Skip to main content

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

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.

FS
April 12, 2019
I just received a similar call from 1-800-772-1031. They are persistent and left several voicemails.
Don't use ysue…
April 12, 2019
I've been called from Mexico Arizona an Washington. How do you make it stop?
Veteran
April 12, 2019
Just got this call. It was automated, pressed 1 to speak with someone. He knew my full name and address already, wanted me to confirm my last 4 to verify it was me. Hung up. I'll be watching my bank account activity closely today.
nisqually
April 12, 2019
Voicemail from (877) 331-4699 "About this case just press one thank you. This call is from the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this 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."
Mccoykb
April 12, 2019
14254998374 just called stating my Ssn was being suspended.
Frank
April 12, 2019
I've received Robocalls 4 times today. Stating about the same as others reporting. Suspended SSB because there's been suspicious activity. Earlier call was a womans voice telling me that my Social Security will be cancelled, than said push 1 to be connected with "Legal Dept." to speak with a Social security officer. The last # was from 425-499-8374.
Texaschic86
April 15, 2019
Just got a call from 469-732-0672... claiming my SS# has been suspended and I need to “reactive” it by entering my #.... yah ok! Haha
CHRIS
April 15, 2019
I received a call from this number 1-888-810-0412 and 1-888-810-0436 claiming to be an Agent from SSN Admin. They claim that they suspended my SSN and asking for my personal info like name, DOB and SSN. The strong accent doesn't sound like an Agent with American last name Agent Robert Smith. At the end told him the he's a fraud and if my SSN is suspended why did I pay my taxes today. Be careful out there and don't be fooled by scam. Just ask the right questions like call back number and email so you can do your research. DON'T GIVE UP YOUR PERSONAL INFO OVER THE PHONE LIKE YOUR SSN,MEDICAL ,AND FULL NAME.
Susie
April 15, 2019
Same message from the same numbers...Your SS has been suspended due to fraudulent activity. Please press 1 to learn more about this case against you. I thought it was a scam because I know SS only contacts an individual by US Mail
cjorg
April 15, 2019
My husband and I have both received the "suspended" SSN robo call on our cell phones and hung up. I got two calls today , 4/15, on my work phone. I hung up, but how did they get the work number?
Usa0774
May 03, 2019
I did too recive sacm call and they said they suspended but its weird that they told me its invalid number
gogetalifescammer
April 15, 2019
just received a call from 844-222-6269, ss# suspended for fraudulent activity and will be arrested if i do not call back to take care of the problem from a voice recording.... if it was so serious you would think they would call in person...
CBF1987
April 15, 2019
Got a call saying my social security number was suspended do to not normal activity
Kay
April 15, 2019
Just received a call saying my social security number was being suspended for fraudulent activity. 1-855-3523. So I pressed 1 and the guy with a heavy accent said his name was investigator Calvin and asked me how he could help me , I was like excuse me you called me then he asked if I received a phone call when I started to give him a ear full he hung up quick. I hate scammers!
Marc062783
May 03, 2019
I recieved 3 calls since friday.. all left a message .. all were robot messages stating they were the ssa office and my ssa # was suspended due to being involved in fraudulent activities and I needed to contact them.. left no call back #.. have not recieved a call today guess they finally got the hint. # was18669319931 and 18003799541...
Puchis
April 16, 2019
I just got a phone call from (281) 738 9077, i heard this robot voice saying that my SSN was suspended because some suspicious activity, and if I wanted to fix it I had to press the number 1...I never answer phone calls from any number, if it's important they will leave a voice message
Tim
April 16, 2019
Multiple calls from +1 (888) 810-0517 All the same SSN suspension story like all above.
E
April 16, 2019
Yep three so far this morning. Lol, I happened to be in the middle of reading an article about scams and how to spot & avoid them when the first call came.
IMSeeker41
April 16, 2019
Just got a voicemail/robocall from 281-732-1782. The message left was :: This case, just press one, thank you. This call is from the department of social security administration. The reason you have received this 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.,
Martie
April 17, 2019
I just received a call from 844-768-9910 telling me to call them back as my social has been compromised. I called them back to have them remove my name from their system and was told that my SS# had been used to rent a Toyota vehicle which was seized in a drug bust with 25 pounds of cocaine. The police were on their way to arrest me. I told him this was BS that they wouldn't call me to tell me that I was going to be arrested, etc. He told me he would see me in jail. They never did tell me what they wanted from me to "clear up the case". Big time scam.........
Genie
April 17, 2019
I have one today from 800-002-1213. Say that they gone to stop my benefits because my ssn being compromise
Abc
April 17, 2019
I got this kind of calls twice from these numbers: 888-810-7015, 888-81-7019 saying the same thing “your social security number has been suspended due to some suspicious activities “
abc*
April 17, 2019
Just got 4 calls within this morning from 888-810-0715, 888-810-0719, 888-810-0723, 888-810-0727 saying same about social security number suspended. It’s very annoying.
Jnichole
April 17, 2019
