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Your Social Security number is an important key for an identity thief. Scammers want it, and they think of all sorts of ways to trick you into giving it away.

Here at the Federal Trade Commission, we’re getting reports about calls from scammers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. They say there’s been a computer problem, and they need to confirm your Social Security number.

Other people have told us that they have come across spoof websites that look like the place where you would apply for a new Social Security card – but these websites are actually a setup to steal your personal information.

If you get a phone call or are directed to a website other than ssa.gov that is claiming to be associated with the Social Security Administration, don’t respond. It’s most likely a scam.

Here’s some tips to deal with these government imposters:

  • Don’t give the caller your information. Never give out or confirm sensitive information – like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number – unless you know who you’re dealing with. If someone has contacted you, you can’t be sure who they are.
  • Don’t trust a name or number. Con artists use official-sounding names to make you trust them. To make their call seem legitimate, scammers use internet technology to spoof their area code – so although it may seem they are calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.
  • Check with the Social Security Administration. The SSA has a warning about these scams and suggests you contact them directly at 1-800-772-1213 to verify the reason for the contact and the person’s identity prior to providing any information to the caller.

If you come across one of these scams, please report it to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271, or 1-866-501-2101(TTY), and then tell the FTC about it.

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.

Daniel from TN
October 30, 2018

In reply to by Wise One

In the very VERY RARE situation that Social Security does call you about a problem with your payments, the caller will not ask you for any information, but tell you to report to the nearest Social Security office. This happened to my mother several years ago. I took her to the local office and the problem was resolved in a few days.
Carrboni
November 14, 2018

In reply to by Wise One

I also received several Robo calls from a scammer but they were using the actual SS phone number we’re supposed to call. 1-800-772-1213. Hiya IDs it as the SS Administration. I’ve never seen that happen. It’s still clearly a scam. When I called the above number per other comments here, the recorded message asked me for my ss#. No way I’m going to give that out to anyone over the phone. Guess I’ll just keep blocking the number and ignoring the messages. And if they want to contact me, they can send me a letter!
Big Al
November 16, 2018

In reply to by Carrboni

I got a call from the same scammer and they also used the 1 800 772 1213 number. I called back and guy with a heavy accent started asking me for personal information. I said that he sounded fraudulent and the phone went dead in a heartbeat! How can they be using the real ss number?
Be smarter than them
May 16, 2019

In reply to by Big Al

If you simply click on the number that called you in your call history, it will not call the number you see, it will call the number that they called from. It will not be the ssa, it will be their number. The way the spoofing technology works is, They choose a number to call, it will change their number on your end where it looks like whatever number they choose, it is coded to stay that way on your end but returning the call doesn't call the number they choose to show up as, but instead calls their actual number back. To report a fraudulent ssa call, you will need to call the ssa directly by dialing the number your self. 1-800-772-1213 is the number listed on the OIG SSA website for scams. https://oig.ssa.gov/scams-involving-impersonation-ssa-employee
Andy
November 30, 2018

In reply to by M

Me too. They somehow cloned the irs number and yelled at me for money. Federal Marshals are on the way! I told them to come and get me!
Done With Thes…
January 25, 2019

In reply to by M

210-361-1558 Call them back 100 times and let them know what you think of them.
Daisy
April 16, 2019

In reply to by Done With Thes…

LOL, I put them on speed dial and mute and just call them every couple minutes. I'm not even listening, the phone is just on the table.
Jess
June 24, 2019

In reply to by Daisy

Yes! I’ve been doing the same thing today. I hope I make their day a little more annoying than usual.
Don't use your…
August 07, 2019

In reply to by M

Is that the number that comes on your screen or call log, or the number they want you to call? I got a call telling me to call a number that did not show up on my screen or my call log. It seems that will usually block their number.
CM
July 26, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

I called 800-772-1213, mentioned fraud on voice response, and the recording said to call back later, and disconnected!
donthave one
October 04, 2018

In reply to by CM

I just received the call from the800 number as well. Scary that even the government isn’t same from scams since this is your number calling consumers
Notgonnascamme
October 05, 2018

In reply to by CM

I just got calls from a Temple TX scammer 254-274-0414....anyone else? Tried to report it to SSA fraud line, but, the fraud office is closed and to speak with anyone was a two hour wait…
?fraudagain!!
November 15, 2018

