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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.

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identity theft
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Topics
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Scams
Phishing Scams
Government Impersonators
Social Security Impersonators

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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.

  • 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.

NSA
October 09, 2018
Received a call from (361) 423-0490 with the following voicemail message (automated voice) : "Hi this is Donald calling, from the Fraud Investigation Unit of Social Security Administration. This is a notice. Your social security number has been suspended. Please contact the fraud hotline number; that is 361-423-0490; I repeat it is 361-423-0490 urgently. Thank you."
NotToday
October 09, 2018
Just got a call from (470) 202-0332. It was an automated message stating they were from the SSN administration as well and that my SSN had been used in some suspicious activities and so it was going to be shut down and that I should call them back. So I called them back and they sounded mid-Eastern each of the 6 times I called. They asked for the reason I was calling and I told them about my "suspension" and they asked for my name. I asked how they could verify for me they were with the SSN Administration and they hung up. Darn! I don't want my number suspended. :o)~~ I'm so sick of this kind of crap. I wish people could just be honest and decent.
Maryinapinch
October 10, 2018
I called this number to report a scam phone call and never could get a live voice. It was 55min wait. Really, should there be a separate number to report these scams?
William Shakespeare
October 10, 2018
I was called by 1-800-772-1213 and they said my SS number was compromised and if I didn't call them back and press one all of my social benefits would be cancelled l, I suspect it is a phising scam.
R. WHITE
October 10, 2018
Social Security Scam Alert: WORSE than the IRS calls. 512-380-1099 phone number and a person answered and swore profanity at me!
Denise Henson
November 27, 2018
Scam Likely number is 1206.3171658 ask for my social security number..I don't know my
BOY67
October 10, 2018
EASY FIX, DON'T ANSWER A NUMBER YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE
Mark S
October 11, 2018
Today, I received 4 robocalls that claim to be from the Social Security Administration and that my social security number has been used in some fraudulent or suspicious manner. The robocaller tells me to call 301-636-7765 before they initiate legal action. Too bad no one in government actually investigates or prosecutes these organized criminals/scammers. These scammers know that the probability of being investigated or prosecuted is zero, so they continue to victimize millions of Americans.
whattodo
October 11, 2018
These scammers continue on to flourish and terrorize people because of 1 weakness in the system. That is simply being able to "spoof" numbers. If they weren't able to spoof , their ability to convince would fail. Both my wife and I were a victim, I didn't fall for it, but my wife thought the call was real. So the responsibility is with your carrier, AT&T, T-Mobile etc... Call and report the spoofed calls and ask to have it traced. Because these calls did not originate from an actual valid phone, the carriers must have the technology to prevent it, which they're not implementing. Every device and phone# is identifiable to the system in the US; if a call comes in and it's spoofing via a network/internet, that is easily identifiable and should not be allowed to pass through. I urge you to call and complain so that this spoofing is prevented and secured down.
T.A.
October 11, 2018
RECEIVED A CALL ROM 240.900.6983 TODAY. The recording said to call this # back ASAP and that my social security # had been flagged as associated with suspicious activity and was due to be suspended and that if I did not call to verify my information, they would issue an arrest warrant for me. I called the number right back and they answered immediately as Social Security Admin and I hung up. I am on hold with the 'real' SSA and it literally takes over an hour to get to them!
msbagci65
November 27, 2018
I have enought call from those people, they always call me from social security, what am going to do? is there someone help me.. I have no idea what am I going to do?
FTC Staff
November 27, 2018

In reply to by msbagci65

This article has tips about how to block unwanted calls: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0548-blocking-unwanted-calls

Tired of Tech
October 12, 2018
We had a call left on our recorder telling us it was from SS and they said it appeared someone was trying to use my SSN? They left the number 800-286-3463. I have not called it back and to call SS and be put on a 55 minute wait list is not my cup of tea. The biggest mistake with SS was to put the government in charge of it.
Laura in CA
October 15, 2018
I just received a call/voicemail from 970-680-4203 (Colorado) that my ss# has been compromised and I need to contact them immediately or it would be suspended. I called the number from a different phone. Picked up immediately. Said he was in Colorado. Also, asked if I'd been to Texas.
Don’t B fooled
October 15, 2018
I had two back to back vm’s from an automated message saying, "Hi This is Michael calling from the head office of Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number has been compromised and it is getting suspended today. Please call your allotted paralegal officer at 929-398-5856. I repeat 929-398-5856. Thank you."
Central Fla
September 17, 2019

In reply to by Don’t B fooled

Got 2 voice mails today saying "against your social security number by the federal crime and investigation department. Again, we need to talk to you as soon as possible. Again, this call is from the social security administration. The number to reach the department is 209-554-9204, again this number is 209-554-9204, thank you"
lolo
October 15, 2018
Hi guys I just received call and by accident I give my last four digits just the last digits is that going be problem please answer me immediately
Jessica S.
October 15, 2018
I received voicemail that was very broken up but it was left by a robot and said, something like this, “...Social Security Number for Fraudulent Activity. When you get this message, call us ... as soon as possible before we begin the legal proceeding... at 724-594-2421” it was all fuzzy sounding until the number was said.
Hobbit
October 16, 2018
Yesterday I got 2 calls from different numbers stating that my SS# had been hijacked and they needed me to call and deal with it before they shut it down and all financial assets along with it....I am not stupid and just ignored it...but warning there is a new scam going around
Barbara
October 18, 2018
These scammers are scary! Today I got a call with a Texas area code telling me that they are from the SSA and that someone is using my SSA number for money laundering and drug running. They have my name and SSN. What can they do with it? It’s concerning.
blue
July 02, 2019

