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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.

Kimsta
October 15, 2019
My call was from 915-780-5127 today
KP
October 16, 2019
I just got a ssn suspension call from 888-573-3905 Voice was automated and said to learn more about the case press one
Eve
October 17, 2019
Someone called saying they're from the social security office and that my social has been suspended. To press one if i want to fix this problem. 2103135385. I was lime hell no buddy i dont give my info just like that. Be careful people.
galak
October 18, 2019
Just received a call/message from 772-882-7178 saying my SSN was being suspended due to suspicious activity. I'm assuming this is a scam, women had heavy accent.
Cristina Arias
October 18, 2019
Does anyone does anythIng about these callers? When they called me they said I had drug trafficking charge and money laundry and they talk like an Indian accent then asked me to meet up with 2 man?
khang0255
October 18, 2019
just got a call from a number +1 800 779 3331, anyone received a call from this number as well ?
Kris
October 18, 2019
+1 800 521 7796 - Got a spam call from this number. It was a recorded message saying SSN is blocked permanently due to suspicious criminal activity & to press 1 to connect to an officer to sort it out!
SS
October 21, 2019
Hi, My brother got a call saying that his SSN has been suspended. It seemed suspicious but before he disconnected, he revealed the last 4 digits of his SSN. Can anyone please clarify the repercussions? Will greatly appreciate any help/advice! Thanks
rv
October 31, 2019

