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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
LE
July 30, 2019
Received call from 8004232886 saying it was SS calling and to press 1 to connect with an official.
BFM
July 31, 2019
Yup! Got this call too. It came from a 1 878 062 9044 number. I didn’t believe it, I didn’t pick it up, and I knew it was a scam number.
T
July 31, 2019
I keep receiving calls that my SSN has been involved in fraudulent activity on the southern border of Texas. All from different 800 numbers.
Texan
July 31, 2019
Just received a similar call saying that my SSN is being investigated for fraud, with all the fraud going on it is not hard to believe. However, I know the SSA will never just call me out of the blue on cell phone! Thanks everyone for all your comments and this web page, it's very reassuring that this in fact is a scam call.
Tootsiewest
July 31, 2019
I have been receiving the same social security scam calls as everyone else but I have been getting them from different phone numbers about 5 times a day. I have never answered until yesterday. I pushed one to speak to someone and the man sounded Indian. I told him I knew this was a scam. Please stop calling me. There was no chance in hell they would get a dime from me because I called the real social security administration and I know they would never suspend a ss number. They man started to stutter and make something up. I said don't call again your gig is up. It's a scam and I'm not falling for it so quit before I get lawyers involved. That's when he hung up. Lol. I haven't had any more calls. We need to let them know we aren't hiding and we know you are a sham! Busted! It is getting out of control ridiculous!
Austin, TX
July 31, 2019
Received a call this morning from 855-663-2673. The pre-recorded/robo voicemail stated I needed to call them back or they would begin legal proceedings against me. They said their Social Security Office was located in Austin, TX. Scam.
Arasshd
July 31, 2019
Here’s mine “The law-enforcement agency has decided to suspend your Social Security number on immediate basis as we have received a suspicious trails of information on your name the moment you receive this message we need to get back to us on department division toll-free number 866-408-1691 I repeat 866-408-1691 if we don't receive a call from your end we will have to take legal actions under your name so get back to us as soon as possible thank you…”
Anonymous
July 31, 2019
Just got a call from a 1 800 082 1447 number saying my SSN was suspended. They scammers are really annoying.
angelstouchbyr…
July 31, 2019
I just received a call from (512) 714-8393 stating SSN has been suspended! Mind you I don't appreciate this malice and criminal activity.. however, even more so.. it pisses me off to think these jerks (for lack of a better word) may be contacting the disabled and/or elderly who believe this b-o-l-o-g-n-a.. I truly believe in karma, but more importantly I believe in defending ourselves, those we love, and those we may know who may become a victim to these scams! Kindly spread the word!!
Thanatos
July 31, 2019
I received a call a couple of days and it was a robotic voice telling me My SSI was being suspended. I hung up and called the number back, the first time they picked up but all I could hear is people talking in the background. No one would answer. I immediately called back 3 more times and it said “line busy”, finally I got a hold of someone, a man with a strong foreign accent. They wanted my first and last name and social security number. When I declined and said I didn’t feel comfortable with that he hung up. Today I received another call, also robotic, telling me they are proceeding with legal actions and activating an arrest warrant and said to call back on a certain number, when we tried calling the number back it was disconnected, then beeped. I have severe anxiety and this is tearing my nerves apart. The number they called from today was 1-800-772-5656 and the other number was 813-792-1803, a Florida number.. I wish they would stop this is causing my anxiety to go through the roof.
Don't use your…
July 31, 2019
The scam is alive and well. I've received calls from 817-725-8442, from a man claiming to be with the SSA, Jayden Black, and he gives an SSA#. I didn't have to press anything, but when he asked for the last 4-digits of my SS#, I asked for his name and agent # and why he was calling. That's when he went into the lie that my SS# was flagged to be blocked because there was suspicious activity in Texas. I called him a lie and he hung up. I reported it to oig.ssa.gov/report
frknscammers
July 31, 2019
‭+1 (866) 022-8624‬ They’ve been calling from varied 866 numbers! Beware
Alert in AR
July 31, 2019
7/31/2019 - Received two calls in the last hour from 866-807-7076 & 866-908-2967. Left voicemail saying my SSN has been "suspend" due to suspicious activity and to press 1 to discuss this case.
