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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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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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marc Mon't us…
May 05, 2019
got the number/card suspended call hung up after minute, did not speak......
Spicy meatball
May 06, 2019
518 288 5015. Ballston Spa. Suspended SS card. SCAM
Shel424
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Spicy meatball

Thanks for posting this. I just got the same call from the same number in Ballston Spa.
Don't use your…
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Spicy meatball

I just got a call from the same number . They're saying that my ssc is suspended.
California Man
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Spicy meatball

Thank you. I just received this as well. I believe it to be a scam after checking it out. thank you Spicy.
brett
May 06, 2019
scam phone # 877 083-1213 is phishing for soc security #'s
Tammy T.
May 06, 2019
I just received a call from (518) 288-5015. It's a scam!
Flip Aust
May 06, 2019
I got a call from 518 288 5015 leaving me a voice mail using an automated voice saying that my SS was suspended.
me27
May 06, 2019
I just received a call (sent it to voicemail) saying it was the Department of Social Security Administration and the reason for the call was to inform me that they suspended my SSN because they found some suspicious activity. The phone number was 1-888-815-0511
dorothysprague
May 06, 2019
Got a call on my mobile , telling me my ssn had been messed with some way forgot his exact word told me to click one for more info I hung up number was +1 (810. )462 -9006 . Yale, M
Epmax
May 06, 2019
I received a call from 1(518)288-5015 on 5/6/29 stating my SS was just suspended because they found some suspicious activity.
Maril2217
May 06, 2019
1-680-208-0524 Just received a call from this number claiming they were from SSA and I will be imprisoned. I hung up
syeeLA
May 06, 2019
Got a voicemail from +1(518)288-5015 saying I had my SSN suspended.
Hondo
May 06, 2019
I just received a call today about my SSN. They are using the number 518-288-5015 (NY area). They are also saying that my SSN is going to be suspended, but they are asking for you to push 1 to speak with someone.
Teezy
May 06, 2019
Called from #281-648-8779... from somewhere in Texas...almost fell for it but told foreign accent dude claiming to be David Williams... Couldn't understand him, plus sounded like he was in a room full of chatter and couldn't understand him at all like he was reading from a script.. Saying my social was being suspended for fraudulent and criminal activity by 3 people
lifetime
May 06, 2019
Received a call from +1 (518) 288-5015 stating my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity.
prw
May 06, 2019
I just received a scam call from 518-288-5015 Balstan Spa, NY! The same people as above regarding Social Security that are scamming by using FEAR of ARREST if not returning the call. I didn't answer and I won't return the call. Shame on those that work for them and Shame on them to be such deviates in what they do! Stealing is not Okay!!!
Concernedcitizen
May 06, 2019
‭+1 (518) 288-5015‬ This phone number tried to scam me today.
sparkletight
May 13, 2019
I've been getting calls from 518-288-5015 with a similar same scam vm message.
Anonymous
May 06, 2019
Have been getting calls on this matter from 1 888 815 0526 Got 3 voicemail over a period of 1 week.
Beware
May 06, 2019
They are now calling from (518) 288-5015. I did not pick up because my AT&T caller ID said it was a fraud risk
SFcellrecip
May 06, 2019
Received call this afternoon from 518-288-5015 using the prerecorded SSA Scam message (call from "Department of SSA" suspending my number because of suspicious activity) that they left of voicemail.
Miya
May 06, 2019
I got a call from 1-888-815-0520 about my SSN activities. just let people know about the phone number !
AK
May 06, 2019
I just got a call but I did not answer it. Then they left voice message and saying that they are calling from department of social security Administration and my bank accounts and SSN will be suspended because of suspicious activity. (Robotic). Number is 518-288-5015. Scam!!! And last year I had another call which I also did not answered. He is saying it is call from IRS. Also the scam!!!
TamGee
May 06, 2019
I just received an automation call telling me there is legal action against my SS number and asked that I call back this number, 1-607-210-8138.
Not a victim
May 06, 2019
I, too, received a call from 518 288 5015 today with this scam.
KathleenA
May 06, 2019
Recent number that just called me was 518-288-5015. Same message. I pressed 2 to speak with some one. A foreign lady answered. I requestes to have my number taken off the call list (just got # today-didnt even get that far) she said no and hung up. You cannot call back. All you'll get is a busy tone.
Don't scam me
May 06, 2019
877-909-3519 scam number...
Dragmite
May 06, 2019
I recieved one 2 times today saying I would lose my ss if I didnt call this # 281-572-0439 when I called an said I don't recieve ss they hung up
recent scam #
May 06, 2019
5/06/19: social security scam call from 518-288-5015
cameraLA
May 06, 2019
Just received a call form 518-288-5015 stating suspicious activity with my SS# and my SS# will be frozen.
unknown
May 06, 2019
Received social security scam call today ( 5/6/19) from these numbers: 518-288-5015
mail@email
May 15, 2019
Just received a call from 518-288-5555 with this scam. They noticed suspicious activity with my SSN and it has now been suspended. Sounds like a robo call recording.
some1234
May 06, 2019
Add a new number - 8772534788
CVP33
May 06, 2019
518-288-5015 Ballston Spa, NY Same voicemail as the example on here.
Carol
May 06, 2019
518 288 5015 IS SCAM. VERY DANGEROUS...PRETENSE OF BEING SOCIAL SECURITY. BLOCKING DOESNT WORK. SOCIAL SECURITY CONTACTS PEOPLE BY MAIL. BE CAREFUL.
Scam from 877-…
May 06, 2019
This is the exact statement from the voicemail they’d left. Called from a Canada area. “_⁠_ benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is as an error you may connect with the legal _⁠_⁠_⁠_ of Social Security administration in order to connect with her Social Security administration office or press one now in case we do not hear from you your social will be blocked _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ to connect now press one and you will automatically be connected with the concern department official…”
JCalOhio
May 06, 2019
Contacted FTC today and filed a report. I talked to 3 different scammers and would’t you guess that non of them wsnted their call to be transferred to another government Agency (FBI)!
Fancygranny
May 07, 2019
Gato: Yes, I’ve also been receiving those same aggravating. And annoying phone calls in the last few days. The scammers are really on the move especially with the seniors . The last number on my list was 1-800-620-3523 so please add that to your numbers of complaints . It has come up several times . Thankfully I am not gullible to stupidity.
Tin Man
May 08, 2019

In reply to by Fancygranny

Just received call/ voicemail saying I should call to avoid prosecution. Called number from another phone and same deal. A lot of noise in background and a voice with a thick Asian accent saying he was “Agent soandso with Social Security”... My caller ID listed: 201-425-3789 Wycliffe, NJ?
cashburn
May 07, 2019
#s. 425 660 9305// 915 613 1379
RuthlessGoat
May 07, 2019
Robotic voice ✔ Sense of Urgency✔ Asks for sensitive information✔ Call from some obscure area code✔ Threatens arrest if you don't comply✔ Scam✔
Mildred
May 07, 2019
Got my first call from the today. Not sure how to report these but that was scary and annoying.
NN
May 07, 2019
‭1 (972) 591-8809‬ is a scam. They are trying to your SS number and Info. Do not give it to them.
wow
May 07, 2019
Just received this scam voicemail - the number was (888) 815-0611
xXLilNickieXx
May 07, 2019
I recieved a call from 210-361-5540. I called back and they said they were going to suspend my social security number. He wouldn't say his name clearly and kept asking for information I knew then it was a scam. As soon as I said I know your trying to scam me he hung up. Now the number is always busy.
glv
May 07, 2019
Received a similar call on my phone.