In reply to by Barbara

This is the Same exact message I got!! I’m too smart so they hung up on me, definitely had my radar up.
Bob
October 19, 2018
My mother took a call from someone who claimed to be from SSI calling to confirm her mailing address in regard to the scheduled increase to her benefits. Then started asking when she saw her doctor last, height / weight and shoe size?!. Instead of seeing a RED flag then and there she kept verbally agreeing to god know's what before I could get the phone away from her!
Tammy D
October 19, 2018
Just recieved a recorded message from 210-591-8818 saying there was illegal activity going on with my social security and that I had to call immediately or charges would be pressed against me. I returned the call and a person answered social security with a heavy accent. I told them I was reporting the number because social security will not call and they hung up immediately. I called them back to repeat that I was turning the number in and they answered hello.
scammed
October 21, 2018
Got a call saying there was suspicious activity under my SSN and I should immediately call back (240) 901-0161 or they would "get me arrested".
justanothercitzn
October 22, 2018
Got a call from 239-203-2439, stating that my SS was involved with illegal activity and that it would be suspended unless I spoke with an agent...
Siriusmom
October 22, 2018
the new number I am getting calls from is 206-929-5771. Stating that I need to call them back about mySSN being compromised.
ineedapc2
October 22, 2018
Would be nice if we could report fraud / phishing / scam calls via an on line portal...
FTC Staff
November 29, 2018

In reply to by ineedapc2

You can report a scam to the FTC at www.FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give goes into a secure online database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.

Superninja
October 23, 2018
I got a call this morning. It is saying it's from ssa . The number is from Texas.I think it's a scam. I am not sure. Can anyone help me. I almost got scammed last time with IRS scam.
Superninja
October 23, 2018
I received the call from (210)591-7610.
nkshah2901
October 23, 2018
I got the call today from 310-453-1901, guy mention to me that I have to provide him my SSN and if I Don't then they will send cops to my house and I will go in Jail, they will freeze my all accounts. please
monster
October 23, 2018
I have received 7 messages since 1:15 p.m. cst from the same phone number. 254-577-4651. The message says that they are with the office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. The automated voice say that my social security number has been suspended and to call the above number. I have not answered any of these calls. I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Not Sure
October 24, 2018
Just got a scam call to call back the SSA at 425-880-5245.
Rho
October 24, 2018
Just received a call from a robocaller that my social security number was used in fraud . It said to call them back. Sounds like a scam to me. The number is 323-601-5856.
Maria A.
October 24, 2018

In reply to by Rho

I got a call from the same number! But I called back! Total scam!
jmobhow100
October 24, 2018
Please investigate to shut down scammers at phone number: 240-901-0544. I suspect this to be a fraud. People are answering the phone and identifying the office to be SSA
Hm?
October 24, 2018
I have a call from saying I did illegal and my identity is stolen and they given me my case ID and arrest warrant. How can I find help? And I have been having numbers calling me and all through topsweeps and saying claim my money or prizes which is all fraud I believe. Anyone has run into this and how to resolve?
the call back
October 24, 2018
I got a call from +1 (210) 963-9995. I've called them back and harassed them so much they stopped picking up. WIN!!
Maria A.
October 24, 2018
Just got a call this morning from Agent Victor Frank, with the Social Security Administration (Agnt. No. 74260931) calling from (323) 601-5856 claiming that my social security number is being used by someone who was involved with drug trafficking and fraud. He asked me to verify my social security number, which I did NOT, because I asked him why I wasn't notified by mail? He said it was urgent and was able to even call me from the social security administrations phone number, which I still did not trust because now a days you can digitally call from anywhere in the world. I told him if this is a real issue then I would walk into the local office, he hung up! This make me so angry because if this had been my mom getting this call, she would have been frantic! How do these people sleep at night knowing they are defrauding so many innocent people?
Val
October 03, 2019

In reply to by Maria A.

I recieved the same message on my answering machine but the number it tells me to call back is 844-764-4402.
scammer
October 24, 2018
Called from 760 260-8103 stating fradulent activity of ss# in a message
John
October 25, 2018
I got a call this morning from telephone number 833 223 2327. I called them back and a guy with a very heavy Indian accent told me that they were going to suspend my social security card because of illegal activity. I could tell it was a scam right away. I asked the guy where he was calling from and he said Washington, DC. I told him it sounded like he was calling from India. He said, no, I'm calling from Mexico, and then proceeded to swear at me. I hung up. Don't be fooled by anybody calling from this number. It is a scam.
Robert H.
October 26, 2018
I get calls stating that numerous illegal uses of my SS Number have warranted them contacting me; a warrant for my Arrest will be issued if I do Not respond to this supposed Sgt calling for the SSA. Will post the number for all to see if I get it again soon.
Sandy
October 26, 2018
Received two call today (0ct 26th) at 8:49am and 2:43pm. I do not pick up unrecognizable numbers so it went to voicemail. Both voicemails where the same. It was an automated message stating the following. "Hi this is Agent Janice Lawson, calling you from the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department to informed you that there is legal enforcement action filed on your SSN for criminal activities. So when you get this message. Kindly call us back at the earliest on our number 214 216 2032, before we begin with legal proceedings. Thank you and have a nice day."
M.I.
October 29, 2018

In reply to by Sandy

Got the same Automated Robo call several times today. The same script as others have reported, but from "Dennis Grey" and the callback number was 718-618-9641. New York Area code. They are starting to annoy me- that makes 6 calls to my cell in the past week. I have already filed a report.
ausbrimom
December 04, 2018

In reply to by Sandy

This is the message that I got 3 times yesterday from one number and once today from another: Kelly Jones' following you from the Department of Social Security Administration the reason you have received a phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions have been filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly Paulus back on our hotline number 583687482 I repeat that is 583-687-4822 disregard this notice and return the call if or leave begin with the legal proceedings against you thank you.
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