i don't get back to them at that #"
October 23, 2020
I have now recieved this call twice I am sure it is a scam . Here is the number 4259061070
October 23, 2020
Just wanted to add two more numbers to this list of scammers:
(310) 725-7366
(310) 720-7632
Geez. I'm sick of this - I've gotten several of these calls and I still get a jolt everytime
October 23, 2020
They call me today 10/24/2020 from +1 (915) 800-4727, watched people
October 23, 2020
I get at least 3 calls a month saying the same thing always from the same number 6786682577 it gets old, but what can you do except hang up? It's becoming the norm so if I don't know the number I'm not answering, and that's my best advise get caller Id and just don't answer.
October 24, 2020
I have received in excess of 30 calls relating to this scam.
October 24, 2020
i got a phone call from 919 750 7130 saying that my social security was detected to fraud and they were suspending my social security
October 24, 2020
I received a call from 1-888-237-7262. The recorded voice on the other end said my SS account would be suspended because it was suspicious. I hung up before hearing the rest of the message.
October 26, 2020
I just got a call from someone saying they are the SS office, saying my social was used in fraudulent activity all he did was ask me to confirm the last 4 digits of my social and I did and he hung up in my face should I be worried? Oh my lord
October 26, 2020
The scam call came from 347-983-0283. They claim to have my information and that the FBI is going to show up to my house to serve me with papers. Claiming they do not know the corporate. They have an accent from another country maybe India.
October 26, 2020
I just received a call from (978) 918-7420 stating that my social security number was being suspended because of an arrest warrant in Texas where they (supposedly) found 10 Bank accounts in my name, 9 credit cards in my name, and drugs were found as well. They gave me a badge number, officers name, and an arrest warrant number. At first I thought it was real and my identity was stolen, but then the man on the phone (Indian accent) told me that I would have to pay $1,000 to not have my social security number suspended or cancelled, and he started talking about gift cards etc, at that point, I knew it was a scam
October 26, 2020
I just received a call from 662-650-3407 that was a SS Scam. It was a machine that asked me to press #1 and it transferred me to a gentleman with a Middle Eastern accent giving me the name "Officer Mike Tomlin". He asked for my name and my SS#. When I would not provide the SS #, he instead asked for the last 4 digits. When I would not provide that he hung up and I reported the issue to the Attorney General's office.
October 26, 2020
I just got a similar call but different the number is 3607084361 claimed that they have stopped my social security number because criminal charges are pending in Texas be cautious after I told him they called and used the same scam he said sorry baby I'm not sure what I'm talking about huh?baby and he had a very strong accent!!!I'm so tired of these people who have to hurt innocent people who have earned their money and that really need the help so if they're reading this if you continue to steal you will be judged not only by the law but our creator will have his judgement on the day you pass over after life so stop doing wrong and make up for your mistakes it's not to late
October 26, 2020
Fake SS department called 574 825 4817 left threating message
October 26, 2020
I just got a call from Officer Joseph Williams. Problems in TX associated with my SSN. He gave me a call back # of 813-006-4823. He called on 613-621-1673
October 26, 2020
I just got a voice message on my cell that sounded so similar with a persuasive mail voice. First thing I did was look up social security phone call with the callers number on it via a web search on the intenet. Your link popped up and described the scam. Thank you for reassuring us to never give out our SS#. This is also the same message I get from my credit card companies, they also say NEVER give out your cc # and we will never call you asking you for it. I feel so sorry for all the people that got hooked in. On another issue my old laptop froze up and I got a call from some company that basically sold me a security system for my laptop for $400 that is basically a scam too. I know I need to look things up on the 'Net always beore. getting hooked. Be skeptical folks there are a lot of dishonest people out there who are basically thieves. Thank you FTC for posting this information.
October 26, 2020
About his suspension notice ___ received against your Social Security number regarding some fraudulent activities are running in the state of Maryland so we need to talk to you as soon as possible I repeat this call is from Social Security Administration the number to reach an apartment is 410-705-6013 I repeat that is 410-705-6013 thank you…”
October 27, 2020
August 31 2020
A person stating they were from Social Security called me that they had found my name or paperwork with my name on it and arraigned in Texas by the FBI and U.S.Marshall then the person was asking me about my social security number Which I did not give and my bank account and I did not give them that information either so I reported it to the social security location of phone city Momemce the of kankakee county Illinois the phone number 815-450-5378
William Ahrens
Rapid City SD
October 27, 2020
Oct. 28, 2020 Just got a robo scam call from 323-642-1813 saying they were the Social Security administration.
October 27, 2020
They called from this number: 915-700-9311
Used a female computer generated voice and said: "...urgent to hear back from you before we proceed further with suspension of your social and assets. Press one to speak to officer."
