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A caller says that he’s from the government and your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended. He sounds very professional. So you should do exactly what he says to fix things…right?

Wrong.

The FTC has gotten reports about scammers trying to trick people out of their personal information by telling them that they need to “reactivate” their supposedly “suspended” SSNs. The scammers say the SSN was suspended because of some connection to fraud or other criminal activity. They say to call a number to clear it up – where they’ll ask you for personal information.

Thing is, Social Security numbers do not get suspended. This is just a variation of a government imposter scam that’s after your SSN, bank account number, or other personal information. In this variation of the scheme, the caller pretends to be protecting you from a scam while he’s trying to lure you into one.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself:

  • Never give out or confirm personal information over the phone, via email or on a website until you’ve checked out whoever is asking you for it.
  • Do not trust a name, phone number, or email address just because it seems to be connected with the government. Con artists use official-sounding names and may fake caller ID or email address information to make you trust them. Besides, the government normally contacts people by postal mail.
  • Contact government agencies directly, using telephone numbers and website addresses you know to be legitimate.

If someone has tried to steal your personal information by pretending to be from the government, report it to the FTC.

 

Search Terms
scam
Topics
Credit, Loans, and Debt
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.

Dum
April 02, 2019
I just got a call this morning from New York,NY (646)395-9741 ....“_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you this call is from the Department of social security administration the reason you have received his phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you…”
krami
April 02, 2019
April 2nd 2019 received a call stating "SSN is being suspended due to fraudulent activity" obvious scammer, called from (424) 398-3432. BOLO don't ever give personal info to anyone who calls you!
old lady 13!
April 02, 2019
Just got the call it be(281) 356-9805 from magnolia Texas
wishwecouldarr…
April 02, 2019
At first, I wondered if it was true when the heavily accented, long distance sounding man said 'your SS# is being compromised, tell me your last four digits'. He said his name was Officer Mark Thompson and was in Mass. or something. I argued with him, telling him I won't give out any of my info and if he were truly with SS, he'd know it already anyway. He got frustrated, repeated, raised his voice & I hung up. However, I've gotten a few more calls! He said to call him back at 425-222-1087 and I haven't. Another was 985-202-6346. Why can't these people be caught?
Eddie
April 02, 2019
I just got this one today anyone get the same??I never received a call like this and it was a automated message I was so paranoid 1877 184 1213
Tennis0234
April 03, 2019
I got a call using a monotone voice from a 410 934 6411 saying I would get arrsested and my ssn would be frozen along with my bank account
Sonya Morton
April 03, 2019
I just received a call from 817-382-4489. I never answer #'s I don't recognize, so this one left a message. The voice on the message sounded like a female robot, I heard the word 'fraudulent', so I called back to see who exactly called me. The guy who answered had such a strong Indian accent that I could barely understand him. He said he wad calling from SS. If I would give him my birthdate, he:d look up my account!! Told him I wasn't giving him any information, and hung up.
Some Guy
April 04, 2019
Had the same call from 1-620-842-9483. Said I'm going to be arrested lol.
Some Guy
April 04, 2019
Had the same call from 1-620-842-9483. Said I'm going to be arrested lol.
RLM
April 04, 2019
I have received several calls the past week telling me my SS# was going to be suspended because of fraudulent activity and if I didn’t call I’d have to appear before a federal magistrate!
SoAnnoyed
April 04, 2019
For the last three days I have had the same robo-calls everyone is describing. SSN suspended due to fraudulent activity please press #1. Most have been from the (646) area code —646-519-3489, 646-189-9192, 646-442-4896, 646-660-0353. As soon as I block one, another number calls. I am grateful for the previous posts because I was getting quite unnerved.
Attempted to s…
April 04, 2019
Got a call from 512-370-9415 saying the same thing everyone is saying.
JPots45
April 04, 2019
