Skip to main content

Probably not. At least, not from the real SSA. But how many of you have gotten calls from someone who said they were the Social Security Administration? And maybe showed the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) or a number close to it on your caller ID? Lots, right?

We’ve seen a spike in the number of people reporting those fake SSA calls to us. Since January 2018, we’ve gotten more than 63,000 reports of this scam. Three percent of those people reported a loss – and they lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484).

You can hear what the scam sounds like here. The caller usually says 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 says your bank account is about to be seized – but if you go put your money on gift cards and then give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. (Of course, you never want to do that, because then your money is just gone.)

To report this scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. But if you already gave one of these callers your SSN and you're worried about identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov/ssa. And if you get one of these calls, remember:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. Your bank account is not about to be seized.
  • The real SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards.
  • You can’t believe the numbers on your caller ID. Scammers can easily fake those. But if you’re worried, call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself – just not on your caller ID.
  • Never give your SSN, credit card or bank account number to anyone who contacts you. Ever.

To hear more from the honest-to-goodness SSA and the FTC about these scams, follow the Facebook Live at noon tomorrow on the SSA’s Facebook page.

To read a version of this blog post in Tagalog, click here.
Upang mabasa ang bersyon ng blog post na ito sa Tagalog, mag-click dito.

To read a version of this blog post in Korean, click here.
블로그 포스트를 한국어로 보시려면 여기를 클릭하세요.

To read a version of this blog post in Traditional Chinese, click here.
如需閱讀此篇博客的繁體中文版,請點擊這裡

To read a version of this blog post in Simplified Chinese, click here.
如需阅读此篇博客的简体中文版,请点击这里

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Alleven
March 06, 2019
Why can't the government do something about this? They are breaking a federal law. Seems like our government can't or won't do anything to protect us from invasion.
sri
March 06, 2019
Got calls from 3 different numbers today 855-325-0448 844-545-9299 866-923-6799
jake
March 06, 2019
I have been getting multiple calls a day from Florida 904 512 2257 (one came at 6:45 am today). I never answer. "They" never leave a message.
Dolilaetn't us…
July 03, 2019

In reply to by jake

I too have been getting calls and then when I called the number back it's always disconnecting but yet today I didn't get my disability check so I don't know what's r eal
felisareciojdl…
March 06, 2019
Thank you for alerting us.
Amateur1
March 06, 2019
I received a call today March 6, 2019 @ 3:15 PM Central Time from Miami Florida. I didn't take the call because I don't answer numbers I don't know. A voice mail was left and it appeared to be a ROBO Call from the Social Security Admin. saying that my Social Security Number had been shown to have suspicious activity against it and was going to be suspended if I didn't call the following number in a timely manner. The number is +1- 786-206-4325. Please beware this is a Scam trying to get tour Social Security Number and other information. Report this kind of activity and let others know that Scammers are out there trying to take advantage of other people and steal their Identify.
Lucy
March 06, 2019
I don't answer my phone unless I recognize the number. If the caller is on the level he or she will leave a message.
alluette
March 07, 2019
Our government is supposed to stop this kind of thing but they are too busy carrying out bogus investigations.
Cindbee
March 07, 2019
I got another call this morning, they left a threatening message that if I didn't get back to tem they would start legal proceedings. I was scammed out of $2000 just last month when the scammers posed as my IT tech. So I definitely wary. I reported it to FTC.
boots
March 07, 2019
Just received a cal from 1-210-742-4547. The person who called from this number left a voicemail that said “ If I didn’t return call right away , legal processing against me would start. 1210-742-4547 is a scam!!
wbenn
July 09, 2019