In reply to by Notgonnascamme

Got a call from that same number on Nov. 12. Tried calling S.S. waited 20 minutes on hold and then was told to call back. Have tried calling S.S. back and get the same response.
jkearley
October 22, 2018

In reply to by CM

Same thing happened to me. I called the 1-800-772-1213 back, and when I asked to speak with “fraud,” Was disconnected.
Sexy Sunshine
February 19, 2019

In reply to by jkearley

Wow this site gave me that phone number to call as well and I can not get through to anyone I'm so lost right now because I don't know what to do and I'm extremely angry of this bull....!!!! Any
jim
August 07, 2019

In reply to by Sexy Sunshine

Does the number show up in your call log? Why not? If its legit, it should.
nicole
June 03, 2019

In reply to by CM

I just had a call this morning saying the same. My ss was suspended please call them back. It crazy how much worse it has gotten out there.
June 6, 2019
June 06, 2019

In reply to by nicole

Me too! I could hear a lot of people on phones in the background calling and talking! Why can't someone do something about these crazies? ??
Answer Never.
June 12, 2019

In reply to by June 6, 2019

Two calls in June. from these idiots. That is what they are. 888-075-9964 & 917-628-2344. Your Social security number has been "SUSPENT" says the first on June 7, SUSPENDED due to suspicious activity says the second on June 11. Of course they only talk to our answering machine. We NEVER answer any calls. If no one would ever answer, wouldn't they stop?
Rita
August 01, 2019

In reply to by Answer Never.

Just received same call that SSN was suspended due to suspicious activity. Call went to VM. The instructions were if I wanted info on case to press 1, no other information. Caller ID showed "Unknown" but the number was 877-358-8223. I called back to check and message stated # not in service.
M
August 16, 2019

In reply to by Rita

Got a call today about my SSN from 832-239-8282 that my ssn is going to be suspended.
Jacob
August 22, 2019

In reply to by Rita

I just got a call exactly the same way you described but the number was (844) 404-6451
lisa
June 07, 2019

In reply to by nicole

I just got the same call today. They said it was from the Social Security Administration. Told me my SSN # was frozen due to fraud and to call them back at (859)712-9338.
AshleyH
June 21, 2019

In reply to by nicole

Just got three calls today from an area code 510. one left a message, the rest did not. it was a recording that my SS was suspended due to suspicious activity. SO ANNOYING.
Amber
August 08, 2019

In reply to by AshleyH

I had the same thing happen from ph# 800-004-8486. They said my SSN had suspicious activity and legal enforcement was about to be filed
Songbird
November 02, 2018

In reply to by Cyn M

I just had 2 calls today 11-2-18 about froud on my ss, the number was 903 224 6904, when I called the first thing they asked for was my ss#.
A.Lew
January 26, 2018
Thanks
Kevin
November 06, 2018

In reply to by A.Lew

I was told no one is available at this time thanks
Misty
November 29, 2018

In reply to by Kevin

This is the response when I called in too!
tappydog
January 26, 2018

I WISH WE COULD MAKE THIS CLEAR TO SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THIS TRASH. I HAVE RECEIVED MANY SUCH CALLS, PARTICULARLY FROM THE "IRS" TELLING ME I OWE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS -- I AM AN IRS ENROLLED AGENT -- THEY PICKED THE WRONG PERSON TO SCAM.

Kristie Dogg
April 14, 2018

In reply to by tappydog

They call me once a month at least threatening to issue a warrant for my arrest — unless of course I call them at this fake overseas number and arrange immediate payment.
Judy
May 07, 2018

In reply to by Kristie Dogg

Just got this morning stating there was a warrant for my arrest from SSI! Geez how stupid do these scammers think we are!
Sarahh
May 17, 2018

In reply to by Judy

I just received a call/voicemail from 361-879-9711 that my ss#has been compromised and I need to contact them immediately. I googled numbers associated with the Social Security Admin. and, as I thought, it was a scam. I get so tired of these people thinking that I would actually give them my information.
Frustrated in AZ
June 11, 2018

