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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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Shopping and Donating
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Social Security Impersonators
emanon
August 29, 2019
I just got a scam call from 877 598 2916 and hung up on them. AND added the number to my blocked calls list!
just-got-call
August 29, 2019
I just got the same SSA scam call. I decided to check it out so pressed 1. In a few seconds I was connected to a woman who asked me for my SSN and name (and later birth date). I provided some made-up information. She then went on to tell me that a car was rented "under my SSN" which was found near the southern TX border and had drugs. She asked me if I wanted to "settle" this thing urgently. I said yes. She told me to pick up the next call coming on my phone which will be from the DEA authorized person who can settle this case. By now I had had enough so I asked her if she couldn't find a better job than to scam people. She said "You think I am scamming you? You watch out! FBI will be at your door in 15 mins! Click." :-D
Anonymus
August 29, 2019
I just received a call leaving a message saying. Then I Googled Social Security Administration and the number that called me was nothing like it it was over in North America saying the same thing the number that called me was 877-811-2655
Bobbyworldddddd
August 29, 2019
+1 (800) 534-9085 That number so fake and tried to get information as well . Pretending to be social Security Administration
Not today!
August 29, 2019
840 - 295 - 0463 = scam number. Got the message included in this blog.
Scammingworld
August 30, 2019
yes i also get a phn call abt ssn scam nd i paid 60,000$ to them
Meli
August 29, 2019
I keep getting this calls as well at first I was concerned I never answered the calls they left so many messages stating that my ssn is going to get suspended if this matter doesn't get handled they never left a return call that's when I decided to research it and see if their was more people getting this calls and if they're scammers
nwallace
August 30, 2019
I just got the same call from a Mississippi, phone number. They left a message, I already knew it was a scam due to the fact I have had a few of these calls in the past. I called back got some guy with an accent, just like all the other times. He told me my SS number was going to be suspended and just like the last few times, I told them they can not suspend a SS number, and to lose my number and go to hell. Then I call back a few more times using a dif number and give them fake names cause they tell everyone the same thing whether or not they called you are not and I get them so mad until they hang up on me. I do that until I call and that number is no longer in service.
Concerned RR
August 30, 2019
Same call and same drill but from phone number 1-800-578-1552
rob and susie
August 30, 2019
Just got a call, clearly a scam, supposedly from Social Security, needing to talk to me about my account.The number is 410-438-8611, identified as coming from Sudlersville,MD.
irritateddad
August 30, 2019
received a very similar call from phone 1-800-778-8188
Rkw
August 30, 2019
I just received a scam call saying my number Was suspended due to suspicious activity. Then they wanted me to hit #1 which would have let them into my phone. 240.319.4640 is the number they called from. Blocking and reporting. Sometimes I wish I could hack them.
Scammers be scammin
August 30, 2019
Missed a call from 800-084-3894, voicemail said my SS number was being used for fraudulent reasons and if I wanted to straighten it out, I could press one. Just deleted it. i couldn’t find this phone number anywhere on google searches, so I wanted to put it out there.
Lassy
August 30, 2019
I recived a call from this numbers SS Scams 18000327550 13125006795 And many more numbers Pleaseeeee do something
Email
August 30, 2019

