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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
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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.

Lyn
August 07, 2019
Lyn ---- I just received a call from 888-537-2898 stating my SSN has been suspended --they left that message as I did not answer the call --I have blocked the number as well.
Almost Scammed
August 07, 2019
I just got a call on August 5, 2019 at 1300, from 830-738-4504. It was a recorded voice that said that my SSN had been Suspended due to some suspicious activity and to press 1. I pressed 1 and immediately hung up and turned off my phone for a few minutes. Hopefully nothing will come of it. Just sayin. I am 62 and live in Ohio.
mikey8s
August 07, 2019
SS# has been suspended due to suspicious activity. This call is from phone # 878-404-2931
Arrwen
August 07, 2019
I just got two calls in less than an hour on my cell phone from this number 830-748-9295. I didn't answer but let it go to voicemail as I was on another call..the robot message told me my social security number was suspended due to suspicious activity. I'm a veteran so I'm naturally suspicious of calls like this. I reported it to the FTC and I hope they catch this person or persons. I will be making sure to block this number from calling me.
thurmanmerman
August 07, 2019
just received a robo call (recording) from number 833.085.1896 telling me my SS is suspended.
Buttercup
August 08, 2019
I received 2 calls today 8/8/19 with an automotive message saying my SS number is suspended. I wonder if they realized they called a government office. 956-886-2142 and 956-384-0933. As my momma would say "they are all kinds of special". Be ware.
tralphs
August 08, 2019
I was contacted from an agency claiming to be social security administration. They claimed to have suspended my social security number. The contact agency used a 307 number and claimed to be the social security unit out of Wyoming. They also claimed to have found an abandoned car on the Wyoming and Colorado border. Police searched the car finding blood and narcotics being present. I have never dealt with drugs or anything that would relate to blood violence. I have never lived in Wyoming. If they leave a message, it states something in the effect of "A legal agency has ceased your social security number and any activity that relates to it". As I talked with them they claimed several accounts both foreign and domestic have been opened in my name with my information. I think fraud and terrorism starts with these people and continues as they claim to protect you.
YK
August 09, 2019
Received 3 calls from Texas numbers, claiming my SSN will be or has been suspended. Didn't pick up, automated voice message was left prompting me to press specific buttons. The numbers are: 1-956 781-6695 1-956-337-2708 1-956-471-9263
Don't use your…
August 09, 2019
I got one from 800-325-0778. Guy told me my SS# was going to be suspended due to fraudulant activity I asked him his name, he said "Bruce Daniel" which sounded awfully American for the boiler room foreign person I was speaking with. I then asked him three times for a contact numer while he kept trying to get information from me. Finally, in an exasperated tone he asked me why I needed that and I told him that since what he was doing was federal fraud, I wanted a number. For some odd reason, he hung up on me! Imagine that! LOL!
Hellothere!
August 09, 2019
I received several robot calls from 1-800-269-0271, 1-800-772-1213, and 1-800-074-1072 saying my social security number had been suspended due to fraudulent activity, and that I should "press 1" to be connected to a social security officer to "reinstate" my social security number. This is so annoying as they call several times a day for many days at a time.
RJonesn't use …
August 09, 2019
I have been getting these calls frequently from different states. Today the call was from Marathon, Florida
Lyndot
August 10, 2019
I received 2 calls. I wasn’t at home, and they left a message. they said my ssn was suspended. and in case they didn’t hear from me soon my ssn will be permanently blocked. I was in shocked. I google it if is lawful to suspend a social security number is when I found the scam. here is the number 1-888-826-7579
Prf
August 10, 2019
They used 1(866)606-8451 number on me
Maryland
August 12, 2019
I received a call from 800-771-0651 …
Siggy B.
August 12, 2019
These ‘Your social security number has been suspended’ calls don’t stop an I receive them every couple of days now. This is a very dangerous scam for older seniors and those with a lesser education, because both groups can be easily duped along with others who are easy prey. As far as I’m concerned no one from the SSA or Medicare should ever call someone. The IRS will never use the phone as a vehicle to call you, but only used postal mail. We should always be able to call these government agencies using the numbers provided on their various websites. They should only contact us by mail, unless you are called back directly by whom you originally spoke with at one of the agencies.
Jendeoog
August 12, 2019
I got the call but this one had a twist. After going through his spiel, he whispered that the call was fraud and to never give anyone my information over the phone. I never gave him any information but I am sure he could hear me typing on my computer. I also did not sound surprised or scared. I thanked him for his honesty and we hung up.
Concerned
August 13, 2019
I have received bot calls in the last two days stating that my SSN will be suspended due to fraudulent activity. I have blocked the numbers.... they are: > 1-800-622-4243 > 1-800-051-1624
qwltlovr
August 13, 2019
Just got a call from this number 885-060-0398. Suspicious activity & going to suspend my SSN. I have blocked the number. Where did get my number?
