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
July 26, 2019
I received a call from 800-933-2447. The call stated that my SS# had been compromised. The person on the other end gave me the name David Miller with Badget ID 105-962. I ask for my name to pull up my record, which I did not provide. The guy tried really hard to fake his accent but when I asked him to spell his name which he did but had trouble the letters I, V, L, and R. I asked him to repeat his name many times until he got tired and moved to asked for my info. After explaining that they should have my records because they called me, he decided to end the call. I have dealt with calls like this in the past. Please be careful with the information you share.
July 26, 2019
I have been called 5 times in the last hour from 5 different numbers. It sounds like somebody using one of those robotic voice changers saying they have suspended my account due to suspicious activity and to click 1 to continue. Anyone had any experience with this? Latest number was (895)617-7579. I never answer calls from numbers I don't recognize so this has all gone to voicemail.
July 26, 2019
I am getting at least 1 call daily for the last few days from 888-663 , 888-898, 800-275, .... Never picked up, but they even leave a voice mail. The message is different, but the idea is the same: "if you want to fix your issue, press '1'" or so. Do not press anything!!!
July 26, 2019
I received 2 phone calls on 7-22-19 from 2 different numbers but the same recording. 800-864-0850 and 899-273-2038. In part this is the s.s. office and your number has been suspended do to fraudulent activity press 1 for further information.
July 26, 2019
I just received such a call, from 1-844-320-6684. Told me my SS# was suspended because of suspicious activity. I called my local SSA office to verify this is a fraud. Of course it was.
July 26, 2019
i wonder if giving a fake birthday like February 30th or a fake social security will be a cool thing to do.
July 26, 2019
Just received a phone call a minute ago on my answering machine saying my SS number has been suspended due to suspicious activities and asked me to press 1 to reply. I ignored it since it was obviously a scam. Social security number is not linked to any home phone number or cell phone number. Thanks to everyone who shared their experience!
July 26, 2019
Recieved this call today from this # +1248201937550
July 26, 2019
I received a call from 18009352178 and was informed that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Seems to be scam so I hung up and never receive this call again
July 26, 2019
Received about 3 or 4 calls within 2 hours from Lehigh Valley PA (610) 798-6474 about my social security number being investigated. So I called the number, the person on the other end asked to verify my ss#, so I asked who was he calling for and he asked again, so asked who was he calling for because I getting a lot of wrong number, then hung up. Also got calls from Richmond TX (346) 239-7170. The recording on the other end the woman sounded scare with broken English.
July 26, 2019
Got a call today saying ss number suspended because illegal activity. The number that called was 855-832-9288.
July 26, 2019
in the last 3 weeks I have received 41 calls. Most of them stating my SSN will be cancelled,... due I did not call them back. Now they say has been cancelled. I told the SSAdministration about. TO not call back. to not talk to them. My SSN is not cancelled. They call from outside and inside the USA. Now reading all the comments I thanks GOD to not have answer nor giving them any information. Thanks a lot! I have pasted this information into Facebook to make aware to all my friends. I hope you do it too. Due we have more friends than them. So we help us to not be scam.
July 26, 2019
I'm an Arizona resident - within the last hour, I received three calls from 3 different numbers claiming to be the Department of Social Security - all with area code 844 with the same automated message similar to the above posts. Obviously did not push 1. Hope this is helpful.
July 26, 2019
Just got a call today with a voice mail saying blah blah suspicious activity on my ssn...being suspended called from 888-896-290
number was missing a digit. weird. anyway blocked them
July 26, 2019
In the past two days, I've received the social security scam call SEVEN times. Yesterday they called me every 15 minutes in over the course of two hours - with different numbers. I blocked each number. I didn't answer the phone, so every time they called the same robot voice message that was left in my voicemail said, "I'm calling to inform you that we just suspended your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you." The last time they called today at 10:14 a.m., I was in a meeting at work. We answered and put the phone on speaker then pressed one. It had a recorded message that said that they will transfer my call - I would describe the accent as female and British. Then it rang. A man answered and asked me for my name. A coworker said, "You called us. You should know my name." He said, “I don’t know your name. Please give me your name.” She repeated her comment. He asked for it again. I told him that he was on a conference call and that I have already reported them to the FTC. He said with a really snarky tone, “Oooooh, what are they going to do about it?” I said, “Stop calling me and remove my name from your list.” He said, “Nooo… what are you going to do about it anyway?” I said, “Stop calling me!” He said, "No!" Then, I hung up the phone. I asked my coworkers what they thought his accent sounded like and they mentioned it was a mix of British, Australian and maybe Indian. The phone calls have stopped, for now.
July 26, 2019
Just received the same call, this is so terrible that people have so much time on there hands to try and scam people. Be careful of these number 202-998-9498, 917-645-0355, 203-405-8085, 817-786-9254, 914-666-8100, 205-901-7868 all these numbers call at least everyday and when i block them they just call me from another number.
July 26, 2019
I have been getting these calls for the last two months. Today I have gotten 6 calls and they are leaving messages. I finally allowed the call in, pushed #1, heard and official message that they would be connecting to the agent in charge. I told him off. Guess what - I got another call.
July 26, 2019
Just got two phone calls! Scam!
1-800-024-1059 and 1-800-424-0978
July 26, 2019
provocative words to person posing calling from ssn headquarters and got scammer to reveal himself. soon scammer started scolding in foreign language :D
got bombarded with multiple calls from
800 459 0334
800 446 4489
202 307 9100
806 928 6267
July 26, 2019
Still happening. Just got the call and was curious because of all this Equifax mishap so I pressed one to be connected with the Social Security dept (which I knew wasn’t) and when I asked them if it was the SS administration they hung up on me. Beware!