Dan L
July 31, 2019
I just got a phone call saying my SS number has been suspended and that I needed to immediately speak to an agent. I am in Arizona and the number they are using is 1-800-328-6220. I pressed 1 and when someone picked up, I then hung up.
thomas4410
July 31, 2019
Used my ss # in south Texas. Pres 1 to speak to an agent.
Patty
July 31, 2019
Received a call from 800 589 0002 from a Sargent stating that my SSN was being used fraudulently and was transferred to a woman who said my name and address and asked me for the last 4 digits of my SSN. Hung up on them.
Larry rf
July 31, 2019
I have received two 1-800 calls this morning stating they are with SSI and due to fraudulent use of my SSI number a warrant for my arrest has been issued, press 1 to speak with a SSI official. I hung up. Two different 800 numbers, but same voice, same message. Numbers were 1-800-409-4012 and 1-800-380-6614.
Lisa
July 31, 2019
Got an automated call that went to voicemail from 855-752-8937 saying "There are legal enforcement actions filed against you and your Social Security number is suspected for fraudulent activities so once you get this message kindly call us back as soon as possible on our number before we begin with legal proceedings against you" Assuming its scam because there are similar comments with the same wording
Lawgirl
July 31, 2019
received a call today from Mike at Social Security stating how i might be arrested 415-630-4053 another number the day before called too 330-538-8316 with the same message. Kept "mike" on the phone long enough to hear him say he has scammed with a happy voice over $100K from American's and he was calling from Dubai. Rather than not answering these calls or not calling them back, Call them back and keep them on the phone, longer they are talking to you about non-sense longer they cant call the next American!!! Blow up the phone number so much they take it out of service, pass it around social media even...
Youngd
July 31, 2019
I get calls all day from 325-244-8359 today I dialed it and was sworn at and called horrible names. This was following the many messages I received saying my ss # as been marked as fraud etc...i blocked the number hope I never hear again from them
Alvaro
July 31, 2019
got a call from 800-772-7038 same situation they say my SSN its being suspended .... watch out for this scammers.
GKRK
July 31, 2019
I have received 7 in the last 4 hours. All different phone numbers.
Meandyou
July 31, 2019

In reply to by GKRK

Also my wife and i received several calls today all from different phone numbers with basically same mess. Thought at first might be because Capital One but now know it’s just a scam. Been blocking the numbers as they come.
JC
July 31, 2019
‭(877) 049-0639‬ this number left a message that my social security has been suspended... LOL
SSN Fraud Call
July 31, 2019
I received 3 calls between yesterday and today from the same number saying that there is fraudulent activity associated with my SSN. I didn't answer but they left an automated recording on my voicemail. From the number: 804.207.5794. 7.31.19
K L L
July 31, 2019
Just got this same recording from 1-866-396-1784. When I pressed 1 to connect, I asked to speak to a supervisor immediately. He got really tripped up and then said he was the supervisor, so I asked him for the SS office phone number to call back on and he couldn't produce the number in any fashion. I laughed and hung up after telling him not to call back again.
nadi
July 31, 2019
They also call from 869 area code which is St. Kitts & Nevis. Got the same message from 1-869-958-0069. Block it for sure. Scammers.
Anslow
July 31, 2019
I just received this call from the number 1-800-249-1759 It was the same scam call as above.
A
July 31, 2019
Just received a call from 1 (800) 249-1759 saying the same about auto dialer message. Refused to give name, asked them to stop calling me.
Cindy
July 31, 2019
I just received a call stating my social security number is being suspended for suspicious activity. The call came from a Texas number 3258996709.
HA
July 31, 2019
Just got a scam call today from #1-253-643-9507
Don't use your…
July 31, 2019
Yes I received a call
Panda1
July 31, 2019
Got the same call with automated message. Call registered as if it were from Canada according to my phone, but the number that popped up in the caller ID was: (249) 496 - 0065 Scammers.
Peggy
July 31, 2019
I got a call today from 844-947-3980 . The message was "Your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, press 1 for more information." Needless to say, I did not press 1.
