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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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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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FD
March 25, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

Recieved the Same call on 03/25. Different number (682)615-1824
Kamby
March 26, 2019

In reply to by FD

Just got call from 979-353-4764 robot voice saying my social security # is being checked for fraudulent activity to call this # back. I did and couldn't understand anything he was saying I told him his # comes up on phone being a scam, not falling for it. These people need to be stopped , all of them 20 calls or more a day by scammers on government do not call list they still all, block their #s, they call from another one and use different name, can tell same person tho. They all need to be stopped even the ones for medical braces ,& meds thru the mail just need your insurance info they are all frauds!!!!
Kat austin
March 26, 2019

In reply to by Kamby

I just got a robo call about fraud and legal action if I didn't call back and settle it before they filed charges I have severe ptsd and anxiety which in turn cause aggoraphobic episodes, it took me a bit to find out it was fraud. The call immediately triggered my issues. These scammers must be stopped. I would never do anything fraudulent, I keep a roof over my kids heads with my benefits.... What horrid people do this to others???
lily in the valley
April 11, 2019

In reply to by Kat austin

So just received the same type of call .. from 929-246-2586. call before charges are filed is what the system said ..
Santa Cruz Sunsets
April 17, 2019

In reply to by lily in the valley

My husband and I have received several calls and txt messages today. I myself have received 4 calls and the record message left 2 messages (all the same message). I started blocking the calls and they call on a new line. These are the numbers that cave called me today... 888-810-0720 (called 2 times and left a message), 888-810-0729 (called and left a message), and 888-810-0822. Beware.
San Diego Sunsets
April 24, 2019

In reply to by Santa Cruz Sunsets

I too got 4 calls from 888-810-0965 888-810-0974 888-810-0980 888-810-0983 all 1-2 hr.s apart, re SSN scam- left message. Seniors beware!
whitfieldk
May 20, 2019

In reply to by San Diego Sunsets

Received a call from 1866.647.4459 called it back to see because i knew they were a fraud. When they answered I asked them where their headquarters was located and they hung up in my face
Jenny
April 29, 2019

In reply to by Santa Cruz Sunsets

I’ve been getting a lot of calls from all these numbers listed above and some of these: ‭(888) 810-0513‬ ‭(888) 810-0713‬ (888) 742-7683‬ Today they’re particularly aggressive and have been calling every 30 mins since 9:30am today (it’s 2pm now)... roughly 10 times. Luckily I’m not the type to be stuck to my phone so I don’t notice until I see all the missed calls afterwards so it doesn’t bother me.
DukeDaddy
May 08, 2019

In reply to by lily in the valley

I got same call from 210-361-4940. It's funny how the phone company says they can stop these fraudulent/spoofed calls if you sign up for a monthly service, but won't lift a finger if you don't. You'd think they would want to stop people from highjacking their network.
Figgy2019
June 10, 2019

In reply to by DukeDaddy

Absolutely my feelings as well. We can either be scammed out of our money or give it to them to stop calls they should stop on their own. Everyone is in it for the money. Scam calls everyday and this social security scam was a new one. I get secret shopper emails and texts daily. Irs scam used to be one but, now it’s social security.
ShameOnThem
August 06, 2019

In reply to by Kat austin

Kat austin, I just received a similar robo-call as you, and I also suffer from PTSD and Anxiety. I empathize with you. My call was from 253 area code (W. Wa. state) and mentioned that this is Soc. Sec. Admin., a lawsuit has been taken out against me (although, at no time did they ever state my name; everything was just "you" have fraudulent activity, etc), an arrest warrant has been issued for "you"... To speak with an officer immediately, push 1..that was when I hung up. And like you, I was immediately scared, upset, even as I figured it was most likely a scam. The only reason I questioned it's possible authenticity was because soc. sec. #'s get stolen all the time. I investigated online and in short order found it fit the classic scam M.O. I did call the number back after being armed with the facts and interestingly the 1st time I called back a recording said "This call is rejected". I called again and after several ribgs it said" The Text Now subscriber you are trying to reach is unavailable; at the tone leave your message". I hung up.
Alexandro Sanchez
June 19, 2019

