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
December 03, 2020
On Dec 3, 2020 I received a call. The recording stated that my SSN was being used near the border of South TX and that I needed to hold on to speak to an officer about the fraudulent use. I hung up as it was coming from a local phone number.
December 03, 2020
Just recieved phone call (817) 754-1807. The Lady said her name was Cynthia Nelson badge number 02840964, her supervisr name is Jason Hughes. They said that my social security number was invlolved on two counts of drug trafficking and Money laundering in El Paso, Tx. i started to ask her for info on the agencey who is investigating , what was the investigating officers name, what was my social security number that was being investigated, and gues what she said she could not give me that info because we were on a recorded line. HMMMMM i mean how can they ask me for that info on recorded line but yet when i ask them they cant. sounds fishy to me.
December 03, 2020
got this phone call today from 202-788-7606 out of Washington DC.
December 03, 2020
I’m receiving text messages now from this scam Company. I don’t understand why they can’t be stopped. I feel terrible for older folks who don’t realize this truly is a scam.
December 04, 2020
Received this exact auto voicemail from a 267 area code. Something about my SSN being used for illegal activity.
Please don't fall for this anyone.
They are just fishing to see if they get a response and preying on desperate people in desperate times.
Very sad and pathetic. I hope these scammers get caught.
December 04, 2020
I have a recent recorded audio call .. and I don’t know if it is true or not ... is there a way to send it to who ever is responsible ??
December 04, 2020
I received a letter about my social security there is a return address is in Seattle Washington I still have it that is whY I am looking for info .
December 07, 2020
They've contacted me, for the first time, via these two different numbers (281)373-3559 and (281)602-3135. They're now claiming to have an 'officer' to speak to if you press #1, but it's the SAME exact call and automated voice.
December 07, 2020
I've been get 5 of these calls a day since Thursday. The message is similar but the voice has changed.
December 07, 2020
I did receive a call today and yesterday. Do not give any information to anyone over the phone or even in person pertaining to your date of birth, legal name, social security number, legal address, nor even a driver's license or passport information.
There are so many scams going on around the world, the US is very vulnerable at this time and countries know it.
December 07, 2020
I just received a call from a Social Security office stating that suspicious activity and an investigation is going on and that a culprit has used my SS#. The telephone number from this “so called” office is 817-482-5983. I understand it’s a scam. I wish there was a way to arrest them all.
December 07, 2020
Currently receiving recorded messages from the following #'s 601-899-1943 on and 601-899-8376
December 08, 2020
I have a receive the same call and pressed 1. A guy answered and he asked for my name, I gave him my name and then he hung up. What should I do? Will they be doing something to my account from just giving my name?
December 08, 2020
Received a phone call telling me that suspicious activity on my ssc. Due to recent actively the was going to change my SSN.
December 09, 2020
Have been receiving calls that legal action is to be taken, and warrant for my arrest is to be issued. I tried to call the number, and a person with a middle-eastern accent stated they were social security. The number was accidentally deleted, and ATT could not trace it.
December 09, 2020
Getting call saying my social security number has been suspend cause they’ve notice suspicious alert number they calling from us 347-843-2956
December 09, 2020
740-795-8926 For those in the Columbus Ohio area...these scammers will use a number that reflects your local area code. The automated recording said there was fraudulent activity regarding my bank account that will result in an arrest warrant if I do not speak with an officer from the federal government. It then directed me to press one to speak with an officer. That doesnt even make sense as I have no bank account. I didn't believe it for a second but I feel so bad for elderly people who aren't tech savvy enough to know better and lose their life savings. Makes me sick to think about. Please, anyone with elderly family members, warn them of these types of calls so they dont fall victim to these predators.
December 09, 2020
The scammers are working this hard right now. It's a robo call that uses the scam listed above and requires the receiver to press 1 to get more information. I've blocked the number twice now and it keeps changing the number by a few digits so it continues to get through. And it mimics a local number to make it look familiar. It's awful to think some are falling for it.
December 09, 2020
I just got this exact telephone message 12/9/20 14:43 Richmond, Va from
+18045601098
December 09, 2020
I keep getting calls and voicemails from this number
(706)707-7304
(706)707-7315
Is this a scam?
December 09, 2020
I got this same robocall today (I also recorded it)... twice. Once it was a male and once a female. Both area codes are from Texas. I also received a call last month that was a man talking, not a robo call. Is there anything being done about these calls?
December 09, 2020
I receive that kind of calls from 818-886-2295
December 09, 2020
I got a call from 2016826625 claiming to be the social security administartion office and that my ss has been susupended is this true?
December 10, 2020
I just got a call from 540 344 5612. Very bad connection. Female caller with very heavy foreign accent. Said she was from Social Security. Wanted my number. Told her Social Security would not call but would write a letter. She hung up.
