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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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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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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
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JDOGG35
September 27, 2019

In reply to by scam still going

My number 1 906 787 3655 from Michigan and they said my number is suspended due to criminal activity
Sadie@384
September 27, 2019
Got a call from 1-866-366-7525 which the same scam as described here. I NEVER answer a call from a number I don’t know and mostly those are scams these days. But I have gotten several calls regarding the SSN from a variety of numbers
Just4Kicks
September 27, 2019
I have fun with these calls. I usually just ask them to provide credentials and act like i am looking it all up. Then let them know i cannot find any valid info. Ask the employee for his/her full name and they usually just hang up. The really skilled ones will keep the facade going for a while and just give up. If you have the time, waste theirs. One less phone call they will make that day.
Nakatowilliams…
September 27, 2019
Just a call from a man with a heavy middle eastern accent that said my social security number is being used for crime and drug activities in Texas. He claimed he was with SSA of Texas.. Said my ss number will be suspended and someone will arrive at my door with documentation to proceed with legal action. Asked me to verify my social and I refused. I tried to get me to verify my address which he had an old address. I said I am not giving you any information and I will contact my local police department and go from there. I know the SSA will NEVER ask you to verify your social over the phone and I instantly knew it was a scam call. I politely hung up and sighed in relief. Don’t give your social , address or personal Information to anyone claiming they’re SSA. It’s always a scam. And report it here Info from caller: Eric broad from Social security administrative department of district of Texas Employee ID SSA821 812-512-1242 Claims: someone Using my name and social for money laundering and drug and my social will be suspended.
anna
September 27, 2019
I got a call from +1 844 030 4037 stated that my SS number was suspended due to fraudulent activity and that I should press 1 to get more info.
Concern Z
September 27, 2019
The same just now.. Add this to your block list of numbers 800 808 9873 “This call is from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you have received a phone 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…”
Ms C
September 27, 2019
1-866-329-8372 calling everyday!!! Wanting my ss # or threatening me with arrest !!
reyes489940
September 30, 2019
I just got a call saying that the ssa department has filed a law suit against me and a arrest warrant has been released because of fraudulent activities. Is this a scam?
lynp
September 27, 2019
The one i recieved wasnt like that
Raven
September 27, 2019
I have gotten 2 of these calls in the last 20 minutes. Here are phone # used. 516-874-6780.
Noname
September 27, 2019
559-403-0900 I just received the call from this number regarding SSN cancelled. They asked me to call back and talk to officer to reactive my SSN.
Justhangup
September 27, 2019
This week I've received 2-5 calls a day on my cel phone with the social security scam. For months it was the Chinese scam. They keep spoofing the caller ID and leaving messages so blocking the numbers on my iPhone is kind of pointless. A few of these call scam centers were located in the US and arrests were made last year but due to the advent of VOIP calls - they can be from anywhere around the world. They prey on the elderly and they keep at it because they succeed or they wouldn't do it. Very sad.
Why Can't The …
September 27, 2019
I just received a call with the same script but using a robo woman's voice. I hung up right away, but how in today's world is this still happening with all the tech and knowledge available?
Shammalamma
September 27, 2019
I received a call from phone number ​(800) 665-0609​. A computerized voice stated my Social Security number had been suspended because of suspicious activity and a warrant had been issued for my arrest!!! I hung up figuring it was a scam, did a google search for the number and the keywords “SSN” “suspended” “warrant for arrest” and found this page. These people perpetrating these scams are horrible. An elderly person unfamiliar with today’s technology would fall for it and be terrified as well as scammed out of money. Again the number that called was: ‭(800) 665-0609‬
Shelly
September 27, 2019
I just got a scam call saying they were the ssa there number on my called I'd wasn't even there's I didn't answer it I get these scam calls all the time almost everyday I don't answer the phone when they call and put their number on call block I look at it this way all you phone scammers stop trying to get other people's money get a job and try earning your money find something better to do with your time scammers you are annoying and this is considered harrasment I hope every one of you gets caught!!
Shelly
September 27, 2019
I just got a scam call saying they were the ssa there number on my called I'd wasn't even there's I didn't answer it I get these scam calls all the time almost everyday I don't answer the phone when they call and put their number on call block I look at it this way all you phone scammers stop trying to get other people's money get a job and try earning your money find something better to do with your time scammers you are annoying and this is considered harrasment I hope every one of you gets caught!!
Brandi
September 27, 2019
I just received a Social Security Scam call from 888-900-3090.
Don't use your…
January 30, 2020