In reply to by Sarahh

I have received 2 calls today saying that my SS# was compromised and the last call said they were going to suspend my SS#.....never received these types of calls before
Furious in MA
June 12, 2018

In reply to by Frustrated in AZ

Same thing happened to me this morning. It infuriates me what lengths people will go to in order to attempt to steal other people's identities.
BARBARA K
June 12, 2018

In reply to by Frustrated in AZ

OF COURSE I DID NOT CALL THE NUMBER BACK THAT THEY LEFT ON MY CELL PHONE SO I WILL EXPOSE IT HERE F Y I......361 879 6933. NEVER CALL THEM BACK I AM SURE THE S S AD WOULD NEVER SUSPEND A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
ALB
June 15, 2018

In reply to by BARBARA K

I got a call back as well but the number is 774-226-8317 the same number that is a missed call on my call log. I never heard of a person's SSN being suspended considering its your identity.
Sandy
June 18, 2018

In reply to by BARBARA K

I received the exact same 2 messages today from the same phone number as well. I did not call back.
David Massachusetts
June 21, 2018

In reply to by Frustrated in AZ

This is sick. The people saying this stuff is actually threatening us. They are pathetic!
kramit25
June 25, 2018

In reply to by David Massachusetts

My husband got a call from a Massachusetts number saying his SSN has been compromised and that it’s suspended. He wanted me to do some digging as he has never been scammed before. The IRS called me last week threatening to take me to jail for warrants so I know that was fake. I never heard of this scam though. Sad that people go to these lengths to con someone.
Denaya698
April 01, 2019

In reply to by kramit25

I received this same call claiming my ssn has been compromised and has been suspended from a number in Utah. I am glad i did not give any information. Especially since i recently applied for SSD, so the call actually seemed appropriate but the man speaking did not sound professional at all calling himself an agent.
Gn
May 17, 2019

In reply to by Denaya698

Same thing just happened this morning. The phone number I received the message from was ‭+1 (716) 413-0442‬.
Anonymous
May 20, 2019

In reply to by Denaya698

I received two phone calls, identical recordings, in the last 5 days. Both said that my social security number has been suspended because they found some suspicious activity so if I want to know about the case to press one...ugh...no thank you. So frustrating. #"s were 1-877-803-6018 & 1-877-803-6029.
Anonymous
May 31, 2019

In reply to by Anonymous

I just received a phone call from 855-323-7879 stating same thing as comment above. So glad I have Google screening on my phone so I can weed out these scammers!
Anonymous
July 05, 2019

In reply to by Anonymous

I received a phone call from 800-944-0725 with the same recording, stating my SSN was compromised and suspended.
JSpann
June 25, 2018

In reply to by Frustrated in AZ

I received 2 calls today from a MD #. He asked for my phone #..... that they called and then stated my SS# has been compromised. I could barely hear what he was saying with the other people in the back ground coughing and talking. I told him I could barely hear him because of the loud talking in the background and he hung up.
Azapril
July 25, 2018

In reply to by JSpann

I also received a call today from MD, they left a recorded message saying the my SS# was used for illegal activities and I needed to call them back ASAP. When I called the first thing they asked for was my SS# and I refused to give it to them I was told they could not help me and they hung up. And yes it was very noisy in the background.
NClhc
September 11, 2018

In reply to by Azapril

I have received this call twice. I blocked the first number but they just used a different number. At the end she said, "If you do not contact us, then all I can do is wish you good luck as this situation unfolds." What professional would use a comment like that?!!
Cee-dub
January 17, 2019

In reply to by NClhc

I got a call like this today..The man had an accent and became angry when I told him that I wasn't comfortable giving out my SS# over the phone. He said that he would just have to contact the court and proceedings against me would begin..He gave me his name, Badge # and extension #.. Can't believe these people are getting away with this.!#
Panda Bear
March 13, 2019

In reply to by Cee-dub

I got 2 calls like this today. Same thing except they didn't give me their badge information. One time the woman said she would alert the authorities to have me arrested. She had a strong accent and she too got pissy when I told her I wasn't comfortable giving out that information over the phone and asked her what this was concerning. She raised her voice at me saying she could not access the file without knowing my social. The second call was a guy with a thick accent (totally different phone number) and he flat out hung up on me after I asked him about the court proceedings he was threatening me with.