In reply to by Lassy

I also received a similar call twice today. It was from (941) 217 - 2827.
Fedupcitizen
August 30, 2019
I never answer calls that I don’t recognize the number from. These calls showed up as “unknown”. My phone info on the calls indicated the numbers were 800-257-1300, and 800-724-9041. I received these two identical calls 37 minutes apart on Aug 26 2019. The following is the transcript my phone recorded of the robocalls: “Until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect with legal _⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_ Social Security administration in order to connect with our Social Security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the officer now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern department we did not receive any _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ or _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ in order to speak with Social Security _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ regarding your Social Security press one and this automated system _⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ officials press one now to connect…” Quite obviously a false threat. I submitted a complaint with this information. I know it’s most likely one of many similar robocall scams out there, but hopefully this will help track them down.
Anonymous
August 30, 2019
Also, phone numbers 1-800-490-4534 and 1-800-608-0382.
Annoyed
August 30, 2019
received SSN suspended scam call from 888-577-7786. Was transfered to live caller, so I could tell him I was reporting to FTC. He replied go right ahead and see if that does anything. On a side note I can not post my reply to him, less than polite.
BJT22
August 30, 2019
I received a scam robocall from 240-337-0243 claiming to be from the Social Security administration, and that my social security number has been suspended.
Larry
August 30, 2019
Please do not respond to these calls. . It's an attemp to make you feel guilty and steal your money !
EP
August 30, 2019
Received a call from 95684431081-195684431081 with a recording saying it was the SSI calling to let me know that my SS# was used by someone at the border ; thenI was asked to press 1 to talk to an agent. I hung up....
sri
August 30, 2019
I received a call today 8/30 ~1:40 EST. Updating a new number +1 8 555 542 6333. The verbiage of the call was similar to the one that is posted above in the blog. Thanks
annoyed
August 30, 2019
949-577-9476 says my SSN was used on the border of Texas. It sounded like a recorded message ..
cmflorida
August 30, 2019
I just received a call from 512 991 4153. I missed it and when I called back, the person insisted on me giving my personal information, when I refused and asked who they were they told me they were calling from Social Security and I had been originally contacted by a "high authority" and should give my information. I refused told them to never contact me again and blocked the number. Be alert!!
Jennifer from …
August 30, 2019
Just received a similar voice message. Date is August 20, 2019.
kkalu8
August 30, 2019
I have been receiving increasing amounts of calls of this type, both to cell phones and land lines the phone numbers of the caller are 1 (800) 611-8848 1 (800) 132-2307 1 (800) 837-0576 All the calls state they will be forced to suspend my social security number and benefits...
taiji
August 30, 2019
‭+1 (888) 769-0262‬ This a number they call from also.
ssm
August 30, 2019
Received similar call today from 800-523-2678.
XYZ
August 30, 2019
I also received a similar call twice today. It was from (941) 217 - 2823.
Dan
August 30, 2019
Received from 409-344-5161. Threatened jail.
keke123
August 30, 2019
The scammer call came from 866-009-3935
Cali
August 31, 2019
Got one today 8/31/19 saying exactatly what was stated below. Stating my ssn was being used in tx and they were going to file federal charges. From 1(430)755-2413 San Antonio TX. I asked for his information he said officer steve Duffy federal id number 936649. He didn’t even speak English, after I gave him no info about me he hung up.
craftylady
August 31, 2019
I received a call yesterday. number pops up as globalscape. Automated message states this is Amanda Barnes, an officer, with social security admin. your SSN has been linked to fraudulent activity in South Texas. that's when I hung up. The phone number was 210-293-7917 out of San Antonio Tx.
Lgail
August 31, 2019
Received a call from one 800-363-7078 saying my identity had been compromised and my social security number was found in some sort of a vehicle with drugs and blood. They were pressing me for my personal information and wanted the last four digits of my social security number to confirm and also wanted my address. They really had me stressed out.
Dart
August 31, 2019
I received a call telling me my social was getting suspended due to drug trafficking and money laundering. She gave her badge number and proceeded to ask questions. I told her if she was Investigating she knew the information and did not need me to tell her. When I asked for her number to turn the information over to authorities she hung up.
1WIMN
August 31, 2019
Similar computerized voice message left 8.29.19 from 888-017-5132. "...suspend your SSN based on suspicious activity...to know more, press 1." I did not press one, I deleted the call off voice mail. Acquaintance living in same neighborhood received it 10 days ago; I wonder if they call certain regions/areas or just get off robocall functionality.
billc
August 31, 2019
Just got one from 888-152-1333 Message said my SS# was suspended
CandyMan
August 31, 2019
Officer Marie Gomez 682-253-1871 says SS# has been suspended and you need to call. This ones new. Watch out
#notgoingbescammed
September 09, 2019

In reply to by CandyMan

same robo call from Marie Gomez - "your social security number has been suspended please call us back at 423 900 2119"
Scammers be ware
September 01, 2019
I too got this message on my voice mail I am really surprised in this day and age that people are still falling prey to these scammers! If we cant stop the scam calls we need to better educate the people the government should put up billboards and make commercials warning people to not ever give out your personal information on a call like these! Protect yourself cause no one else will!
SF
September 01, 2019
I received a call. The number the scam used is 410-844-3418. I'm in San Francisco.
Don't use your…
September 01, 2019
8667166162 talking about your ss# has been use in as wrong way press 1
Stefan
September 02, 2019
I got a call like that from the number 8335482054 on 9/2/2019 at 7:30 PDT.
DrRitz
September 02, 2019
09/02/2019 -- Caller ID was Bank of America for 408-872-9684 and the message was about SS # suspicious activity....SCAM
Concern123
September 02, 2019
Hi, I just wanted to report another SSA scam. I received a call from 18331908974 and it's another security scam saying that my SSN was being suspended and to call back and press 1 to speak with an officer or a warrant will be out for my arrest. I call the number back after researching it in Google just to see what will happen and the number was out of the US. Please put the number in Google before calling back any unknown numbers especially asking for personal contact info concerning your ID. My wife always puts any number she doesn't know in Google before calling or accepting the call. She let it go to the voicemail and we know any info or notifications coming from the bank, SSA, government , and or IRS will come through the mail first. Rule of thumb.
Solitaire
September 03, 2019
I just received a call from someone saying that my Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity. The caller ID # was 1-888-842-6573. I did not recognize the #, so I did not answer. They did leave the message.
Annoyed
September 03, 2019
Getting calls like that from ‭+1 (469) 747-7270‬ ‭+1 (813) 614-8818‬
Jen
September 03, 2019
Just got a call now and one yesterday with a robo call saying my. Ss# is going to be suspended and legal action taken against me and all this I just hung up Numbers they called from are 833-313-1120 and 833-549-7249 for one this first call was yesterday on Labor Day and I know all the Government state and federal offices were closed due to the holiday. also I know they won’t call u they will send out a letter. I read the post about them calling people and then our local law-enforcement has warned people about the calls going out as well . I just blocked them and go about my day.
Nina
September 03, 2019
I received a call from 1-281-245-1913 regarding the same subject. I ignored and blocked it.
Leslie
September 03, 2019
Calls from 1-888-567-9711 Scammers are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. When confronted their "professionalism" turns immediately to using profanity/offensive language.
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