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The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
  • Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there.
  • Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
  • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.

If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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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.

Redgirl54
October 10, 2019
This scam is still as bad if not worst . The numbers are 202 area code or 654. Saying that your local police are on the way to arrest you
cneicie
October 11, 2019
I am getting 1-2 calls a day. As soon as I block one number, they start coming from another number. Is there anyway to get these calls to stop?
worthless
October 11, 2019
I can not get help from any number I call this is worthless information
Ross
October 11, 2019
+1 253-383-7901 they didn't fool me I asked for their ID he gave me Officer Kressman badge # A2713A41. I googled it and it was not valid. I told him and he hung up. It was noisy like a call center. He asked my name I gave him nothing.
Lynne
October 11, 2019
Someone needs to investigate this phone #(602-405-2394) that sounds like a robocall and says that your SS # has been identified by someone in Texas as using it.
Shelly
October 11, 2019
I just got a called yhis man was on the phone sayin he is from social security fraudulate unit sayin my social is being used in crimanal activity and i needed yo press 1 i did i ask you they wish yo speak to he hung upy
Normahobgood
October 12, 2019
I received a call this morning at 11:15 central time from the people that you are describing in your message.. They verified that my card was being compromised in Texas I wanted the last four numbers of my SS Which I did not give them. I told them that this cold is making me uncomfortable and I hung up on them. I don’t know if there’s anything else I should do or not. The number they used was 1-631-481-2393. Normahobgood
wilson
October 12, 2019
Received a scam call stating they are "from social security call immediately...bla bla bla" 866 859 7487
Concerned Citizen
October 14, 2019
Received call from Ext 719 294 1015 claim to be with the Social Security Administration. Sounds to have Arabic accent. When call they are persistent on knowing your name. When I refuse, they hang up.
Text
October 14, 2019
YES they been calling me I don't answer the phone it's the person I JUST read about saying someone from Texas been using my card
priyavarma
October 30, 2019
9637496121, 7028718516, 9767189797, 9834992447, 9527926698, 7387850218, 9975431742, 9822413110, 9890495757, 6200012527, 8605885382, 8208217481, 7620524894, 7507860909, 9822272767, 9975351352, 9689267167, 9422582101, 9021913001, 9595720747, 9021084962, 8806770143, 9689275300, 7620860003, 9850551082, 9265996270, 8007367166, 7757029844, 8830186978, 9657549101, 9921341609, all number availabal and iam ready to tallk
cmf
October 15, 2019
Someone call me from a SSA 210 294-6422 and 210-346-0314...VM: reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action file on your SS # for fraudulent activity so before goes to the state court house and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any questions kindly call us at ... 210 294-6422 and 210-346-0314 in a matter of 20 minutes...
Vincy
October 17, 2019