I received a call like this today from ‭+1 (800) 125-0185‬
babs
April 17, 2019
Just received message about SSN “suspended”; asked me to call 706-266-4361. I tried to fill out FTC complaint form, but fields are not appropriate to this situation, so it won’t permit me to fill out the form. (I.e., no dollars were spent, no payment made, etc) So please respond if These comments are being reviewed by someone who can investigate....or report.
Angeleyes
April 17, 2019
I just got a call from 2817394991 which is a Texas number saying they are the social security office and that my number was suspended as anyone else got a call from them
Vicki
April 18, 2019
We receive many calls like this, from different phone numbers. Continually block them, but becomes moot when they just use another. Why can't our FCC do something about this. Maybe if the personnel at FCC received calls like this they would make our telephone providers stop the hacking or establishment of scam numbers.
mara ny
April 18, 2019
I received a robo call that my ss # was suspended due to fraudulent activity. The number was from Collegeville PA 1-484-971-4866. What a stupid scam!!
Pebbles
April 18, 2019
Had 2 calls today from the same number 202-858-6403 - my carrier brought it up as "scam likely". They stated that my social security number is now suspended. Yeah right buddy, blocked and reported.
hiohana
April 18, 2019
Just received a phone call from 1-443-712-8215 but I usually do not answer any phone number I do not recognize. He left a voice message about my SSN has been superseded... it's really annoyed to receive phone call or voice message like this.
Joyce
April 18, 2019
Automated voice message from 888-810-0894
dug
April 18, 2019
they called me 6 using 888-810-0119.
FFJmak
April 19, 2019
I've received 4 of these types of messages yesterday- 2 numbers show Washington, DC and 1 shows Bronxville, NY-- they all say the same thing that everyone has posted. Here are the numbers: 1-202-614-5871 1-202-450-3005 1-914-360-1457 Such scammers!
Willie
April 19, 2019
New number making this type a call came in as 1-281-732-5402. Saying SS call and SS # suspended. Want me to press the number 1. I hung up.
mcw2012
April 20, 2019
I just received a call from that caller saying that my ssn card was suspended I don't believe that scam
EricW1973
April 20, 2019
Have been on the phone with a phone # in Nogales, Arizona (520) 394-4744, they told me that my SS# has been compromised for drug trafficking & money laundering & if I don't get a security voucher for the money in my checking account they are going to freeze my accounts & suspend my SS#? He told me that an officer will come to my door with a new SS#. Is this a scam, or is any of it true?
Ljkmtj
April 20, 2019
Got the same call from 1-800-772-8080. They are getting better with the voice. Haha
Iris (Pennsylvania)
April 22, 2019
I just got a call from someone sounded from India, he said my Social Security number was suspended. I laughed because I have credit monitoring with my Credit Card company, this guy was a fool. I told him if you are from the SS administration you should know all my information so you tell me, and I will verify so he hung up. 800-772-1041 was the number, I hope and pray no one falls for this scam.
Shawn
April 22, 2019
I have been getting calls stating that my SSN has been used in fraudulent activities and I need to call right away and that was on my cell phone. Then last week I received a call on my home number stating my SSN was suspended. They are calling from 214-307-2364 . Then I received a call from 917-504-8662, stating I was going to be arrested for tax and realestate fraud.
Phebee
April 23, 2019
I got two voice mail saying my social security number has been has been block and I will have to appear in court in front of a judge and jury for criminal charges unless I call the same phone number.
Kkbay
April 23, 2019
Just got 2 calls from 8660101213 saying my sec has been frozen!
Lori
April 23, 2019
I received a voice today on my cell phone from 800-772-1516 with an official automated voice leaving a message stating: "this call is from the legal department of Social Security Administration and my social security number has been suspended because we found some suspicious activity 'running' under your social security number." It said to "Press 1 to find out more" but it was on a voice mail.
Daniel
April 23, 2019
I received two in the last two days- 866-021-1213 and 800-096-1213. Both robocalls.
Tiekytorch
April 23, 2019
Yep I got two calls today one from Maryland and I called it back. Got someone with an accent. He asked me if I needed help and to verify my identity. I said. Um no, u called me and if I am correct, the government won't contact you by phone and he hung up. Lol! Gotcha! I got another one this afternoon as well from California and I didn't even answer. Blocked that one right away! No thanks!
Krista
April 23, 2019
I’ve gotten them in calls leaving voicemails and with the miss use of suspend instead of Suspended I knew fake calls and mine have been through a 202-043-8743 or 202-378-5614 or 202-178-2450 just annoying calls
Deisel
April 23, 2019
I received 4 calls with in a couple hours today about my social security card being suspended due to suspicious activity 1-888-810-0939,1-888-810-0932,this # twice 1-888-810-0907
Danny
April 23, 2019
I received 4 calls with in a couple hours today about my social security card being suspended due to suspicious activity 1-888-810-0939,1-888-810-0932,this # twice 1-888-810-0907
NG
April 24, 2019
I got a call like this from 866-045-1213 on 4/24/19.
athena09
April 24, 2019
+13206260840 received a call from this number claiming that my SSN is suspendend
jack
April 24, 2019
I received a call from a 320-626-0444 . The robocall states that my Social Security card will be deleted.
Return to top