October 27, 2020
got call from 1800 286 3731 with a robotic voice talking about social insurance number
October 27, 2020
I have received 10 of these calls from 732-860-5449 stating my ss# is suspended and if I don't f/u they are issuing an arrest warrant under my name and I will be arrested . So incredibly frustrating.
October 27, 2020
+19789611532 called me also same scam
October 27, 2020
Received same call today from 303-720-5102
October 27, 2020
Received a text on 10/27/20 from # 304)362-0793 requesting updated information and to call 405)594-7873.
October 28, 2020
I just got a call from +12253200619 stating her name was Jennifer Walker from Social Security wanting to know my name so i hung up.
October 28, 2020
I just got a phone call saying the same thing. When I told them I was going to give them that info they hung up on me. I call the number back and it was a text now #.
October 28, 2020
I got ssn scam calls from different numbers , they asked as our details, but I told I don’t wish to to give my details and they suddenly cut the calls . Please beware any one who receive call like this.
October 28, 2020
I received ssn scam call from many numbers , one of the number I received today is 201-913-5291
Please beware
October 28, 2020
I've gotten about 8 calls in the last 2 days. They all start with 248-892-XXXX I started writing down the ending numbers: 8140, 5016, 3279, 2255, 9224, 2494 & 3462. I answered 1 call yesterday and then hung up after I heard a similar recording. Now the calls keep coming and I just block the numbers after each call. My cell starts with similar numbers - I wonder if this is part of the scam - to make you think its someone you know or something.
October 28, 2020
Just received this same recording from 310-906-3517
October 28, 2020
I got 2 separate calls today about this. One from the number 832-687-5096 and 278-362-6874792 (Yes, I know how many digits a phone number has. Irritating.
October 28, 2020
Recently, they have used this #: 18003909043. They left a VM saying that a claim has been filed against you and your soc sec #--however due to covid-19: it has been suspended until a future date--you are required to call our firm regarding this matter. Press 1 to speak to a live arbitrator.
October 29, 2020
360 430 6908 same thing
October 29, 2020
I received a call from 805 area code. when I asked for them to explain, they hung up.
October 29, 2020
Someone left a message on my answering machine with this same SSA scam information today. The callback number that he left is 562-414-4172.
October 29, 2020
Warning: Call arrived at 3:52 pm on October 29,2020
The phone number for this social security scam received was 1-470-419-6099.
October 29, 2020
I just got a call from a local area code 517-945-9028 which is in the area of my local social security office so that's why the startled me a little bit because it would be coming from that possible area with a 517945 xxxx. But they said that they've noticed some suspicious activity on my account and will be suspending it to please press one to speak to a supervisor. That's absolutely ridiculous.
It's still shakes you up though because right now I'm actually technically homeless although at the very moment I'm at a friend's house I'm waiting on a house to close and if anything did happen to my social security I would be totally screwed.
October 29, 2020
i just received a call from 623-670-3504 saying the same thing. told me my ssn was suspended due to crimes done in texas. and then i hung up and they tried to call back multiple times from 210-904-0602.
October 29, 2020
I received a phone call from 423-427-4164 Johnson City, TN stating that "This call is from Social Security It is urgent that you give us a call back immediately or your SSN will be disabled." I called back, they asked me for the last 4 of my SSN. I refused, and told them since they called me they should know my SSN. I told them that I worked for Social Security and they just started talking vulgar to me. Please be on the look-out for this scam
October 30, 2020
+1 (915) 268-0203 Phone number called to get info. Please share and get these scammers
October 30, 2020
They are still trying - The phone number was 813 345-5074 - no one picked up but the recording was the same as above. When I tried to call back it states its a Kidney foundation. Do not give your info up.
October 30, 2020
I received a robocall just now from someone claiming to be with the SSA and that I need to call back before legal action is taken against me for Social Security Fraud. The phone number is (346) 293-7386.
October 30, 2020
833 560 0706 called me saying there was suspicious activity on my account lol. Please. I picked it up to humor myself
October 30, 2020
Just got a call from 202-894-9649 with same automatic msg. I called back and they wanted to verify info. Beware!
October 31, 2020
I got a call from (410)815+4713 claiming to be the Social Security Administration. Lucky I was in an elevator at the time and the call dropped.
When I tried to call the number back I couldn't.
I did report it to SSA as a scam as soon as I was unable to call the number.
October 31, 2020
The recording on this site is the exact one I received. Saying that my Social Security number had been suspended and Threatening me with arrest.
November 02, 2020
Received a call from 516-677-4438. The individual had an Indian accent and indicated his name is William Richardson. Why isn't the government doing anything about this?