In reply to by Brandi

I just received a social security scam call from 1/800/382/0837
Sloride
September 27, 2019
I get these calls al the time..don't answer..it goes straight to voicemail. Do people actually give these idiots money? Sad
Don't use your…
September 27, 2019
I have recently received phone calls from these numbers scammers 260 310 8135 and 9723383607 I asked them if there was someone local I could go see in person they hung up watch out for these numbers
Social Securit…
September 27, 2019
Number: 1-812-247-6760 is pulling this scam too....
Don't use your…
September 27, 2019
All of the people that have called me are of India as far as the accent appears they have said my number was under drug related issues please be careful
m_mutant
September 30, 2019
Just got a call from 1-616-727-7043 saying that they were from the Department of Social Security Administration and my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Same scam as described above, just a new number.
Gentlhart
September 27, 2019
I got two of them today. I thought about pressing 1 just to play with them. If they ask for my ss#, I would tell them that I didnt have one because it got suspended. I dont have a bank account so I can't help them there either so i will just have to wait for the swat team to surround my house and be on the 5 o'clock news. I'll be the one waving to the camera and saying "hi mom". What can the FTC do about it besides make a report?
Michelle Voorhees
September 27, 2019
Yes just like this but s girl voice and Now the don't ask in the recording for SS number. Now they say they are the arresting officer and to take care of this immediately. So your panicked if you do click through pay attention real closely to the way the talk. You'll here it their accent gives it away. They'll try to have our accents but they can not even come close to the Southern drawl or the Boston accent. Pay real close attention you'll here it. Tell them your making a homeland security call today and giving them this number and their name. So they can stop this. Let them think you've been recording the conversation the whole time and your calling your lawyer too. They won't call anymore!!!!!
23rowboat
September 27, 2019
One called me but the number is 1800 972 3981, said the same thing
JDOGG35
September 27, 2019
I recently got a call from a 1 906 787 3655 number from Michigan and I live in Shreveport Louisiana
TG
September 27, 2019
18006270182 is also used
Helloanyonehome
September 27, 2019

