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
September 13, 2019
Actually received this call today AT WORK!!! Horrible people, I kept asking him how I could help him, he could not even read his script. I threw him off and of course he hung up on me. You could hear the hundreds of calls in the background and all sounded like they were not in the US!!
September 13, 2019
I just received a call from 1800 256-5859
September 13, 2019
I just got a call from (800)024-2727 with a recorded female voice telling me my benefits will be stopped because my social security number was involved in suspicious activity and to press #1 to speak with someone. I hung up. Immediately knew it was bs.
September 13, 2019
Got a call on my personal phone and my work phone. I told them to remove my number and stop scamming me.
September 13, 2019
800-561-7638 here is another number related to this scam
September 13, 2019
I RECEIVED CALL SAYING MY SS NUMBER HAD BEEN BREACHED -AND GAVE ME 415-683-5432.
WHEN I CALLED IT SAID THAT AGENT NUMBER 15 WAS NOT THERE. WHEN I CALLED BACK AGAIN THE SAME VOICE ACCENT THAT USUALLY CALL ANSWERED I TOLD THEM A FEW WORDS. SHAME
September 13, 2019
God, I'm glad I found this article...just got off the phone with the same kind of scammer everyone else has reported. These guys prey on your fears, and even get angry with you when you ask questions. He kept asking me, "Do you want to get arrested? Do you want me to tell the police that you were not cooperating with me? I'm trying to protect you, miss. You'll go to prison for ten years." My direct question was, "For what?! I didn't do anything!" His reply was "...for money laundering and fraud, which all of these documents prove you are guilty. You have a bounty on your head and your bank account will be seized." I asked, "What documents???" No response. He wanted me to go to the bank and withdraw ALL the funds in my account and not tell anyone why. REALLY?!! When I said it sounded shady, he started yelling at me and threatening me further, saying he was trying to help me, but now he was going to have an officer come arrest me on the spot. Wow. Where are the cops, guy? I'm still here waiting to go to prison I guess. What a horrible ordeal. They really lead you down a dark path full of lies. He even told me how his young son wanted to have the same job I have when he grows up. I won't even write what I wanted to say to him. Be careful out there everyone.
September 13, 2019
i have gotten multiple calls regarding suspension of ss # and to press such and such for the correct dept etc. they call under various 800 numbers such as 800-824-7701,800-482-8211,800-783-9795 and 800-100-9243 and calling more frequently than usual.
September 13, 2019
Rec. a call from 866-804-0183--did not answer or call back. Looked it up on internet and took me to ftc.gov. This is a dangerous scam trying to get your SS#. DO NOT call ANYONE back you do not know!
September 13, 2019
+1 (800) 969-0146
Got a dumb call from this number. The recording said hat my social was going to be out on hold from the government. I pressed the 1 one option bc I was so curious lol The guy spoke 0 English. I hung up and called this number back and it said Congratulations I won 3 trips and I got to pick cruise, flight or hotel stay. LOL beware!!
September 13, 2019
Just received the call. This is ridiculous. What about those individuals that are naive and wouldn’t understand smh
September 16, 2019
This is the number that called me saying that my social security has been suspended
1 (800) 236-4060
September 13, 2019
Received one of these scam messages just this week. Best thing is to just stop answering calls when you don't know who is calling. That way it gives you a minute to check out the validity. I always call the number during off hours and assess. One easy thing is in my message they use odd phrasing for things Americans wouldn't say. Like, "your social number" or "your Washington DC agency". I hope this helps someone to hold onto their money.
September 14, 2019
I just received this call too and told them I would be visiting the SSA office.
September 14, 2019
Got call from 1 519 214 0848 scammer. I didn't answer my cell phone just let it ring. I've blocked that number on my cell. Don't they have better things to do they take advantage of innocent people. My advice if you don't know number don't answer it.
September 15, 2019
Yes, I got one a few days ago and twice in the past. I just hang up. I feel sorry for people who may believe them.
There should be a way to identify the source and have someone arrested. (Make them pay an extra year of income what they already earn for every call they make!)
September 15, 2019
Scammer called from 1(800)202-3265 (Washington D.C.). Message is in Chinese language.
September 16, 2019
Was told I was under investigation for murder as a car registered to me was found on the Texas/ Mexico border with blood stains. Also said a house rented in my name had just been raided and 20 pounds of cocaine were found. When I said I had no bank account the hung up
September 16, 2019
In the last two weeks, I've received at least 8 calls from them.
September 16, 2019
I received a call (that I didn’t pick up) and a voicemail from +1 (325) 453-0729 from Robert Lee, Texas, stating my social security has been used in fraudulent activities. The person stated it will take legal actions on me.
