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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.

Bone
May 20, 2020
‪+1 410-965-1420‬- a call received from this phone number. From social security administration. SCAM.
ScamBaiterFan
May 26, 2020
Just received a call from “Officer Neil Mathews” from SSN. Address 400 Virginia Ave, Wash DC. Won’t give his number, said I can look it up. There’s a problem with my SSN and Texas. He wants me to verify my name and SSN. I wouldn’t give either. He asked me to confirm my first name which he knew. He started to get impatient when I wouldn’t get on my computer and go to Google search. I told him I didn’t have a computer. He began to threaten to freeze my assets and SSN due to criminal activity. I told him he didn’t sound very professional. He threatened to hang up on my twice. I protested his behavior and how he spoke to me so he finally hung up. Heavy foreign accent. Could hardly understand him. That was my first red flag. And he wouldn’t give me his phone number. Second red flag. Didn’t know my SSN, wanted me to give it to him, third red flag.
Dave
May 26, 2020
Received a voice mail after I blocked it as spam from number (435) 267-0659 saying "before this matter goes to federal court and you get arrested call back this number." Very annoying.
will not be fooled
May 27, 2020
Just received a phone call from 206 470 3573 Someone claiming to call me from the Social Security Department, and claiming that someone had been using my SS# for fraudulent activities in Texas. They gave the case ID as DML 701 His name was Allen Scott (but he had a indian accent, lol) Federal Badge ID SSA-4428. He claimed there was an arrest warrant for me, # 47MLS215. I told him I didn't believe him. He said I can check him at the SS department, and I should go there and check his badge number. I asked him to spell his first name, Allen. He did. I told him he did not sound like an Allen Scott. At that point he hung up on me. I blocked the number.
popehentai
October 09, 2020

In reply to by will not be fooled

Just got a call using this exact same warrant number. Claiming to be officer "Brian Davis" in "texas" no county or city. Badge #971583.
Sunny1
May 28, 2020
I have been getting calls from (315) 609-8288 for the last two days on my cell phone. This number has been noted as a Social Security Scam and or IRS Scam. Yesterday, I did not answer it and today, I answered it and told them that I was from the fraud department. They did not say anything, and I hung up.
Vividaura
May 29, 2020
772-321-3892 This is a scam phone number. They used the "you are being charged with yada yada yada". Very heavy accent on the other line. Watch out for this #.
WI Not up for Scam
June 01, 2020
1-833-420-4373 "We have an order to suspend your SSN for many suspicious activities on your SSN. Call us back." NOT
Joe
June 01, 2020
They are calling my phone every hour using several numbers. so far 469/363-8107, 469/247-7920, and various numbers for 414. This is driving me crazy. I keep blocking number, but they just change them. My wife, an kids are also getting bombarded. Please someone put a stop to this. They have to leave a trace,
Hedysap
June 02, 2020
I got a call today and this is the message they left. "Hi this is officer Ethan Black calling you from the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement action filed against your social security number over on your end activities. So whenever you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on our number before we get the legal proceedings that is 864-564-5906. I repeat 864-564-5906 thank you." I can easily block this number cause I know it's a scam but I wanted to report it so everyone can see that it's a scam.
HP
June 08, 2020
I received call from number 1-361-326-1219 identify the fraud or criminal identity to verification purpose. Just have a massage but call every day in a week. The call is fraud.
Jeffersonmack
June 08, 2020
I received a call from an Officer Daniel Brown, badge number 02840175, from Baltimore, MD claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The address of the office given to me was 1100 Security Blvd. This man told me that I had an arrest warrant in the state of Texas and made me give him my last 4 digits of my social security number. I provided it to him and searched online for this person and saw scam posts on this person. The number that was used to call me was 786.623.2102. Please be aware this is a scam.
Western star
June 08, 2020
Got a call from 833 594 0640 telling me to call ss office about a fraud with my ssn.
PewPew
June 09, 2020
Just got a call, second one today, from "OFFICER KELLY JONES" stating that they are from SSA and there is fraudulent activity associated with my ss#. Gave me a number to call back 214-444-6285. Gonna have to get up earlier than that to fool me.. stupid.
Janine
June 09, 2020
I see received 9 calls from this number in one day, starting at 11:19 a.m. to 7: 11 p.m. no one answers but it audibly disconnects.
Gino Don't use…
June 10, 2020
this number 305-826-1073 From Miami Fl, called me with automated voice saying that my ss was suspended due to fraudulent activity in Texas. So fishy, of course I hung up.
Scam Alert
June 10, 2020
779 235 5421...Here's another scam number. Wish they would do something about these.
IdaD
June 15, 2020
I just received a call from 361-315-1455 saying this was a Social Security important matter concerning a legal action because of a fraud.
jo2020
June 15, 2020
Received call from 202 932 3366 Washington DC about my social security asking me to call back.
Safety 101
June 15, 2020
Scam. I received a call from‭+1 (210) 794-9415‬ (San Antonio,TX) Stating that that was a fraudulent claim attached to my Social Security number. This information is incorrect this cold caller is a scammer!
Gwen
June 16, 2020
Bot calling at it finest. Second time today got a call from the Social Security administration, press 1 to speak to someone or to call them back at... if not I would be arrested. I pressed one to talk someone and they started to talk and I told them to please send someone to arrest me.. they hung up on me. First call came from 630-369-589 Second call came from 630-523-9320
G Cha
June 16, 2020
Got a call 604 723 5188, saying there's a problem with my SIN. Constantly receiving such calls. Who should be responsible to crack down those scammers?
KAZ
June 17, 2020
‭+1 (915) 591-2331‬ Do not answer, this is a scam call to get your social security number.
kz
June 17, 2020
844-509-1736 call Social Security Scam
Johanna
June 18, 2020
I'm from Puerto Rico and this is the second time I receive a call from this number -915-591-9761 related to problems with my SSN. Even saying that they will freeze my accounts. I already know that SS never calls you. So I hang up. But be aware!!
Hank
June 18, 2020
Got a prerecorded message saying my SS number was compromised and I was a target of police action. Never answered or returned call. Let them come in person.
AE
June 18, 2020
This is still going on just know that SSA will never call you on your phone , never its all a scam.
Pjkendall
June 18, 2020
I recieved a voicemail about the social security to work program from this number tonight.
Navymom
June 19, 2020
I got a text from 205-627-3153 but not for SS scam like others, this was a paypal scam.
Ccapblue
June 22, 2020
Just received a call (936 463 5050) that went to voice mail from a woman claiming to be agent Kelly Jones, and they are about to pursue legal action against me for fraud concerning my Social Security. So, I called back. A man answered with a thick accent. I could hear all the background noise associated with what we hear on overseas call center calls. Much talking in the background. I explained who called, and why. The man seemed confused. I think I spoke too quickly in English for him to understand. “I transfer you....” and then hung up. Total scam call.
tired
June 22, 2020
phone call from 906 364 4002 claiming they were SS administration and that I was under investigation for SS fraud and money laundering
Miami
June 23, 2020
They call me every day from 305-898-1584 claiming the are going to suspend my social security number it's a scam
FDan
June 23, 2020
Got a call from 1-516–412-6059. They claim to be the Social Security Administration. They aren’t. Ignore them.
Your user name…
June 25, 2020
This is what called me “Hi this call is to inform you about a suspension notice if you have received against your Social Security number regarding some fraudulent activities running in the state of Texas so we need to talk to you as soon as possible _⁠_⁠_ _⁠_ this call is from Social Security administration my number to reach _ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ apartment is 43020524 I repeat that is 430-205-2842 thank you…”
Hihaterzbhustling
January 24, 2021