In reply to by boots

Not true. These people are criminals who use these numbers long enough to steal money and then close all accounts and start up with new numbers and accounts. That is why it keeps happening. When authorities check the numbers, they are changed. If they used the needed resources to track downs the thousands of scams like this, people would be complaing about billions of taxpayer dollars wasted on stopping telemarketers.
Bafled
March 07, 2019
I have been on the DNC list for years and have reported abuse on several occasions. Now I average spam three or more times a day on my home and cell phones. It is to the point that I do not answer my phone unless I am sure who is calling. I need a recognizable caller ID and a believable call back message. Unfortunately, I may miss an important phone call using this approach, but I do not know how to otherwise addess the nonsense. I am out of kind words when answering scam. Best no words at all. I do not know what this means for telephone conversations in the future!
rikoshea
March 07, 2019
you buy a new computer you see programs that need updated.You see ads for a monthly sum they will automatically update your program for youDon't let them do it or give them your business.Updates are easy to do yourself.Found alot would update for you then next month that update was deleted and they were back to install the same thing and chg you for that month.
Mayflower
March 07, 2019
I've gotten calls saying that there is a warrant for my arrest and to please call to clear things up otherwise an officer will be sent to my residence. I never called back.
TN Hillbilly
March 07, 2019
Got a call from Flagstaff Arizona saying it was SSA and made all the above threats. Voice was a synthesized voice of awsomely bad quality. Listened and hung up.
annie
March 07, 2019
I have had many robo calls using: SSN, hospital, people & phone numbers from people I don't know. I wonder WHEN gov't or phone companies are going to find & JAIL these people. I get robo calls early am [before 8am] & up 8:00pm at night
Getting The Same
March 08, 2019
Received 2 calls yesterday from the #210-679-1487, this area code is San Antonia TX. A robo call left the message that the SS# is being used fraudulently, and if a return call isn't made, legal proceedings will be started. I called the # just to check, because I have been taking care of something with SS. A male with a Indian accent answered, I told him I had a wrong #, and hung up. Last night I received another call from the same #. I didn't answer.
Tooparanoidtoc…
March 08, 2019
I have recently started getting these calls claiming to be from SSA. I immediately filed complaints with the AG office, I informed the scammer and he immediately hung up on me! Now this morning another call was left on my answering machine leaving a different callback number. I will continue to file complaints until these calls stop. This is very disturbing to constantly get these calls in the privacy of my home!
gj
March 08, 2019
If you do talk to them get them to tell you how much you owe if they are telling you that they are IRS, etc and you are going to be arrested if you don't pay your bill now. Then call you're local authority to report their number if you got it and the amount they say you owe. Then authorities can go after them
JH
March 08, 2019
Scammer alert for Soc.Sec. Do not answer this No.760-878-5020
flam2
March 09, 2019
Received a scam call from 732-284-3897
PDW
March 10, 2019
I received a voice mail from number 657-206-2649 that left an alarming message. Scammer from the SSA wanting me to give him my SSN...I hung up and blocked the number
Freda Jones
March 10, 2019
I have been too scammed over 43,000 from my bank account with google play cards.. and It was from the social security Administration number and was told It will be safe if I put it on gift cards.. so I believed it and they had my social security number and I need to do it right away . So they kept me on the phone with nobody calling in so I really thought I was going to jail for all they were saying my sss number was being used for money laundering and drugs I have nine properties in my name so I they Sent it and they were telling me to keep it confidential it’s very important so I dont tell my family and hide the gift cards so it went on for 2 days I can’t believe this happened to me just before Christmas too of this year . So I’m hopping I can get these guys from nicaguera and over seas calls .. hope they get caught! it’s calls from there I get all the time so I hope they catch them and I get my stolen money back.!!! It ruined my family is struggling now with one income with our children. That was our savings and checking accounts too. Please help catch theses thief’s and robo calls.!!!
C-IA.
March 10, 2019
Got a Call from SSA- Data control Saturday, was home to take it, I blocked the Number.
MrsGator
March 11, 2019
I just received a call from 800.209.5178 saying if I did not call back the number that my number would be suspended. I did not fall for it.
annoyingscamca…
March 12, 2019
just got a call from 351-277-0126 saying my ss# has been compromised. thank you all for the comments. realized this is just another scam.
Shespos
March 12, 2019
Got a call on my private google voice number from (903) 284-2625 saying I have to call back a social security deputy.