Another One
August 13, 2019
855-341-2065 —— In TN
PizzaLady
August 13, 2019
I keep receiving calls from 915613. It’s automated message saying that there are larceny charges against my ssn and that I should kindly call them back at that number. I keep blocking everyone that comes through. Thankfully they never reach me because I have an app that answers with a prerecorded bot.
drd@yahoo
August 13, 2019
Same message (677) 840-6861
mdsaz
August 13, 2019
I received a call from 424-696-8058. Same thing telling me my number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity. Scam
Echo
August 13, 2019
Today I received 7( so far, day isn’t over yet), 6 of them within a 2 1/2 hour period. Suspended SS# due to suspicious activities, Press onto find out more “. None of them were 800 numbers. Calls said From United States, California, Texas, and Illinois. Surely they were spoof numbers. But I ain’t callin’ back to find out.
sjr19
August 14, 2019
I just got the call too from 845-337-5882 -- they left a voice mail. It said my SSN was suspended due to suspicious activity. Said to press "1". I tried calling the number back and it goes straight to voice mail.
saneud
August 14, 2019
I received a call today with pretty much the same as everyone else. I let it go to vm. The number was 708-548-4722
MuljoStpho
August 14, 2019
I've seen some calls on my cell from numbers I didn't recognize before and I've always just not answered and that appears to be the end of it for that number. One of them actually left a voicemail today (8/14/19) though. Got the same message that others here have described. I think that whoever is doing it is spoofing their number (that's a thing, right?), because I googled the number that it said left this message and it's the number for some restaurant in Illinois. I don't know how much it'll help anything but the number that supposedly called was 708 548 8025.
Akitadog
August 15, 2019
Just got a call from 881-293-3897 claiming my SSN number was suspended. Interestingly I just gave my SSN to an agent with the US Marshals Service. Could these scammers have access to calls made to federal agencies as a way to target individuals? Seems strange to me and I hope these comments are read by someone who can do something about these scams.
Agnessss
August 15, 2019
I got 2 missed calls from 8001741583 and 8007023435 saying that my ssn has been suspended. But I never call them back. But i saved their voice mail.
Anonymous Scam…
August 15, 2019
Same scam call from number 1-800-692-5398
Alimar
August 15, 2019
Same message on my voicemail. The number was 8816860730.
Gemmy3
August 16, 2019
I received a voicemail from (868) 532-4795
No scamming me.
August 16, 2019
I received a call from 888-412-4332 with a message alerting me that my SSN has been suspended for suspicious activity. I was told to press 1. I hung up. Sounds like this scam in action.
Andrew
August 16, 2019
I got one today from 888-724-8751
suek
August 16, 2019
Call I got today was from 585 844-4173. I tried calling SS number but was put on hold forever.
Good Civillian
August 16, 2019
Absolutely disgusting, I got a voicemail from 1(888)867-4245 that my social security number has been suspended. It’s an obvious scam because you will never get a call so obvious asking for private information from any legitimate government. If you get a call from this number please block and report them.
Stinkerbut
August 16, 2019
Been getting calls everyday saying my SSN is suspended but today they added I had a warrant for my arrest added. I have to admit it was slightly upsetting. I’ve blocked the calls for weeks but they always find a new number to get through and/or call with out a number available, restricted. Today’s call was from (941) 591-2759
Shawna
August 16, 2019
Did Anyone Get a Number From 7140039235 ??
DCVet
August 17, 2019
On Aug 14 while working I received a phone call that went to voice mail the caller said department of social security administration has suspended my SSN because of suspicious activity and I should call this number and press one. I heard about this scam on the news and realized that this was a scam and blocked the number 855-667-4720. Then Aug 16 I received another call again went to voice mail it said press one for info about your case this number was 855-424-6100. I have both messages transcribed
Steve
August 18, 2019
If you get such a call, notate the phone number from which the call came and any other identifying information that was provided by the caller. Put all the info you gathered down on paper. Then—- call the Social Security Office of Inspector General (OIG). They’re the federal agents/ cops that work those cases. They can be googled or call 800-269-0271... that’s an east coast number. They close that complaint line at 1PM our time
Macy
August 18, 2019
I recieved one the other day saying mine was suspended from this number so what should I do. 888-473-2946
Never again
August 19, 2019
867-5309
EJHTexas
August 19, 2019
This one in Texas 1-800-556-3560 probably faked.
murr
August 19, 2019
I have received numerous calls from a variety of phone numbers saying my ss number has been suspended. Finally, I answered one of the calls and some dude with a foreign accent said there is a warrant out for me and my ss number is suspended. The first thing he asked me was my name. I gave him a fake name to see what he would say and he replied by saying this isn't (my real name). How the heck did he know my real name? That is when I told him I needed to verify who he was and he hung up on me.
EricL
August 19, 2019
They called me twice today and left identical voicemail that my social security number had been suspended. I would love to hear what FTC is doing about this! If they take no investigative or enforcement actions with this scam then what is the point of of funding this agency at current levels
terry
August 20, 2019
I just received a call described above. While I assumed it was a hoax, I was grateful to see SSA had included this info for confirmation. Thanks!
PennyPup
August 20, 2019
Just got another one,at least once a week,this one also said my driver's license and my SS# are being blocked. Was a robo call,I don't have caller id,so I don't know where it came from,it started to leave a # to call back,but I hung up.
sun2019
August 20, 2019
I have received 2 phone calls about my SS# being suspended. Here are the numbers. 866-927-0627 844-331-9513
da nuss
August 20, 2019
Mine was actually a toll free number: 877-405-7823. They did leave a message about my social being suspended.
ConcernedCitizen
August 20, 2019
I got a call on 21 Aug 2019 saying my SSN has been suspended and that I need to press 1 and speak to a representative if I do not want all of my accounts to be locked since my SSN is suspended. Call came from +18004369973
AA
August 20, 2019
Got a voicemail regarding "suspicious activity and suspended social security number from Department of Social Security Administration" from this number 718-866-6774
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