In reply to by Your user name…

I know that phone
SteveVee
June 26, 2020
‭+1 (443) 252-8960‬ Fraud Alert. Computer voice message my Ss has been suspended due to fraudulent activity...
WearyInTexas
June 29, 2020
Received voicemail to contact a federal officer or my social security card/benefits will be discontinued. Call came in from and number left on voicemail were the same - 240-503-1725.
SFSb
June 30, 2020
Adding another number IRS scam phone number, from Washington DC number is 202*963*2221.
Northeast Ohio
June 30, 2020
Big SS Scam ! Came in as “potential scam”. Left a recording.
Alice Evangelista
July 01, 2020
Got a message from I believe a scammer using my friend’s Facebook profile. This person was telling me she got a check for $450,000 and saw my name on a lust so I needed to contact Welda Sue Rae @ 1-(831) 240-4664 so she can deliver a check to me. Man I hate scammers!
Shanewald79
July 03, 2020
Just received a call from Edward smith badge number 2017, 7064766118 and was not happy when I actually played along with his scam using false information.
ohhappydays
July 06, 2020
I've gotten calls from 281-846-1578 (Houston, TX) with a robo voice msg saying that my SS# has suspicious activity and they are going to freeze my social. They were calling every 10-15 mins. I blocked the number. Shortly after, I started getting the exact same call/msg from 810-957-6081 (Linden, MI). So they clearly just go from number to number trying to make a contact.
Anon25478
July 07, 2020
‭+1 (956) 509-1697‬ This phone number called me saying my social security was in danger that someone was after it.
Caller was aut…
July 08, 2020
Just got a call saying there is illegal activity on my SS#. I should call them (ha) 940-226-3152. fyi
betsy
July 08, 2020
The same recorded message from 469-423-6354, 475-207-2862, and 469-423-6354 came into two of our family's phones at the same time. It was a male voice with an accent who said he was an officer and that he is calling because they are going to suspend our social security numbers due to fraud and that we need to return the call at the same number to discuss the issue. It's the 2nd time this has happened and it is a known scam.
State governme…
July 08, 2020
I received call saying fraudulent activity has been on my SS# and to call the number 1-833-719-0505 back or an arrest warrant will be issued on my behalf.
Nana4
November 05, 2020

In reply to by State governme…

I received the same call. It was a computer calling.
not a dummy
July 09, 2020
1-833-345-0221 @ 8:58 & 10:48. I returned the call from another phone. Very heavy foreign accent, male. I asked why he called my number. His response was "why, why, why, I don't know who is why". I hung up the phone. Is there nothing that the FCC & FTC can do to keep these scammers from calling?
mb
July 09, 2020
got a phone call from 561-797-7891 claiming they are from SSN and there is a fraudulent activity with my social, after i asked to prove that they are indeed SS administration they dropped the call on me.
Jackie
July 10, 2020
I received two phone calls from Officer Kelly Jones saying that my SSN was used for fraudulent purposes. I was to call the office number. The number was different on the two calls. 979-256-4861 and 830-355-2257. I have saved the one call. I don't know if I should report this or not.