December 10, 2020
I just received a scam call. They were pretending to be from Social Security . They said my social security was being suspended because of fraud coming from Texas..The number they used was 740-380-3501. I know this is a scam because this isn´t the number for social security. There has to be technology to stop these scam callers. I´ve already blocked many numbers on my phone. I´ve missed important health calls because they sometimes even use the local hospital number. I never give out any personal information including ss number.
December 10, 2020
adding to list below
+1281-623-4767
December 10, 2020
Just got a call (direct to voicemail) that said they're going to serve me tomorrow between 3 and 5 p.m. at the sheriff's department. Number is 321-758-8759, which is in Miami. (I'm in Maryland.) I'm supposed to call that number for "one last chance" to avoid being served. I might be old, but I'm not stupid.
December 10, 2020
I received a automated voice mail saying my as number is being suspended due to legal inforcemrnt with criminal activity! Pretty sure it's a scam just want to let all see the number of ts coming from! They left this number for me to call 682-816-0457! Beware it's a scam! Never give info out!
December 10, 2020
+1 (202) 953-8288
Just got a call like this from this number
December 10, 2020
+1 (972) 347-4338— received multiple calls from this number saying “your social security number will be suspended/involved in fraudulent activities/involved in criminal activity blah blah..”
Just wanted to make sure and let people be aware of another number these scammers are using. Hope everyone is staying smart and safe out there with all of these scheming indecent humans.
December 11, 2020
I just Got a very similar call. Telling me my SSN is being suspended due to fraud and to press one. I hung up and called back and no answer. The phone number was local too. The number they called from is 1 407 726 0966.
December 11, 2020
Just got one of these phone calls. It came from 404-513-5673. Sounded just like the example recording except it said to push 1 to find out the case details. 12/11/2020
December 11, 2020
just got mine .
December 11, 2020
I have receiving this call for 3 days from this # (818) 539-2595
December 14, 2020
I wish they'd stop calling with these scams 817-816-1046.
December 14, 2020
I am being called 6 to 12 times a day. I have talked to them several times asking them to take me off their lists.
I inform them that I know they are a scam because they will not give me information to contact and visit. I also inform them that when I called the SSA to confirm they said nothing was wrong. I have tried being nice, being funny, being mean, being angry. I don't know what else to do.
The operators deny it. They hang up on me if I start asking for addresses or phone numbers. They never know where I live. They usually don't even put me in the right state. They will not stop calling me. I am missing important calls because of all the scam calls. What can we do?
December 14, 2020
Received the same call regarding fraudulent activity on my account from +1(888)786-8265.
December 15, 2020
I just got this call from 2708732460
December 15, 2020
the minute i said you called me can i have your name and title they hung up--immediately reported them to the SSA scam line--610-401-5898
December 16, 2020
Received a call like this from (631) 315-9668. Be aware.
December 16, 2020
I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALL FROM WASHINGTON DC REGARDING MY SOCIAL SECURITY.. I AM NOT EVEN COLLECTION SOCIAL SECURITY... THE NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS 202 301 6041
\202 9352153
December 16, 2020
Just heard a voicemail stating suspicious activity with my social security number. It is suspended until I call back at 202-301-6113. Of course I did not call. It makes me angry when someone out there is trying to scam me. Just wanted to report they are still out there trying to scam people with scare tactics.
December 16, 2020
Received call. 951-638-2377. Stated was from Corona Ca Police Department. About Social Security account. Unauthorized activity . Need to speak with deputy in charge. The number IS NOT the Corona PD. The number shown on caller ID is disconnected.
December 16, 2020
I keep receiving a phone call from 3132636597 with the following message and it's been going on for months now
Phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity. So when you get this message kindly call back that would be earliest possible. Our number before we begin the legal proceedings that is 313-263-6597
December 17, 2020
1-661-249-3855 is now calling me in Canada - & we don’t even have Social Security Numbers!
December 17, 2020
I just got this call from 1-919-577-6840 from Fuquay-Varina, NC
December 17, 2020
425-528-9505 Renton WA - Social Security Scam call
December 17, 2020
I received a call tonight saying that my social security number was tied to several serious crimes including drug trafficking & money laundering. The initial number that contacted me was 301-498-2061. I was then transferred to 915-200-3233. They asked me to send funds to $Robert 4689 via CashApp because my accounts were going to be frozen. Be careful out there!
December 19, 2020
915-642-0879 left me a message a few days ago saying that my SSDA benefits had been suspended. It was a recorded message. I tried calling the number back but it want go through.
December 22, 2020
These scammers called my cell phone today. I answered because I was expecting a call from a new patient.
They started out telling me about problems with my soc. sec. number. That I needed to log-in to some address and fill out the form and enter a credit card number.
The scary part was that if I refused to do this within 3 hours, my car would be "picked up." And then proceeded to tell me the actual year, make, model, and license plate number of my car.
How did they get that information?
I contacted the Indianapolis police dept. and an officer came out to file a report.
This is getting really scary!