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
October 03, 2019
do not answer this number they are fake. Block this number
+1 (251) 316-7344
October 03, 2019
I received a Social Security scam from 1-814-422-3629 on 10/02/2019.
October 03, 2019
I receives an Social Security scam call from 1-814-442-3629. Tracked number to Somerset County, PA.
October 03, 2019
I just received a call like this and hung up.
October 03, 2019
A lot of phone calls regarding my SSN in the last two days. Someone needs to do something please.
Numbers used:
(800) 008-1258
(872) 227-0111
(800) 234-8198
(800) 526-1697
(800) 403 8981
(800) 969-7830
October 03, 2019
Call from 1-833-645-3445. I just received a call and they left a message because I never answer any 800 calls, or any other call that starts with an 833 or 835 or any other 800 call unless I am expecting one on that day. The scammer number I just received is from 1-833-645-3445.
October 03, 2019
I just got a voicemail similar to that recording from 8004794995
October 03, 2019
I have received a call with the same threat stating my ssn has been suspended.
Do not give any information if you get a call from this number.
844-468-2474
October 03, 2019
I have received today a phone call from this number 1-800-079-2531 Scammers are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. Press 1 to talk with Social Security Agent or your Social Security been Suspended due to you to unable to pay your bill.
October 03, 2019
I just received this call from 800-514-4423. I hung-up and didn't press 1 as they requested.
October 03, 2019
They call several times a day and from different phones. They intimidate so that you can and revel. Is there really no council for these scammers?
October 03, 2019
Number 512 317 6319 called me and informed me my SSN qwas suspended.
Then, they asked me for my SSN.
I replied, No, you called me and should already know it given your assertion.
Whereupon, the caller hung up.
October 03, 2019
Just received a Social Security spam call from 201-441-6330 in Hackensack, NJ. saying that my social security benefit will be immediately stopped. I am not even a recipient of SS benefit. What a shame we have such criminals hiding and cheating the senior citizens.
October 03, 2019
This is still going on -- you would think there is some way the Administration could help consumers to block this call?? I worry some elderly people that depend on SS dollars may fall victim to the scam.
October 03, 2019
New number 1(800) 453-5724
October 03, 2019
Have received multiple calls from 1-800-206-7248
Saying the exact info above...my social security number has been compromised. They hung up on me when I wouldn’t give them info. It’s most definitely a scam!!
October 03, 2019
Today I received a robo call threatening me with federal action and arrest if I don’t return the call immediately. Called back to get a thickly accented impersonator claiming to be “ answered: “Social Security Administration, George Martin, Federal Social Security Officer”. He hung up on me after i asked to repeat his name spelling and to speak to a supervisor. Call originated from this number:
+1 (833) 500-0564
October 03, 2019
833-630-8914 that is the number that calls at least 10 times a day. Automated like the example above just slightly different words. I did receive a live person and they asked me for my full name and social. I said you called me from SS so you should have that so tell me. They hung up. But they still call!
October 03, 2019
I received a call from a 1-800-213-4348 number saying that it’s the social Security Administration but I hung it up and called it back and got a we can’t complete your call!!!
October 03, 2019
I just received that call so I just hang up and look for this number on the web 1 800 402 6164 and voyla! Scam.
October 03, 2019
Electronically generated voice from 917-911-9337 reiterating the the investigation into fraud, suspending my SSN, arrest warrant etc. I hung up. But 917-911 are a dead giveaway - think a porche (the car) is what this guy is after on everyone else's buck!
October 03, 2019
I'm getting the same calls but I don't answer, I let it go to voice mail and look the number up. This time the # was 814-419-3261. I used to get threatening IRS calls, now it's threatening SSI calls. Give us a break & quit calling!!!
October 03, 2019
979-473-6695 called and said my Social Security number had been suspended call back immediately. Did not call. Will not call. Call was almost verbatim to the recording posted above.
October 03, 2019
I'm getting these message almost everyday since last week.
October 03, 2019
All calls coming from Ontario(That's what shows on my phone). The last # was 6133217965
October 03, 2019
I got a call today.
1-800-250-4525
Is a robocall as well, stating that my SSN benefits will be terminated effective immediately.
October 03, 2019
Heh...got the same call. First off, Social Security will NEVER call you. They said there was a warrant out for my arrest..LOL . I told them to come get me. What a crock! They threatened me with arrest...I said "bring it on". They got upset with me. I just laughed at them and hung up. Do not fall for these scams! Nobody is suspending your SSAN number. Jeez, people.