Three robo voicemails from 234-098-xxxx (three different numbers) today letting me know my SSN was suspended and to contact them about the case.
Scam123
April 05, 2019
Had 3 calls yesterday and 1 first thing this a.m. They say social security number has been suspended and to press 1 for case details! I let our recorder pick up and have since blocked the number. The number is 877-480-4989...funny thing is when you do a reverse number lookup, it says US GOVERNMENT!! Something needs to be done about these low-life's! I also filed a complaint with the FTC...if that does any good!!
Heather
April 05, 2019
I just received this call as well. The first thing I do is a quick Google after listening to the recorded information. I even pushed "1" to speak to an operator and the call was disconnected. The number that attempted to reach me was 1-800-772-1881. The recorded information stated that my social security was suspended as well. It's amazing what these scam artists will do these days.
C.KELLEY
April 05, 2019
I just received a call from Texas asking me for my date of birth and social. He got upset when I told him to send me a certified letter in the mail stating the issue with my social. I am thankful I did not give out my info over the phone when he ask. Number was 1-281-968-5126
Jose
April 05, 2019
I got the same calls today, but from a different phone number. The # starts with 682-864- **** the last four numbers change every time they call.
You have got t…
April 05, 2019
Yep. Me too. GRRRRR
mike
April 06, 2019
just got a call from 510 984 4532 oddly they didn't talk and hung up
CC
April 06, 2019
I got a phone call like that just today. It was a voicemail from a 510 area code saying my SS# has been suspended because of suspicious activity. They really try everything, don't they? Don't fall for it people!
Ybba84
April 08, 2019
Got the call today... Robo call sounded funny made my daughter laugh lol... 4256609550
ohm
April 08, 2019
Got my call again and the number was 402-253 0507. What a joke because I don't even get a social security check.
JM
April 08, 2019
Got the same call from 832-4797396. indicating my ssn has been suspended and asking me to call back.
Thingamajig
April 08, 2019
I had a call from - 8666276996 - is it open season on scammers, they are dirt!
thsquare
April 08, 2019
Got the call from 800-942-8394 just now, stating that my SSN has been suspended dues to some fraudulent activity. I selected "1" and was connected to a real person. When I asked about the situation, he hung up.
NYC_milo
April 09, 2019
‭+1 (469) 844-3302‬ Got the same call. Not just once but twice. I told him you called me so you should know my info. He got very rude and said well You’ll be in a lot of trouble and the police can come and pick you up I told him bring it on and hung up
Same here!
April 09, 2019
I just got a call saying my ssn was suspended by some woman robot then she spouted off some numbers which I didnt write down but figured it was fake because I doubt your ssn can be suspended. Phone number that called was 1-650-457-0247
Tenmiles
April 09, 2019
Just got one from (419) 827-6257. Curious, I pressed "1" after the recorded message, to hear what would happen next. A heavily-accented woman answered, and proceeded to ask for my name. I pointed out that they know my name, since they called ME to inform me the news about my social security number. She hung up then.
April9fun
April 09, 2019
I got one today and it seems that they faked a Social Security Number 800-772-2525 stating they are the Legal Department and that my SSN had been suspended due to it being linked to some suspicious activity but they did not mention who they are calling for or name. I did not answer and they left a voice mail. Sounded like a woman but automated too I think and it asked to press 1 at the end of the message to know more about the case but of course I did not answer the call in the first place. Crazy Stuff!
bill
April 09, 2019
Got a voicemail today from 800 965 2352 reporting similar issues and sounding robotic like the recording on this page. Furthermore, at the end of the voicemail (immediately before hanging up) he said "press onethank you" and there was no pause at all between the words "one" and "thank you". Thought I would comment this because I did a CTRL-F and couldn't find this number on the page, so I wanted to share a new number they use.
MrDG
April 09, 2019
I got five calls all in the passed week. 888-810-0040, 888-810-0043, 888-810-0005 and 440-207-0559, all left VM's with the same robot recording saying the exact same thing.
M23
April 09, 2019
I just received a phone call telling me that someone used my social security down in Texas (I live in Ny) and they were drug trafficking and opened up a whole bunch of credit cards under my social security. Did anyone get a call from this number ? (315)666-9409 It first calls u with a robotic voice recorded already telling u to call that number back because your social security has been used elsewhere.