In reply to by Pazza75

I received a call from someone pretending to be with social security, and they said they had an arrest warrant for me because someone had been using my social security number and they were embezzling over 10 million dollars and trafficking drugs. They said if I hung up, then they would have the arrest warrant go through and I would face up to 30 years in prison, but if I followed their instructions, then it would be canceled. They asked me for the number of the nearest police department, so I gave them the number to the Clovis Police Department. And they said they were going to talk to them about it to try to clear my name. Then they had the number of the Clovis Police Department call me and tell me that I had to go get Target gift cards with my credit and debit cards in order to safeguard my money from being seized and being associated with the money laundering that was going on with my social security number. So I went to Target and bought a $350 gift card with my remaining debit card balance and a $550 gift card with my remaining available credit.
Marilyn
April 19, 2019

In reply to by Kamby

My call was from #281-734-3076. I did not answer, they left voicemail. I do not take out of state calls.
Don't use your…
June 07, 2019

In reply to by Marilyn

Ive. Been getting calls from the same number and 6 other number its ridiculous they dont stop i got at least 30 scam calls a day some are for us grants and when i tell them to stop calling me and i hang up on them they call right back with another number they dont stop yesterday i was in the hospital having surgery and they were back to back calls i cant take it anymore please give me some ideas to help me stop this!
Zaa
June 21, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

Next time they call, make sure it's a real person (not a recording); then blow them a LOUD WHISTLE in the phone mic. I can promise you they won't be calling for a while! Even more efficient if you first speak with a very low voice so they have to raise their volume and stick their ear to acoustic in order to hear you.
zack
October 21, 2019

In reply to by Zaa

I pressed 1 said sorry and they just hanged up am I good for pressing 1 nothing won’t happen? Aha
RRR
April 22, 2019

In reply to by Kamby

Yes they do need to be stopped and a enforcement team created to catch and prosecute them severely. Imagine how many companies nation wide are paying an employee to answer a phone. Weather it be to take a food order or simply for customer care, either way that ends up being a huge profit loss not only from the time it took them to answer a bogus call but also from the production it limited them from performing in a timely matter as they had to stop what they were doing to answer a B.S. call and in addition to that it may have blocked the ability of a real customer from connecting with that business especially if it was a small business. Huge losses if all things are considered. It may be the best solution to ID tag all phone numbers verified to an address so missuse can be prosecuted.
KB
April 23, 2019

In reply to by RRR

I just received the call from 1-866-602-8776 and I immediately hung up!!
chee
April 26, 2019

In reply to by Kamby

I am in the same boat. Just got the same call. I have severe anxiety so to get a call like this always just throws my whole day. Scammers need to be stopped.
cici
April 29, 2019

In reply to by Kamby

I also received this type of call for the 3rd time but different numbers. I called back. He asked for my birthday first and I said,” you tell me”. He hung up. Number 716 249 4089. Beware. Filipino accent.
Kjh
May 13, 2019

In reply to by cici

Got call from 8008781165. Wanted my DOB. I said can’t give out numbers to just anyone. He said I can’t help you. I said fine, just have the Robocall call resent. He said “Who are you?! The President of the United States??” (Yah, that was certainly something a real SSA OIG employee would say...) I hung up. Wasted half a morning checking on call, phone numbers, calling the real SSA. Sheesh!
bsmith2821
March 26, 2019

In reply to by FD

I got the same phone call March 26 2019 from a number 270-2136746 saying they was the socal security office but the guy had a accent and he kept breaking up on the phone he even gave me a bagde id. But they was saying my social security number was used in Texas with I didn't believe it so beware
Beware!
April 03, 2019

In reply to by bsmith2821

Same story - got this call from 877-185-1213... he would provide a case number, his employee ID and arrest warrant number and that you would be prosecuted for Money Laundering charged against the SSN. That there were 2 options to solve this: 1) to bring a criminal lawyer or 2) to settle this outside court which is called an ADR process. He claimed that for the ADR process you need to take money out from your existing bank accounts and transfer to a ‘secure wallet’ so they could differentiate which accounts were real vs fake. He would text you a barcode to create a bitcoin account - from 917-773-0816. He would ask you for your local police department number - pretending to have the conversation with the police who then called you from the police department number you provided to say you have 1.5 hours to take money out and then the new SSN will be re-issued after it’s investigated and cleared. The call will be transferred to a lady who would be on the call the entire time to make sure your phone has enough battery and you’re not allowed to disconnect and to make sure you don’t talk to anyone. She would direct you to the nearest bitcoin machine locations... hung up at the end. But beware!
Vigilant citizens
April 17, 2019

In reply to by Beware!

Everyone, please pay attention to caller id’s. In my case - New York precinct’s phone number was correct but origin was Russia. First hint.
Reply
January 22, 2021

In reply to by Vigilant citizens

The number that called me was 972 430 5615
Yes
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Beware!

