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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.

Search Terms
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators

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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.
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Plently of Moxie
May 11, 2019
Received v.mail message saying my S.S. # may be being comprimised? + to press #1 for further info,, Pressed 1 + nothing? Immediately hung up. No trace of this alleged caller was on my phone. WordTo the Wise.
Lenny
May 13, 2019
Hi. My husband just got a call from 877-803-6009. It was an automated call, which told him there had been recent suspicious activity concerning his ss# and that they needed to issue him another number. He hung up and asked me to look up the phone number to see if it was, in fact, a scam. I haven’t seen any scams associated with this particular number, however Social Security web sites clearly states the phone numbers that they would call from and it is not one of those so????
Stop the SCAMMERZ!
May 13, 2019
Received 4 calls from 888-815-0912, 888-815-0906 and 888-815-0908. I did not answer and the voice mail message is a recording that states the SSA is going to suspend my SSN due to suspicious activity.
Socialsecurityscam
May 13, 2019
A 800-878-1165 calls saying there is fraud with your social security number. They ask for your social security to verify the fraud and identify you. DONT FALL FOR IT. ITS A SCAM!
Fontana California
May 13, 2019
I have received the same message from # 724 610-9152. just a few minutes ago.
G Man
May 13, 2019
I received a call from (312) 813-9001 but I didn't answer but they did leave a voice message saying that they are the Social Security and told me to call back regarding a 'claim'. I called that number and a man with a foreign accent answered by saying Social Security Office. I hung up on him.
TILY
May 13, 2019
I received the same call from this number 262-872-0892. Beware of this number. It's the ss has been suspended for criminal activity then they threaten to have you arrested.
another scam number
May 13, 2019
888 815 0920
gsaltz
May 13, 2019
I just received a call, I did not recognized the phone # 724-610-9552 from Greensburg, PA left an automated message stating that I'm suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you this call is from the Dept. of Social security administration the reason you have received this ohone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one than you. The message is atrocious.
RS
May 13, 2019
I got call from this number ‭+1 (888) 815-0921‬ saying my SSN was suspended due to some unauthorized suspicious activities.
Enough
May 13, 2019

