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.

PDM
August 21, 2019
I used to wonder how people could get sucked into a scam so easily, especially advanced fee (a.k.a. 419/"Nigerian Prince") scams. It just seems like something that common sense should be sufficient to avoid. However, more recently, I almost fell for one of these government agency impersonations. They didn't tell me my SSN was "suspended" but they left me a voicemail trying to convince me I had been connected to some sort of nonsense illegal activity. Fortunately, I checked with my dad before I did anything and he pointed out that the government will almost always send a letter to initiate correspondence over anything important like this would be. What a subtle 'tell'! I would've never thought of that! Thanks for everything you do FTC; while I'm as skeptical as the next citizen about most government functions, trade regulation was, so far as I'm aware, always one of the core principles of the union's purpose, and you serve it well!
ConcernedCitizen
January 29, 2020

In reply to by PDM

This is correct. Communication from government agencies is very formal and strictly regulated. They do not use digital voice machines and leave threatening messages on an answering machine. Continue reporting suspicious activity.
NUBA
August 21, 2019
I just received a voicemail robotic that my ssn will be suspended if I dont call them back. The number was 1-800-307-7101
scam
August 21, 2019
7186184923 called about suspended ID!!! This is a scam.
I.M Fedup
August 22, 2019
I have been getting calls from scammers all year. They call and text me a minimum of three times per day. I've learned to not answer calls I don't recognize even if they are local calls or 800 numbers. This message was left in my voice mail this morning. I have visual voice mail that changes the voice message to text. Forwarded voice mail from:+12562429670 This message is from the Social Security Administration. The reason to reach you is to let you know that your social security number is going to be suspended by the law enforcement agencies immediately. So before anything goes wrong give us a call back as soon as possible and our call back number which is 256-242-9670. I repeat it's 256-242-9670. Thank you.
Fed Up Also
September 11, 2019

In reply to by I.M Fedup

I got the exact same message on my visual voice mail yesterday! The only difference was the phone number...940-333-3140. I work nights (with an unnamed law enforcement agency) so I called the number back and it went straight to that old disconnected, rapid busy signal from the 80's. As long as there are these kind of stupid people/criminals...job security for law enforcement...so sad!
bcsch
August 22, 2019
My husband has been receiving bot phone calls about his SSN being suspended. We "googled" and found this to be a scam. The VERY next day at my place of employment there was a message left on the answering machine from a (702)272-4999 number. It stated the following: "Your SSN has been suspended. A claim has been filed under your name. Before it goes to Federal Claims Court, please call before you get arrested" CRAZY! It appears from reading multiple previous comments they are calling from ALL sorts of numbers! We have not returned ANY phone calls, and do not intend too.
abc
August 22, 2019
I got such call this morning. I am glad I didn’t fell into the trap. But these scammers are ridiculous. I get so many calls in a day!
cynthia_80906
August 22, 2019
I got a call today 8-22-2019, saying that my social security card is suspended. The phone number that called me is (718)391-9365. It is a New York number don't know if it was pirated. Just want to report that phone number.
Cantfoolme
August 22, 2019
Got the robocall today from 1-888-396-1866. Received the same call from another number yesterday. Blocked both numbers but seems like they just keep changing the number.
Meof3
August 22, 2019
The number I keep getting calls from is in myersville md. The number is 240-356-3322 I do not answer..
Corncob81
August 22, 2019
I knew it was a scam bc of the cg voice
Kittietta
August 23, 2019
I just got one of the same calls your SS# deactivated for fraud. I KNEW it was a scam but I really worry about those who will get this call and be scared and give out all their info. I t really makes me angry.
Emuneca
August 23, 2019
Going on today August 23, 2019.
COH
August 23, 2019
Received a call from 877-316-1045 (SS) saying number was being suspended!
Dangel
August 23, 2019
I just got a call from ‭+1 (844) 424-8772‬ and ‭+1 (844) 659-2108‬ saying also my ssn was suspended
mealine
August 23, 2019
I received a robocall from 667-306-9010 saying my SSN was suspended and told me to press "1" for more information. These people never quit.
Coach Dena
August 24, 2019
I got a voice mail saying they were from the social security department of administration and that my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. It was a computer generated message. It said to press 1 if I wanted to know about the case. It came from the number (667)720-8557. It is a scam, so if you get this one just hang up. Your social security number will never be suspended
Winter
August 27, 2019
I had a call yesterday 8608865064 , claiming they were from SSI and I had my SS# number stopped. I blocked the number
N.nnnnnnn
August 27, 2019
Received similar from 805-723-2025. Said ssn was suspended and to call number back to resolve issue
phatgal3
August 28, 2019
I keep getting calls about my ss# being suspended they call all hours got one last night at 11pm and as early as 630am wish they would stop and all different numbers . The last number was 832-481-7053
jadu28
August 28, 2019
I just received an automated phone call stating that my social security was suspended. The number used for the scam was 1-410-412-2243 Glen Burnie, MD. They hung up on me.
Kaismom04
August 28, 2019
I just received a call from 770-462-4612 saying my SSN was going to be suspended. Beware of this number. It is obviously a scam. Please pass this along. Especially to the elderly and and anyone in your family that may believe this to be true.
iowakuj1
August 28, 2019
anyone getting a scam call from 0111 860 072-5511 telling them that their ssn has been suspended ?
Jo
August 28, 2019
I just had a automated phone call. I didn't pick it up so I checked my voicemail and it was an automated recording about my SSN being suspended. The number was: 410-344-2578
mes
August 28, 2019
Just had a call saying mine was suspended due to fraud use in TX and to call 844-262-1498
Justonly7
September 04, 2019