Shespos
March 12, 2019
Social security Administration scammer alert : (903) 284-2625
JD
March 12, 2019
SSA scammers using two additional Texas numbers: 1-469-336-8451 and 1-832-947-7102
Starfireress
March 12, 2019
I receive calls about twice a day, saying they are from Social Security. They go so far as saying your name, than tell you if you don't sign up for what ever it is, my social security will be discontinued, you will lose coverage. At that time I asked, " what is this all about? Than they hung up. Don't fall for this scam or any other as well. I reported this, found Social Security is getting a lot of reports on this situation. They tell you to report this to 800-269-0271 or go to org.ssa.gov/report and report all numbers that have contacted you
Eileen
March 13, 2019
I get loads of similar calls fom ""Medicare". Obviously they all sound like they re in India.
New Round of S…
March 13, 2019
Hello Folks beware I got two calls today from 866-404-8568 and 866-404-8115 that my SS card and number have been revoked. they say press 1 to speak to an agent. Of course I hung up. One left a voicemail on my cell phone. Be careful. I wish the phone companies can block these calls. All the best
Boggled
March 13, 2019
I keep getting calls from San Antonio, TX from someone who says he's Sergeant So & So (w/strong accent) asking me for personal information. I knew from the start it was a scam. I just wanted to see how far he would go. I never gave up my info, but right when I told him I knew he was a scam, he hung up!
Creeped out
March 13, 2019
Don't answer a call from this number 210-987-8505, from San Antonio, TX.
CP
March 14, 2019
I've gotten a series of calls that's a robot pretending to be from the SSA about legal enforcement. I've reported all of them to the DNC system and the FTC and will continue to do so. Here are the numbers that have called me so far: 707-404-3592 928-415-1184 602-910-5715
R
March 14, 2019
Newest telephone number being used in this scam is: 310-853-8476. May be a spoofed number I don't know.
MattS
March 15, 2019
Didn't recognize the number and let it go to voicemail. Automated voicemail left stating that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1 for more information... Phone number is 866-404-0254
ITS ME
March 15, 2019
This number called me today at 707-340-3171 it was a recording saying saying that it was the SSI social security saying that my social security number has been compromise is used for fraud that I need to call him back right away or be prosecuted
MattS
March 15, 2019
3 times so far today.... Blocked the original number 866-404-0254 but am now getting the same automated call from 866-404-5145. Automated call from the "Social Security Administration" stating that my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1 to find out more about "the case". Call hangs up automatically in about 5 or 10 seconds when no option is chosen.
chris
March 15, 2019
Getting these exact calls several times a day the last few days...each time from a slightly different number: 866-404-5689 866-404-5145 866-404-0254
Usardeljefe
March 15, 2019
I received multiple calls from multiple numbers telling me how my SSN has been suspended. I just laughed it off and blocked them, but it’s super annoying...
kanorris
March 15, 2019
Received 2 called today from1-888-305-8883 threatening legal action. left a different number to call back 1-800-770-0989. Called twice just to see what would happen. 2 heavily accented men answered claiming to be with SSA. This was after 5 pm! Both hung up when i wouldn't give them the information. SSN and BOD. They are now turning it over to my local police department who will issue an arrest warrant.
Dave
March 15, 2019
Got call from 888-988-8993 twice today pretending to be SSA. Let it go to voice mail. Called back for fun n asked guy from his credentials n supervisor info n he hang up.
Sea2cat
March 17, 2019
I have gotten voice messages from Rutherford NJ from this number stating that legal action will be taken if I don’t call back. I haven’t returned the call. 201-340-6450
another scam
March 18, 2019
Just received a robo call this morning with caller ID of the real SS agency of 1800 772 1213, caller ID even said US Government. We laughed, as if the government will call us with any news!
cheries
March 18, 2019
Initially, I received a ROBOTIC call (women's voice) saying the the SSA was trying to get a hold of me and that there was a warrant out for my arrest and to call the SSA patrol office at 512-721-2832. So, just for "kicks" I did just that. Of course, an ARABIC speaking dude answers the phone. I call 6 times, and let them know that this was a scam, that there has never been a warrant out for my arrest and never will be! Wow! I can not believe these idiots think we are so STUPID!
Claiming to be…
March 18, 2019
Scammers called from numbers 281-241-7362 and 716-703-8332.
donotanswer
March 19, 2019
Hello Folks beware I had calls today from 602-529-3518 that my SS card and number have been revoked. they say press 1 to speak to an agent. Of course I hung up.
John Doe
March 19, 2019
New Scam from Social Security 202-335-5996
NotFallinForIt
March 19, 2019
Is there a repository of numbers they use for call back ect, would this even be useful to the FTC ? this was the call back # I got: 972 505 3323