October 04, 2019
Got 2 calls like that today Said anonymous first time put me on hold for ten minutes called again in afternoon anonymous and wanted my name and social I said you called me you don't know my name or social he hung up hooby jobby guy barley understand him
October 04, 2019
I had the same problem i have invested 250 US dollars now evetything is quite this is the number +271 2001 6137 or 087 151 3391 that happened on the 1st October 2019
October 04, 2019
Just got a call from 800.512.2646 - total scammer... I gave a fake name and then he asked me for my DOB... I said "I'm not going to give you my dob... what's your dob?" He hung up. Moron
October 04, 2019
I just got one as well
October 04, 2019
Calls from
430-818-2871 and 430-772-2427
Machine to have a warrant for your arrest. And ssi suspended??
October 04, 2019
Scam from 1(665) 153-0672. The message was that it was charges against me and bla bla bla
October 04, 2019
I got a call saying my ssn would be frozen, and 1st place t thought was to come here. People need to get a life!
October 04, 2019
More scammers - 10/4/19 Received 2 separate call on my cell today from 866-757-3083 and 866-860-1443 claiming SSA and number compromised and second call SSA legal that I am being sued. Hung up knowing fake calls.
October 04, 2019
Just received a SCAM call from +1 (817) 986-1200. From Fort Worth, Texas claiming my SS was involved in illegal activity, and there was a warrant out for my arrest, all robotically spoken and sounded very fishy, a little intimidating at first but my gut said this doesn’t sound normal. Then it transferred to a guy and I questioned everything I just heard and once I mentioned I was skeptical and unsure of who he was he hung up. ALWAYS question anyone who claims to have information regarding your private information, don’t just give it to them!
October 04, 2019
Received a call from officer Jennifer Walker, badge #3156219 from phone number (410) 438 - 8370 that I'm involved in multiple bank accounts being used in fraud and 10 tons of cocaine was found in my name. "Officer Walker" wanted me to verify my social security number before she could give me a case number. I asked what state she was in and she stated she was in "Tampa, Florida". I asked if it was Tampa Bay or just Tampa and she wasn't sure, then encouraged me to verify that she was real on OIG.SSA.GOV. When I told her I wanted to talk in person she told me to come to 111 S. East Blvd, San Antonio, TX to talk to the social security administration there. Note, She called from a Maryland number.
October 04, 2019
Same voice, similar recording. The recording asks that we call requesting that we call 301-929-7193. I call from and someone is responding at that number.
October 04, 2019
800-855-1419
Called about my SSN being cancelled unless I talk to a SSAdmin agent...
October 04, 2019
I got a similar call from 702-372-6938
October 04, 2019
I am getting calls multiple times a day saying my Social Security number has been frozen: 800.538.3411, 800.540.2607,800.902.8783,800.444.3383 are the numbers they have called from so far. I keep blocking them but they just call from another number. What should I do?
October 04, 2019
+1 (805) 623-0586
They called me 2x saying they have noticed suspicious activity on my social security number and before they take it to the courts they wanted me to call them back at the above number. Yeah, I’m not going to call back. This is getting out of hand.
October 04, 2019
The same caller called my home and tried to scam me. It was the same machine voice. It was the same scam and when I pressed one a guy with an Indian accent got on the line and asked me for my name. I got quiet first, then I said my first name and he said my last name. He then asked me for the last four digits of my social security number. I told him he should know it he called me. I told him I would not give it to him and then I hung up. The number that was used was 866-602-8776.
Beware!!! these people are really good and the scam. The call comes over us "US GOVERNMENT".
Thank you for having this website.
October 04, 2019
Got calls from the following today. All regarding the same thing. That my SS card is suspended and that I needed to call them or face a warrant and arrest:
209-517-8835
209-312-1575
209-574-3163
209-526-4939
209-793-8428
October 04, 2019
I blocked the 800 # and then got another call from 888-874-4981. Relentless.
October 04, 2019
I just got a call and I am a Canadian living in Canada! Go figure! It is a New York State number. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been doing an investigation of these sorts of calls since they target seniors in Canada. They tend to come out of India. They have actually seen local police fraternizing with these call centres. Federal police claim they are trying to set them down but there are so many, they start up again quickly. So even if they are telling you they are calling from a specific state and it shows a number, they can still fake that and be calling from overseas. Ignore them, report it. Block the number.
October 04, 2019
8004870054 called me .
said ss# has been suspended, like that's a thing...
October 04, 2019
Add this number to the list of numbers to be blocked on your phone 1 (972) 737-5556.
October 04, 2019
Just received one of those phone calls stating my SSN has been suspended, trying to report the incoming number, which matches the number given to call back.
5078816270
This was a recorded message using a computer to talk, very robotic sounding voice...
October 04, 2019
yet another scam #:
(313) 748-9632
My friend got this same type of call from this 'scam line' on 10.4.19.