In reply to by SS

It's a scam. Don't worry about it.
Concerned in MA
October 21, 2019
"Due to suspicious activity your social security number will be suspended" - or something similar threat from 1(940)902-6604.
Not fooled
October 22, 2019
I have received several of these Scam calls supposedly from the Social Security Administration. The latest about 30 minutes ago from phone # 315-262-0343. According to white pages look-up the number is from Potsdam, NY.
CeceDon't use …
October 22, 2019
5123646337 just called and said my social is suspended.
DO
October 23, 2019
Add this number 315-257-9103...just recd a call
Kim
October 24, 2019
I got a call from 1-800-692-7753 about an iCloud account then today two calls from 159-5953 about my SSN.. and told me to press a number to talk to an officer.. I hung up scared it was fake.. I mean why didn't the recording say my name at least..
Mbc
October 29, 2019
Just received a recorded voice message from an unknown number. The government would not hide its number. How is this allowed to continue? “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.”
Mykarenina
October 30, 2019
I just received a phone call moments ago from 1-800–766–6980 telling me that my Social Security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity and that federal agents are on their way to my home to arrest me unless I call a phone number to reactivate my Social Security number. I thought it was funny that they thought anybody would fall for this, but I guess the sad reality is that a lot of people do.
sv
October 30, 2019
scammers calling from 1(800)419-8167 and 1(800)853-7889 do not answer or believe them they are lying about your ssn being suspended.
sad - Don't us…
October 30, 2019
i just gave them my ss number 497-55-8102 what do i do now?
MCH
October 30, 2019
Don’t answer 855-285-6010 scammer saying SS# had Crimea’s activity and has been suspended
hemanshow
October 31, 2019
Just now, got a call from 800 710 4531, saying my SSN has been suspended dues to some suspicious activity. Asked me to press 1 to talk to a SSA official. I kept silent. Call repeated msg twice and call ended. Searched this page. I believe such call can give uneasiness to few call receivers. Call receiver should have right to ask phone carriers to give us details of the caller (location, company/individuals/robo or not/etc)
Mrs piggy
October 31, 2019
Yeah I keep getting that same telephone call. Last time I m going for 15 minutes before he figured out I was messing with them. Show me odd tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent activity on bank accounts and some rent a car from three different states 22 lb of cocaine if it's a really funny scam
Aidensmom
November 01, 2019
Got two today, from same number. 254-277-1827. Was a recording saying my number was suspended, had to call this number. First time, reported here on this site. Second time, called it back. "Hello, Social Security, how can I help you?" "I know you are a scam. Social Security doesn't suspend numbers, and they would send mail and not a recorded message and a guy with an Indian accent answering if they did. You can please take me off your call list." Lots of paper shuffling and keyboard typing noise and "Um...um...." I asked "Do you need some more info?" Silence. LOL, I don't think he could figure out how to hang up on me, must have been first day on the scam job.
Jerimaylene
November 01, 2019
I just got a robo call from +1(866)473-2803 that said my SSN had been suspended for suspicious activity.
GH
November 05, 2019
Oh yeah, got a phone call regarding my SS # being suspended. Knew it was a scam...hope everyone knows that too!
taylor4life
November 05, 2019
I got this call but my credit score went from a high 500 down to nothing so I'm not sure what to do about that.
Kathy
November 05, 2019
I've received this message twice today: "Suspension notice we have received against your social security number by the Federal crime and investigation Department. We need to talk to you as soon as possible. Again this call is from Social Security Administration number to reach department is 678-603-4188. I repeat it's 678-603-4188. Thank you.. Click here: 13608424007".
Annoyed
November 05, 2019
I have gotten several calls now with this fake message, they are all 1-800 numbers, most recent was 1-800-657-8945. If you get the call just hang up!!!!!
Ace
November 06, 2019
I been getting calls all day saying my ssn have been suspended due to a active warrant from the fbi it was a robot and it said press one to find out more ‭+1 (209) 528-0817‬ Waterford, CA ‭+1 (209) 210-1055‬ Lodi, CA ‭+1 (209) 164-7823‬ United States Them are the number that been calling me all day
8BallBoyZ407
November 07, 2019
18886443985 They Did Call Today
GW
November 08, 2019
got call from 1 867 614 8881 said that my SSN was suspended.
Kari
November 08, 2019
I just received 8 calls from 877-219-5240. After the first 2 messages - I called a friend that works for Homeland Security and he verified that this is a scam as well. The gentleman that I talked to (from a call center as you can hear others in the background) told me that he needed my social security number as well as my date of birth. Since I work for a law firm I told him that I needed something sent over to my attorneys so that they could verify and research the filing against my number. He told me that he couldn't do that and that he would be suspending my number immediately.
Teddy
November 08, 2019
I just received a voicemail from number (915) 670- 5798, stating that my SSN was suspended, due to some fraudulent activity.
Joe Shlabotnik
November 12, 2019
Why even answer an 800 type number? You know its either a telemarketer or a scammer. Both can easily spoof the caller ID, so don't even answer. If its legit they will leave a message, then you can decide if it really is legit and if you want to call them back.
drikman
November 12, 2019
Past 3 days calls about SS# suspended from 12282000113 18006997136
Gem
November 12, 2019
Same. Got a call from 1800-793-9788 said my ssn has been suspended. There is an arrest warrant out for me too. I wait for a second the hung up. Tried to call back the number is not in service.
Buston
November 12, 2019
I got a voicemail and I’m not even 13 yet I’m turning in April I saw this site I’m happy for the tips thx
KNCPETLOVER
November 13, 2019
RECEIVED TWO (2) today calls from 254-277-1203 robot saying that my social security number was about to be suspended by law enforcement and I needed to call back left the number as callback number and even repeated the number. caller id only ID'd as Texas . this is not the first call of this type I have received. have now blocked this number now waiting to see what number they use next time.
Gary Goodbird
November 13, 2019
‭+1 (800) 560-1378‬ And gonna block. And then they use a different phone number. The internet is going to revolutionize the way we...get scammed?
kmclean24
November 15, 2019
Scammer called from this number "2812176886" claiming that my social security number has been suspended due the suspicious activity and wants me to call them to clear it up. Obviously a scam......
Fed up with th…
November 15, 2019
number I got the call from ( 842) 819 6488 and (853) 198 1938It asked me to press one then immediately hung up. When I called the number back it said the number was out of service’
JonesKC
November 16, 2019
My husband just received a call from 915-995-6488 saying that his social security number would be suspended if he did call back. We know it is a scam. Just wanted to share the number.
Not an idiot
November 19, 2019
Just got a call from them. I pressed 1 to continue as the phone call peaked my interest. He asked for my last name, i replied "i'll provide my 2nd name if you can provide my 1st name" he replies "sir, i don't have your file in front of me, i need your last name to search for you." I say "oh. It's James" (it's not) he says "are you sure?" I say "yeah" and then he hung up. Don't fall for the shenanigans people. Social security offices WILL NOT CALL YOU, if they ever contact you it will be through the mail. 800-294-9065
Tiredofscams
November 20, 2019
Gota a robo call today saying my SSN was suspended. The number I received the call from is 315-228-9120.
H. B. F.
November 20, 2019
I have received several calls from them in the past and blocked all the numbers. Just got another call from them today, the number they used is 1-800-634-4768, it went to my voicemail and had the same message of "because of illegal activity in your social security account it has been deactivated and you will lose all your social security benefits" and blah, blah, blah. Number is blocked but I would not be surprised if they call again in the up coming months.
Craftycorner
November 22, 2019
My situation with scammer calls has gotten so bad that I have my phone on "Do Not Disturb" and will only receive calls from my electronic Rolodex.
jo
November 25, 2019
"This is John Johnson of the Texas State Police department" --- [ok that opening got my attention]. Same spiel. SS# suspended.
set
November 25, 2019
Just got the same type of a scam call from 800-815-5880 about suspension of my SSN
psychomantys
November 26, 2019
I have received multiple calls on this from different numbers: 800-735-7325 800-110-7217 800-6865-541
scammersAgain
November 27, 2019
I got the same voice mail below : thia more of a text to voice mail message generated... 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. 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
Charlotte12
November 27, 2019
Someone called with the phone number "(423)- 566- 6062" saying that my social security card is suspeneded.
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