Cheodon
July 31, 2019
I am reporting a scam call from someone claiming to be SSA Phone # : +1 (253) 387-5698 Area: Puyallup, WA
Drew0622
July 31, 2019
‭+1 (320) 321-0220‬ This is a number that called me and told me my SSN was compromised...they are very rude and nasty when you call back to mess with them.
VNS
July 31, 2019
I received a scam voice mail from 1-800-343-4630. I did not respond to them.
Going on twenty
July 31, 2019
Nearing 20 calls ,all from 888,865 area code..
JM
July 31, 2019
I just got a call from 832-016-8798. I let them leave a message. It is the same ...your SSN has been suspended. This is a scam.
WildFlower
July 31, 2019
I’ve been getting these same type of calls from various out of state numbers, but what worried me is that they were able to confirm my address?? I know for certain they’re not the SSA...but how did they obtain my information?
RC
July 31, 2019
I got a recorded message and all my numbers that it could of been were in Va. or one unknown!
RC
July 31, 2019
I,m wondering if a bank connected to people you owe could hire out people to scare you to get their money! I have had a hacker trying to get me to buy protection,he framed my face!
DonDocdoodles'…
July 31, 2019
Had 2 calls telling me that the SSA had an arrest warrant pending for me for "Social security fraud". Gave me the number to the DEA (he was unable to tell me what the letters DEA stood for) telling me that I should contact them. He gave me he correct number for the SSA and stated he was calling from Texas. I asked him what the DEA could possibly have to do with SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD ...he was able to give me my name in full but upon asking for the last four of the SSN# involved he was unable to give it to me. Two callers of Ihe three were males and ALL OF THEM had Eastern Indian accents and there was alot of commotion around them. I DID ACTUALLY call my local Sherriffs office and the Federal Marshalls office just to verify that all was well because IF SOMEONE was ACTUALLY USING my name and SSN# they would have arrested and asked questions LATER! They DO NOT forwarn you that you have an outstanding warrant as this would only give [you] time to "pack up and go into hiding" that is IF I were TRULY GUILTY of nefarious crimes against the Social Security Administration. As soon as I reminded him that he had been on the line long enough for me to "track the call" he hung up! I've NEVER committed a crime in my ENTIRE life, I am actually a Retired Public Safety officer ...I have had 3 calls from these lowlifes and I don't know how they live with themselves...KARMA IS NOT AS FORGIVING!
VNS
July 31, 2019
A voice mail from another number: 800-145-7561
Camilledlg25
July 31, 2019
Got a call today too and started with something about my ssn being suspended and press 1 and he sounds like Indian but the name he gave me was Sam Johnson which i found unusual but i gave them my last 4 digit of ssn coz he told i have warrant of arrest under my name and told he’s going to help me and then asked for a local police dept number so they can suspend my warrant for they will update them on my case and got to talk to the “sheriff” and told me to just follow whatever the person in ssn was telling me and they transferred my call to a senior officer and asked how many account i have and told me they will issue me a new social security number and everything will be fine. The funny thing is when i gave him the account i told him my account is negative and all my credit cards are maxed out. I’m just worried coz i gave my ssn and im trying to call the ssn hotline but the lines are busy. I don’t know what to do.
Kbella57#Don't…
July 31, 2019
I have been receiving these calls for the past week from 1-888-977-6801. Please investigate.
Pyeex
August 01, 2019
Got a call from +1-202-657-4853 saying to call 210-209-9320. Message was "...action filed on your social security number for criminal activities...". Beware if you get someone calling from these phone numbers.
Kash
August 01, 2019
My husband and I both have received calls and voicemails from this particular number regarding Social Security I'm sorry for those that have been scammed, but it seems pretty simple to tell that it is not a real number or a threat to your social security. I think people need to start researching a little bit more so they don't get scammed so easily, 10 million dollars is way too much to lose foolishly
Tammyjoe
August 01, 2019
These people call me all the time I've gave them Richard Nixon social security number and a few others I told them for giggles I own a large house of prostitutes and I'd give them two of my best girls and take it out in trade I've changed my number to no avail they still keep a calling. .
sunmanic
August 01, 2019
I got a similar call from 715-629-1812
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