In reply to by TG

I got a call with this voicemail from ‭+1 (800) 729-8067 stating that they were from the SSI office and my social security is currently being suspended. I dialed 1 and spoke to a fake social security case worker, ‬ Who gave me a fake warrant#stating that I was going to be transferred to a u.s Marshall to either reject the case or that I may be a victim of identify theft. They said i had 15 accounts under my SSI and currently have an arrest warrant for smuggling 2millions and laundering cocaine. They gave me 2 options that 1.) I was going to be arrested after I hang up the call or speak with agent from law enforcement in which they actually used Corona Pd’s number but it was fake. They then told me to send all my credit cards from the back and front at this number ‭+1 (415) 527-3802‬!
Ster-M
September 27, 2019
Received a call today saying my SS benefits will be canceled and my SS number blocked until further clearance. I don’t have a SS case. Number they called from is (800) 875-1896.
Fedup
September 28, 2019
Received to calls yesterday from two different numbers. One number was 812-247-6760. Both automated. They were calling from SSA and that my ss mumber was linked to criminal activity and i needed to call that number before they filed legal charges. I called back and a guy with a foreign accent answered. I said someone just called left voicemail. What do you want? He daid what is your name. I said i dont know you tell me. He said this is" and called me by my last name from my first marriage" I told him that is not my name. He made a sound and hung up. The second call was from the number above. This time when they answered a foreign guy said SSA. I said someone called from this number. What do you want? Again he said is this" called me by old married name" i said no not my name. I said this is a scam and i am reporting this number to the authorities. He said miss hang up the the phone. I said SSA would send correspondence not a phone call. He said hang up the phone now . i said this is a scam dont call me again. I am not falling for this crap and i hung up.
TRSunny
September 28, 2019
Just received a call from 1-800-605-5497 for the same scam.
Irishnana
September 28, 2019
Just received a call that sounded suspicious. Told to press 1 I did so but went no further. Lots of noise in background. Beware
Philadelphia
September 28, 2019
Just received phone calls from 855 212 8105 stating there was illegal activity on my so dial security number and needed me to confirm my number. I immediately threatened the caller with reporting them to the government and they hung up. Don't ever give your information over the phone
shelly
September 28, 2019
What should someone do if they do fall prey to a scam?
magpie
September 28, 2019
I received a call from 406-213-9667, they said there will be a warrant out for my arrest for illegal social security actions, I was told to call them back with my updated personal info I told them to come and get me I will wait right here! Scammers beware we are on to you!
Lady67
September 30, 2019
I have been getting this one and now a ladys doing it on recorder.. I get at. Least 2 a week..NOW. I applied for an online loan and the # that texted me sms to say im approved is that number.. Thank goodness i did NOT respond. Becareful everyone .
SH
September 30, 2019
1 800 615 8166 (Chicago IL) Just received a call from this number and it just sounded like what is described here. Thank god I don't have an SSN yet.
Mike
September 30, 2019
I just got one from 896-181-7514
kmiller314
September 30, 2019
844-386-0847 called stating my social security card will be shut down and asked me for all of my identifying information INCLUDING my social security number. I gave no information and told them they are a scam and they hung up. Sounded like a foreign person asking for the information.
ultimate warrior.
September 30, 2019
Today, I got a call from 1-815-508-7550 and in voice message they said that my SSN was used for criminal purpose in Texas and asked me to call back. The voice message quality was exact same like in this article. As soon as I heard it, I know it was 100% scam. Just want to dig in more I called back and a male voice responded and in same quality of voice( robotic voice) asked for my first and last name. I gave them a nice reply and blasted them off saying that their is no need for you to reach me I will reach Social Security Administration office and will find out and hung up. They are also using 1-815-508-7550
Kurk
September 30, 2019
Stepson just called me with one of these 1-619-202-7582. Asking for his SSN and that his account was going to be suspended.
jvw
September 30, 2019
I just received a scam call from an automated recording stating that my social security number was under investigation, that there was a warrant out for my arrest. That I should press 1 to talk to a representative about my case. The number is 800-704-7368. I received the call on 9/30/2019
quyen
September 30, 2019
I have received a call from 202-745-9081 .That my Social Security number is not about to be suspended, that bank accounts will be ceased and legal pending against me and need to call them back. Another number to add on the scammer list.
Chief
September 30, 2019
Just called from 844 386 1284 telling me my social security account is suspect and to press 1 to speak with agent. Check it out
Winzhu
September 30, 2019
Received a call today from another number 619-404-2522 saying that they will suspend my SS number. Please be aware. I've also received phone calls from scammers claiming that they are from the Norristown, PA State Police!
james
September 30, 2019
Got a SSN scam call from 844-474-3462
Betty
September 30, 2019
This call is from "Social security administration" the nature behind this call is to inform you about a suspension notice we have received against your social security number by the Federal Crime and Investigation department. We need to talk to you as soon as possible. Again this call is from Social Security Administration number to reach department is (223) 209-0029 I repeat it (223) 209-0029call them back at (223) 209-0029 Thank you
Carlos
September 30, 2019
I received 3 scam calls on my prepaid cell telephone number today regarding to my Social Security number has been suspended. I deleted all 3 messages because I know these were scam calls. What's so troubling to me, how on earth do these people get my cell telephone number? I hate these people and these annoying scam calls.
Marjorie
September 30, 2019
Scam say8ng SS will be cancelled. 800 993-3169