August 08, 2019
I just received a call from #866-682-2682 and someone that does not speak english very well answered and i told them that they were not the Social Security Administration and they hung up on me.
July 26, 2019
Just received the SSN scam call from number 4103900801
July 26, 2019
Thank you for this!! I just received a call like this and I was so scared. I looked it up then I found this and THANK GOODNESS.
July 26, 2019
I received scam call for ss# be aware from
+1 (716) 800-8212
July 26, 2019
Just received two calls from the following numbers;
1800-958-4437 and 1800-582-6041
recording states "in order to connect with a social security office, you may press 1 now, in case we do not hear from you, your social will be blocked permanently, press 1 now to be connected to the concern department.
July 26, 2019
The number that was used for the call to me was 804-207-8219 out of Virginia. Tried tracking the call but it is routed through another location. This is not how the Social Security Admin handles situations like this.
July 26, 2019
I was called from 866-366-9549 a social security office in Utah a state I never been too stating my social security number was suspended . Well I confirmed with my local office it was a scam ! Needless to say I blocked the number
July 26, 2019
I keep receiving call from this number 1(844)068-1101 and leaving me a message stating “Suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you this call is from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you have ___________________ 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 thank you…” the voice sound robotic.
July 26, 2019
Just now I received a call from this number +1 (800) 250-0770 and told me your under investigation you have warrant under your name that you send millions of dollars from your bank accounts. She asked my name and 4 digit of my social security I thought she is from social security. She given my case number as well. Then they cut the phone. Now I checked that the number is fake.
July 26, 2019
Received call from 844-517-0979 telling me my SSN had been compromised and to call them to keep from being arrested and my bank accounts frozen.
July 26, 2019
In the last two days I have had 7 calls from 844 area (all with different numbers) that I have now blocked. All about suspending social security account... .i never answer a call whose number is unfamiliar to me. So, these calls go right to voicemail. What a waste of my time to keep blocking unwanted calls! Why can this problem not be fixed???
July 26, 2019
Got a call from 804-207-8219 robo caller stating my social security number will be on hold or something along that nonsense. I hate scammers!
July 26, 2019
Got a call from 855-144-0019 I ignored it and just listen to it on my voice mail.
July 26, 2019
Just happened to me. 9172891008. I called him back & told him I called the FBI. He made a rude noise in phone & hung up on me.
July 26, 2019
Was just sitting in kitchen having coffee with friend and got this exact call in which i spoke to a man stating all of the listed above...i wouldn't verify my SS# & told him there is no way he should even have this number being i just got phone hadnt put it on any documents and its not even in my name....so how did he get it... he got mad gave me his name badge number hung up. Not even 3 minutes later my friend sitting across table from me got the exact same call... Just wondering how why that is. Very creepy that they some how linked the next closest phone to me to call. Be safe and smart guys...
July 26, 2019
I missed a call and they left me a voice message. So I called the number back (knowing it was a scam), sounded like a foreigner. There are people who might think it was real. We as citizens need to help spread the word to elderly, and those who don't know that the SS is not going to call you with the ridiculous accusations.
I gave him NO answers, he gave me the 800.772.1213, actual phone number of the Social Security Admin and that a Patrick Drake would answer the phone. It really makes me upset that these people are scamming those around us.
July 26, 2019
800-183=9377 Robotic poor qualify, saying suspicious activity on my son, press 1 to speak to officer, 3 calls today, left vm.
July 26, 2019
I got a call from 1 800 559 7817 and missed most the message due background noise around me. I did push one because I am waiting for a call back from a business but the call hung up. I am blocking the number but hopefully nothing happened.
July 26, 2019
Just got one of these calls similar to the audio recording you can listen to posted here above. The voice was the same but the message was a bit different. The number they called from was +18774286370.
July 26, 2019
Watch out for phone numbers
800-863-5359
800-5785480
Robocalls say they're from the Social security office. SCAM!!!
July 26, 2019
Scam number to be added is
1(844) 005-9193
July 26, 2019
Just received a similar call from (844)243-6950
July 27, 2019
I received an 800 call claiming to be the SSA that my SSN has been declined. I pressed 1 to speak with the assistance which is a scammer. I threatening to bring a gun over there to shoot them. Suddenly they hung up.
These are the following calls:
(800)787-9994
(800)726-0133
(800)793-6264
July 27, 2019
just got a spam call like this from (866) 500-9610
July 27, 2019
Have gotten at least 7 calls and voicemail from 855-425-9729 yesterday
July 27, 2019
JUST GOT A CALL from 866-828-3614 telling me my ssn # was compermised to dail 1 on my cell phone
July 27, 2019
I got a call today saying my social security had been suspended because of suspicious activity and to press 1 for more information. The call was a recording and I did not press 1 but hung up. The number was 877-707-5603. So tired of these robo calls trying to scam us.
July 27, 2019
I just got a call from the (Social Security Administration the phone # is correct 1-877-969-6268) saying that my SS# was being suspended due to suspicious activity. These people deserve to be in prison for trying to scam people
July 27, 2019
I just received this exact call stating my social security number was suspended and if I want more information about this case to press 1. The number on the caller ID was 877-525-7994 but when you call it back it states its not in service.
July 27, 2019
I receive the ROBO Call “Social Security number has been suspended” scam call 7/26/2019 from the phone number:
855-655-2066
There is no reason that the phone company cannot stop these scams except for their pure greed !