In reply to by mes

I just had the same call and finally listened to my voicemail and had 3 more saying the same thing. I don't work I'm sick and my social won't get them far if they want it I've already damaged my own credit by being sick . But makes me mad that the ones who do work and keep their credit good that they have to worry about creeps stealing their identity. Its insane and i think getting rid of the internet and cellphones will make it harder for people to be evil to each other . But unfortunately the world is to smart for its own sake. .
Annoyed
August 29, 2019
I have been receiving calls for two days now. I blocked the number and it comes from another one. Mine are coming from Santo Domingo RD area code 809.
not falling for it
August 29, 2019
I just recieved a call from a scammer claiming that my social security number had been suspended and "used in criminal activity" lol what a dumb scam, anyway their phone number is: 1-415-384-9506
Dany
August 29, 2019
I got a message saying my ssn was being suspended and to call back to take action. I called and they asked for me to confirm my personal information. I said you confirm it with me and they had an old address from years ago. The number was +14259038593
TooSmart
August 29, 2019
I received 2 calls from someone saying they are from the Social Security office. The first call said my ss # has been suspended due to suspicious activity. The second call said there is a lawsuit against me and a warrant has been put out for my arrest due to fraudulent activity!
scary phone tactic
August 29, 2019
I got a call from 1 800 985 7516 saying my social security number was suspended. They wanted me to press one to speak to an officer. This page clears everything up, thanks!
smith
August 29, 2019
received two calls so far today with same SSN suspension narrative and blocked it. number is (415) 384-9506.
Tesag
August 29, 2019
Just received a robot call saying my SSN has been suspended. Thought I would get something like that in the mail only. So scary... New Jersey 201-304-6914
CKB
August 29, 2019
Got the same call saying my social security number is being suspended. Call came from (281) 747-8218
WEN
August 29, 2019
800-701-1793 ADDED
sunny
August 30, 2019
Just got a call from +1-855-063-5574 about suspended SSN.
crunch155
August 30, 2019
They have called me seven times today!! I haven’t answered any of the calls but each time they call it’s been a number with one number different from the last and the calls all say they are coming from the Dominican Republic! Each message says the same exact thing that “my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity press one to learn more.” HOW DO I MAKE THEM STOP?!! I’ve blocked each number but they call again!!
Kel
August 30, 2019
210-294-9974 pls do not answer this number. They are a scam and got me today. I am so scared right now!!!! I wasn't thinking..
Christykosh
August 30, 2019
I just got 3 calls from different numbers saying that my social security number has been suspended and there is an arrest warrant being put out under my name. Since there is no way that is possible, I am certain this is a scam to get my information. Sri Lanka - 94 (14) 332 652 North Port, FL - (941) 240-8561 Just says United States - 0000000000
Missy
August 31, 2019
I live in PA & these scumbags called me from a Delaware number, 302-652-7570. Exact same voicemail as the other posts I’ve read, that my ssn is already suspended press 1 to find out more about my case. I knew it was a scam the minute I listened to the message. The US Government doesn’t just one day decide to suspend your ssn for any reason. Thankfully I knew that, but there’s people who don’t, which is why I’m posting this. Be weary of the lowlifes out there who would rather waste all their time & energy harassing & conning decent people rather than put it into something productive. It’s so sad.
Md
September 02, 2019
‭call from 84411759072‬: “This is to inform you that your social security number is being suspended and there is an arrest warrant being issued under your name to talk to an officer, press one. I repeat to know more about the Case, press one.”
Jennievi35
September 02, 2019
I received it also. Is this a scam number also ‭+1 84413789847‬
Noname
September 03, 2019
I got a call saying a warrant has been issued in my name.
Nancy
September 03, 2019
Received a call today from (800) 690-3858.
2goat&1dogmom
September 03, 2019
Just received an automated phone call from 888-431-7147, saying my social security number has been suspended due to fraud. I just hung up. Not falling for that.
VH
September 04, 2019
Have gotten multiple calls but ignored it, knowing that most if not all government contact numbers begin with area code 800. I also used to be a banker and familiar with most modus operandi of scammers.
BF123456789
September 04, 2019
Scam number - 18442081942
Don't use your…
September 04, 2019
1-800-438-0295, your SSN has been suspended, please do these people think we're stupid?
Return to top