In reply to by RS

Just got voice mail from 877-057-2213 saying my social was going to be suspended unless I pressed 1. I did not. And I blocked the number.
MR
May 13, 2019
Keep getting the same call, from different numbers ‭+1 (888) 815-0925‬, ‭(888) 815-0919‬, ‭(888) 815-0912‬ . Getting 3-5 calls a day! It’s quite scary and frustrating!
foxfamily
May 13, 2019
This is the second time I have received a voicemail similar to the above posts. I do not engage. This time the phone number was 888-632-0902. When I googled the number, it actually came up as Aetna Health Insurance phone number.
bekka
May 13, 2019
Just received same call. One they called from 1800-152 7507 and recorded message said “suspicious activity SS blahbla ... press 1 to speak with a representative. The second call from same number few minutes later but left no recorded message.
scam In Fort Worth
May 13, 2019
Received from 941-727-3367 Bradenton,FL Didn’t answer - transcript exactly as stated above.
Johnnyg
May 13, 2019
Got a call from 8001851220 at 1645 this afternoon. Left me a vm, stated same as above. Did a search, SSA came up the above statement. This was on my cell, last week was a call on home phone. Same stuff only from 208 area code. Which is Idaho.
peter
May 13, 2019
call from. 888-815-0920 888-815-0862 888-815-0851 Stated my soc sec was suspended due to suspicious activity and to press #1. 3 calls in 3 days
Marie
May 13, 2019
I got a call earlier # 1800 563 1536 and 1800 587 3213 , left me a voice mail saying my ss# was being suspended for suspicious activity, I honestly freak out , thinking someone has stolen my identity or something , I decided to check this page and find that is a scam going around. Let’s spread the word , so no one falls for it .
Andrew M.
May 13, 2019
I got calls from 2 different numbers saying my ss account was frozen for suspicious activity: 800-787-2200 and 800-543-8513.
cshell
May 13, 2019
Here is another number to look out for 1-800-974-2897 claiming they are from the Social Security office located in Huston Texas, they say your Social Security number has had a criminal activity, this was a real person calling as well wanting all my information.
nguyener
May 13, 2019
I got 2 missed calls from 1-888-815-0928, 1-888-8150915. The message said from Department of Social Security Administration. The reason they called because they they found some suspicious activity.
Tulip
May 13, 2019
I have had several calls from "SSA" today (1 866449 8877) saying my SSN will be suspended, they have seen suspicious activity and ask me to verify my last 4 digits of my SSN. I told them no and they said they would transfer me with our local police department who would then further investigate. When they connected me to my local police department I got disconnected. When I call this number, it does say Washington DC Social Security office and it sounds like a real SSA office.
jp
May 14, 2019
I received several of these calls as well. The numbers are 888-815-0937 888-815-0925 888-815-0919 888-815-0912 That’s 6 calls I received in one day! A couple of the numbers called twice. I’ve blocked them all. Be wary folks, they’re out to get us if they can
nuggets
May 14, 2019
Scam SS call from 800-674-3647.
Bigmix
May 14, 2019
There a new number now that is a A scam. And that is 800-948-6713, if you get this number it’s a scam.
Pat
May 14, 2019
Just received a call from 206 231-6106 telling me exactly what was stated above. A man with an accent left a message to call them back immediately. I don't trust anyone these days, so I just wanted to report the number.
Mark
May 14, 2019
Shoot. I pressed 1 and he said for verification what’s your name. I said if this wasn’t a scam wouldn’t u know my name and he said I just need it for verification and so I said my name and he hung up. Am I screwed?
FakeCall
May 14, 2019
Hi - This morning I received a call from 888-938-7824. It was a robo voice threatening me to call back as there were fraudulent activities reported on my SSN. I am not calling back as it sounded like a fake call for sure. Thanks.
67kay
May 14, 2019
I received a scam call from 888-815-1101
Susan in N Calif
May 14, 2019
Have received the automated voice message re SSA suspicious activity twice. Call back number for this scam is 888-632-0902.
Sandy
May 14, 2019
Like many others, I rec'd a call, male voice, claiming to be from SSA, suspicious activity, account closed, call 530-389-3140 (Alta, CA). If he didn't hear back from me, the police would come and arrest me. Call rec'd at 10:08 am on 5/14/19; reported call to FTC.
MargoC
May 14, 2019
I got a voicemail from 724-610-9552 stating that my SSN was compromised. I did not call back. Just want to put the number out there for others to recognize as a SCAM. Stay safe
Texas 123
May 14, 2019
Just received this call from ‭+1 (877) 102-3213‬
Gaylaon't use …
May 14, 2019
I also received a Robo call from the Social Security administration saying my SS card had been stopped because of suspicious activity. Subject was from India . Said I was under investigation for mail fraud, drug trafficking, having 25 different bank accounts. Said I could pay the legal fees or he would call the police department in my town and they would handle it. Subject very forceful in his manner of speaking, made threats of arrest and jail time. Sounded legit in the beginning and went wrong very quickly.
Eng
May 14, 2019
I got the SSN Scam call today from 209-210-2063. It was all automated.
Jo
May 14, 2019
Just received a voice message that there’s suspicious activity on my credit card and they will suspend it. The number they called is 888-815-1212.
Dipal
May 14, 2019
I got a phone call from 18002775666 and said we are suspending you social security because of some suspicious activities and if you want to know more about it press 1.
Dragonfang
May 14, 2019
I have received a SSN scam number call three times today from the number +1 (888) 815-1228
guardian117
May 14, 2019
I've received the same scam call from (888) 815-1220.
kstrawberry
May 14, 2019
(209) 210-2063 out of Lodi, California has basically the same message on my voicemail.
Melissa
May 14, 2019
Received a call from number 1(800) 722-1213 5/14/19. (I AM FROM L.A.) A man called me pretending to be a SSC representative. He had an indian accent. He told me that my social security number was being investigated and that I wad a warrant for my arrest. Asked for my address and the last four numbers of my social security. I immediately hanged up. When I try calling back the number is disconnected. THIS IS A SCAM!! DO NOT GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION THROUGH THE PHONE!!
From Indiana
May 20, 2019

In reply to by Melissa

Received 4 calls from ‭+1 (800) 722-1213‬ today. Definitely blocking the number now.
Scam
May 14, 2019
Another scam May 14, 2019. Got 2 calls today from two diff numbers. Both numbers posing from Washington DC., saying my social security number is suspended as they found suspicious activity. (1-800-772-1031) and (1-202-318-5640). I let them both go to voicemail. I usually get the "warrant for your arrest" ones, so this was a new one for me. I just blocked the numbers.
BBrown
May 14, 2019
Received six. . . yes. . .SIX CALLS today from a number that included 888-815-1212. Sent to the call to VM each time because I suspected that it was scammers. The robot left a VM saying that their was suspicious activity on my SS# and to call back immediately to clear my name. Needless to say, I will not call back and I will continue to send the calls to VM. It's important to note that once you answer one of these calls, they will increase in frequency, so try not to answer the calls if you can.
Tuan Nguyen
May 14, 2019
Scam calling number is 1-800-643-6121.
Overcomer
May 14, 2019
I get numerous scam calls on a daily basis! There are so many different area codes and phone numbers, I don’t write them down anymore. I never answer the phone for a number I don’t recognize and I never engage in a conversation with the scammer. The amount of time these crooks spend scamming other people, they could get a real job!
Scammer Fun
May 14, 2019
Ladies / Gents leave their call back number on here. The 1-800 number is useful, but I want to call them back and play there game. Its fun to waste their time.
Poesraven50
May 15, 2019
When I got home yesterday (5/14/19) there was a message saying they were from SSI and I was being investigated for suspicious activity. Also that my SSI was being suspended. It is now 10:34 5/15/19 and have put a call into SSI admin. I decided to check the internet and here I am with many people telling their story. Thank you so much everyone, the relief is profound.
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