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 ftc.gov/complaint.
8,513 Comments
In reply to I too received this message by ale (not verified)
In reply to 5/13/19. Got a call from a by Pat from hawaii (not verified)
In reply to 5/13/19. Got a call from a by Pat from hawaii (not verified)
In reply to 5/13/19. Got a call from a by Pat from hawaii (not verified)
In reply to 5/13/19. Got a call from a by Pat from hawaii (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to I got a call yesterday May by T (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to This just happened to me as by Julie (not verified)
In reply to I received the same call by Godi (not verified)
In reply to This just happened to me as by Julie (not verified)
In reply to I received the same call by Godi (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to Yesterday I got same call and by Tanaz (not verified)
In reply to Yesterday I got same call and by Tanaz (not verified)
In reply to Yesterday I got same call and by Tanaz (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to This exact call happened to by Liliy (not verified)
In reply to Did anything happen after you by Tae (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to I recieved the same call 7-08 by Maria Lewis (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to I got a call from Texas as by ttsmom0229 (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to Round Rock, Texas 5/13/19 I by Maria (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I own a business that by Dont play (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have had several calls by Blockerfamily3 (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to Ms. Gomez, I am in total by jviera11373 (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to I have filed a complaint with by Sheila Gomez u… (not verified)
In reply to Outstanding - please continue by Rob V (not verified)
In reply to Usually if its legit anything by Tiredoffakecalls54 (not verified)
In reply to I called social security by Valerie45w (not verified)
In reply to Recently received a phone by Got a call (not verified)
Add new comment