1. The person in the voicemail sounds foreign.
2. The voicemail literally started to break up when mention on “social security” and it’s potential number.
September 16, 2019
I just had a call saying "Your ss# has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Push 1 to hear more about this. " I didn`t do anything cause I don`t recalled any USA number that the first 3 number after area code starts with a 0, so I just hung up. The number was:
+1816 050 9331
September 16, 2019
I have been getting this call daily sometimes 3 or more times a day .. the last call earlier this morning came from 1-800-747-4544, 1-800-010-4398 called me on Friday ... Its a recording telling me they are from SSA and requesting i press 1 to speak to a Representative ... since i haven't pressed 1 my SSN is now blocked ... Its making me crazy, i know its not SSA they would send a letter as they dont have my cell number on file.
September 16, 2019
Just got one with the number 833-877-6760.
September 16, 2019
Just got a call from 9566202231 regarding social security
September 16, 2019
I keep receiving same calls everyday from 214 273 2031... male or female robo calls about SS being suspended and arrest warrant being issued
September 16, 2019
I just got a call with that exact message (just different voice) from this number:
410 864-8131
telling me to call to:
410 670-7305
Just want to share the details in case it helps tracing this scammers.
September 16, 2019
Just received a fraud call today (9/16/19) . automated call from 800 674 3380. messaged asked me to call the same number back because my account had been "compromised". i called back and the foreign person on the other end asked for name social security number. said someone in texas was using my account information.
September 16, 2019
1-979-633-4966 just got call saying my SSN was involved in criminal activity. Anyone else recognize this#
September 16, 2019
+1 800-918-6870. Just got a call telling me my ssn is being suspended pending investigation. Clearly Indian accent with lots of background noise. Told her to send me a letter lol
September 16, 2019
received numerous scam calls claiming to be calling from Social Security Administration to inform me that my social security number has been suspended and that there is an arrest warrant in my name. Watch out for these two numbers:
(254)339-0625
(254)170-7348
September 16, 2019
just attempted scam 12:43 pm 1800-047-8405
September 16, 2019
I keep getting this call every 2 hours or so since last week.
1 800 777 1711
1 800 888 8118
September 16, 2019
I just got a similar spam call from Texas - 2543308555. So aware of this phone number.
September 16, 2019
Now they’re calling from this number and asking you to call back (562) 725-7322.
September 16, 2019
Yeah, I received three calls within the past few days, all with 888 area codes.
It is a lady's automated vm saying my ssn will be blocked. When I try to call the numbers back, it varies from a medical sales or my call cannot be completed.
I access my info online. This is a little scary and I do feel for those who give these jerks any of your private info.
September 16, 2019
1800-468-6607 Social security scam from this number, Be alert
September 16, 2019
+1 (682) 514-6265 this is one too be careful
September 16, 2019
Just got a call from 866 759 2570. The operator spoke really bad English (with really heavy Asian accent) and asked me my name and "social" number. I gave him a made up name and and told him that I don't have a "social" number. After several exchanges he lost his nerve and asked me to hang up... Clearly a scam. Stay safe!
September 16, 2019
I’m a kid and I just got a call similar to that so I’m really confused
September 16, 2019
In the past week I’ve received over 12 calls from numbers starting with (800), of course I know it’s a scam but be careful with your info. This is getting pretty annoying, usually they call me 3 times a day. Have a wonderful day.
September 16, 2019
Scam # (800) 934-3248. SS benefits 'suspended' call
September 16, 2019
1-800-743-8426 called me, female robot voice, same message, an obvious Social Security scam telling me I need to contact a "social security officer". Beware!
September 16, 2019
I got this call from 833-800-2821.
September 16, 2019
I just received a call from 866-684-2606. I use RoboKiller, but they left a message on that service telling me that my SS has been suspended because of fraud charges. It is upsetting that these people get away with doing this.
September 16, 2019
I received a call from 855 640 7100 telling me my SS number was being suspended. I asked her why and when but she had no answer. She wanted my name so she could make sure she was talking to the correct person. After I asked several questions which she would not answer, she hung up.
September 16, 2019
I got the same call from 1-800-490-0901 about 10 times since last night. Ignored and blocked.
September 16, 2019
Just received a call like this. Wanted me to say my SS#. Said there was fraudulent activity associated with my SS#. The number was 1-844-858-1491
September 16, 2019
I received a phone call from 800-405-0474 from Social Security for legal enforcement against my Social Security. I wonder it is a fraud.
September 16, 2019
I received 3 calls today that stated my SS was suspended,due to criminal act or such,they said they wanted to help me but I had to give full name,date of birth,& SS number.
First 2 callers hung up cause I didn't know date of birth, I told him I don't understand him! He needs to speak English!! Argued said I need listen, for the 6 the time he was saying Richard.
I Shure hope that no gov agency hires an employee that speaks like the person I was trying to talk with.
September 16, 2019
Hello scammer just fall me on my cell phone from 254-2541530 said my social security number was been used and a warrant will be issued..