That happens to me today I almost fell for it I called my boyfriend right away he told me it was fraud it sounded so real
Ev49
July 26, 2019

In reply to by bsmith2821

Mine 800-158-6345 same call, fraudulent use in Texas.
TJ
April 09, 2019

In reply to by FD

I received the same call twice this morning both times were different numbers (428)126-2620 and (347)528-1731 stating my SS Was about to be blocked, press one to continue. I didn't answer the phone, both times a voice mail was left. SCAMM BEWARE SCAMM
mouse
April 17, 2019

In reply to by TJ

4/17 just got this call from 281-733-5742 Houston TX. Did not answer but they left a voice mail message to call back and press 1, etc.
Amanda
May 24, 2019

In reply to by mouse

I received this call yesterday, approximately 4 times. I finally answered and stated he was head of operations with the SS office. Asked for ID# he gave a #, asked him to repeat it as I dropped my pen. Could not repeat the same numbers. I began to go off on this guy...800 722 1213. He disconnected so I called him back..continued what I was saying and reported to the Fed Trade Commission...
Bryan Fernández
May 02, 2019

In reply to by TJ

Omg I just pressed 1. Do you know what will happen? I thought it was true because was filling job applications online and I was thinking I fill something wrong.
ambar1226
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Bryan Fernández

thats just happened to me, and I dont know what to do!
Ashey
May 09, 2019

In reply to by ambar1226

Nothing will happen if you press 1, as long as you dont give them any information you're perfectly fine, dont freak out.
hogbear
May 03, 2019

In reply to by FD

I am tried of being harassment telemarketers telemarketers insurance company social security people just get them to stop calling me please
Dan-Houston
June 21, 2019

In reply to by FD

Got a call from Tomball this morning, a recorded message saying my social security number was involved in fraudulent activities and I was to call this number back (281-205-3485) before I was prosecuted.
KAM160
April 08, 2019

In reply to by Jen

I just receive a scammer call from 812-518-8776 (Newburgh, Indiana). I asked for the info in writing and he threatened to tell his fellow officer. Then he said I couldnt get an attorney....he wasn’t making sense and was very irrate when I asked questions. He gave his name as Adam Johnson police badge number 74-15186, then have me a case number DC 7010. I’m so glad I looked up this and found this.
Barkeater
April 08, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

I got the same robotic call from Texas number 512 534 4671.
smithty
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Barkeater

got same message I did call them back did not give them any info i said u called me u should have all the info u ask me for and then they hung up.
Avalon Stryder
April 28, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

New number associated with this scam: 678 661 9168
Peter
April 29, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

4/29/19 -- Received a call from 1-866-145-1213 saying that my SS was about to be suspended if I didn't dispute fraudulent activity. Told to press 1 to speak to an agent but decided to hang up bc this is right after tax season so anyone they call would have just used their social to login to do any sort of tax payments online, filing, etc.
mgoessl
September 18, 2019

In reply to by Peter

I recived tha same sort of call 9/18/19 from 821-456-9960. Telling me that an arrest warrent has been issued for fraudulent activity based off my SS number.
B.blastt
January 14, 2020

In reply to by mgoessl

Same here, I was called by a 366 557 5612 telling me I have a arrest warrant for fraudulent activity based on my ss number.
Ljg1954
May 07, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

Received a social security call claiming my say number was about to be suspended. Phone number is 8770831213
Bea1944on't us…
May 13, 2019

In reply to by Ljg1954

May 13, 2019 1/724 610-9552 Just received a call and the left a messasge my SS number has bee suspended due to suspicious activity so I need to call them back asap! They left a full message and said when I call back to press 1. Please catch them they can get someone who will give them all there information and lose everything! Catch them!
got a missed c…
May 17, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

the number was 1 866 542 4002 the transcription beta of the voicemail is "Spend you _____ 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..." literally written from my phone. I called the number back suspicious, and it said that it was no longer in service! Underneath the number, my phone also says unknown. Also, when I replay the same ssn scam voicemail, I get a different voicemail instead! The different voicemail is about an expiring vehicle or something that says it was sent April 22, 2019. It is only April 17th!!! Like the ssn scam voicemail got replaced by a vehicle scam vm instead. This is just crazy.
Beware
October 08, 2019

In reply to by Got a call

I just got a call informing me that my social security had been suspended from this number: 1-800-211-8151
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