Bob
April 09, 2019
Last week I received three calls in a row from a 1800 with an automated message from a creepy lady saying that my SSN has been cancelled. I now have received the same voice on another automated message twice today at (202) 747 2151 saying that my SSN has been suspended for fraudulent activity. Both numbers are block. Watch out everybody.
Scam123
April 09, 2019
Here we go again!! Now a new number is calling with the same scam that my social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity!!! This number is (520)689-4514!! Will be reporting this one as well!! LOW-LIFES!!!!
Grace99
April 09, 2019
I received a robot call today saying my SSN was suspended due to fraudulent activity in Texas.... From this # 732 456 8088. I feel so bad about the people who will call believing this. Good luck everyone!
Jayne insane
April 09, 2019
Got a call saying my social security number had been suspended from (888)810-0015 (888)810-0042 (888)810-0046 (888)810-0263 (888)810-0048 (888)810-0051 (888)810-0255 (888)810-0229 (888)810-0226 . Every time I block a number they keep calling from a different number.
Nzuimato of Batoum
April 10, 2019
I got the robo call today that they suspended my SSN. due to a criminal activities, they ask me to call this #6056552731. avoid to gives them your personal informal there are scams they only try to steal information from you. be careful
Cantscamme
April 10, 2019
Received a call today about suspended SS#. 2814105598
Midmomo
April 10, 2019
Got a call from 562 275 3291. Called twice since I ignored the first one. Answered to a robot that insisted I call or face legal action.
Upstate Kelly
April 10, 2019
Did not recognize the # that just came up today, robo call about my SSN # being suspended for possible fraud activity and to press 1 to speak with someone. The # is 707 502 2962,Non VoIP phone from Eureka, CA.
DEE
April 10, 2019
I just got a robo VM using a voice bot from the "Department of Social Security Administration" it says my SSN is suspended for suspicious activity "so if you want to know about this case press 1" a government agency wouldn't send a message worded that way but a scammer totally would . Also it's from from 707-502-2962 which is a VOIP line so they are probably calling from another country. Total scam and poorly executed at that.
noname
April 10, 2019
received two calls re SSN suspension from 16463875321 and 13325739032.
klhjeh
April 10, 2019
I received 4 calls today telling me my social security number has been suspended. The last time my husband pressed 1 and a man answered. My husband told him off and he hung up immediately. I only hope they do not call an older person who panics and gives them the information.
Marie
April 11, 2019
I just got 2 calls from (888) 810-0041 , (888) 810-0039. Stating the exact same thing " your SSN has been suspended" So I called them back and the number were non working, one of them said " due to high call volumes we are not available to answer the phone " Total SCAM.
Billy
April 11, 2019
Just called from 469-735-0610
Storm
April 11, 2019
I got this robot call today, after my PayPal account was hacked and when calling PayPal the first number that came up for them was a scam, I stupidly didn’t know until they told me my 350.00 deposit had already been claimed by someone and they were having a hard time blocking this hacker so I would need to go purchase a 50.00 dollar google pay card and call them back with the passcode in order to block this “hacker”. He was trying to rush me to the store to get one but I was actually on a table at the doctor ready to have an epidural injection. He then sent me his name( ha ha) and direct line to call back on through my text messaging. He called himself John Taylor or something similar but had a heavy Indian accent. Now I am getting this call about my SS number being suspended! Uugh! This number was 4697345617 and was from somewhere in Texas.
Sorry scammers
April 12, 2019
This is another # ‭(510) 984-4532‬ they call from. Nice try but now ur block.
JM
April 12, 2019
I got a call today from 914-652-1489 - A voicemail was left. It was a computer generated voice. Said my SSN has been suspended due to "suspicious activity" and said to press #1 to continue and get more information. I hung up.
Another number
April 12, 2019
(888)810-0133 Received a voice message from a robotic recording saying: "[We have] Suspended your social security number because we found some suspicious activity ..."
Jean
April 12, 2019
I just got a voicemail claiming my ss# has been suspended. Call was from 920-541-7528. Tried call ss fraud line. No luck. Beware!!
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