In reply to by cmf

Yep I received a call like that this afternoon from phone 786-250-6512. They be trying real hard to get your information and give you all types of reasons why you need to call them back. I hang up the phone and block them.
GA Girl
October 15, 2019
Got a call today from GA #. I typically play along and this time they got very irate and hung up on me. What I don't understand is how upset "the scammers" get when someone tries to do to them what they do to others.
smb
October 15, 2019
Received call form 1800-638-4210 related to committing fraudulent activity under your SSN and can be arrested call suppose to be form Social Security Administrator
Angela
October 15, 2019
I received three calls today regarding my SS number: # +1 (800) 598-5488 # 1-800-221-6702 and # 1-888-675-6247 They all three were scams about how my social security number was either fake and I was going to be sued. This has to be STOPPED. I honestly believe that some people use the recordings on this site & reuse them to spoof numbers for harassment & for their own sick pleasure. Thank you
BR
October 15, 2019
I have received 3 calls today from 3 different phone numbers. I have blocked each number and they call from a different number 1:30 PM (888)533-3350 3:11 PM (888)730-7251 3:31 PM (888)253-1720
troth
October 15, 2019
Received a strange call on my cell phone from #2679327047. She said from our vacation ownership and in an alarming voice it is very important to speak with us ASAP to go over information. This sounds very questionable like a scam and we have not called her back. The ID shows the location of Harleysville, Pa. We have received many other calls on landline and cell showing this and receive blank voice mail messages. Maybe others have also received strange calls from this #.
amw
October 16, 2019
The exact same thing happened to me this morning - putting the number they called me from for exposure: 817-662-7876
Ricardo
October 16, 2019
Scammer calling from the following number: 916-480-8236 Claiming to be from the SSA, (returned the call 3 different times and same accent on 3 different people). On the last call, I gave them a fake name (Benjamin Bratt) and a fake social security number (640-38-1234) he was amazed I got a "lucky" serial number (like a pin number), "Michael" advised me to call my local office to help me since he did not find any info on me. I wonder why..
Fedupwithscammers
October 16, 2019
I just received a call from 469-393-5941. Some guy was trying to tell me my social security number had been suspended. Everyone knows the SS admin will never call you and they can not suspend you ss number. When are these scammers going to give it up?
Scam number
October 16, 2019
I just got a call from 1-800-711-8165 saying there is fraud activity on my SS# and press #1. I didn't I just hung up.
Cheryl
October 16, 2019
410-37685661 said they are from social security and please call a number to get more information.
Sandy Color
October 16, 2019
I just had ANOTHER social security agent call me. His name is James Davidson, badge #2107-265, calling from 202-595-2906. He had an Asian accent, he is sending federal agents to arrest me as we speak, UGH!
Mimimo
October 16, 2019
Getting calls from this number as well ‭+1 (800) 073-5634‬
Ian Seine
October 17, 2019
I keep receiving this: “Soon as possible again this call is from Social Security administration number to reach department is 430-209-0585 I repeat it's 430-209-0585 thank you…”
uncleplatt1954
October 17, 2019
Just got a call from 1-800-112-8360. It said my SSN was under investigation and a warrant will be issued for my arrest. I hung up!
maddie
October 17, 2019
Just got a call "from social security" saying someone in TX using my SSN. Then switched to another person who was to be "security" . When they asked my name I replied: "I will call SS myself as I don't answer questions on the phone. (I'm 78). Learned long ago falling for some scammer...... oh, this wasn't a 800 # it was my area code #....
Miami FL
October 17, 2019
received call from 800-621-6301 stating my SSN will be suspended and I need to talk to an investigator.
Pending SSA Co…
October 17, 2019
Call on 16 OCT 2019, 1233 PM, from 503-862-6977 located in Beaverton, Oregon. I let it roll over to my voice messages. Caller stated that there was a case in front of a magistrate judge, with a Case ID provided on the call, and that my Social Security Number could be suspended if I took no action. Caller directed me to call their Investigative Team at the number above, for more information on the case and that they would provide help with the situation.
10/17/2019
October 17, 2019
I received a phone call from Social Security . It was a robotic message from 713-347-2105 telling me there had been illegal activity on my account and that there was a warrant for my arrest. And to press 1 to talk to a rep, but I hang up. I called again from a land line and the # didn't exist.
Don't use your…
October 17, 2019
Received 2 calls today telling me my social security number is being used fraudulent crimes
Red1080
October 19, 2019
I just received a Robot voicemail from an 818 area code telling me that there’s legal enforcement action on my ssn criminal activity section 18 and the rest was literally muffled if I didn’t want to go to court and be arrested for the crime to call them back immediately LOL but the best part was when I went to call them back to have some fun with the losers the number was disconnected I guess they really needed my money to pay the phone bills Don’t fall for it I fell for a fake Apple email last year on my birthday and thank God it was only $1k it could’ve been so much worse
Kleb
October 20, 2019
I have received over a dozen calls from people all over the place Washington state, north and south Carolina, Texas and New York saying that there was fraudulent activity on my SS number. I have been threatening phone calls saying they were gonna throw me in jail until all is straighten out. I can't understand half of what they are saying because all have a thick middle eastern accent. They said they was gonna get someone to call me back that spoke English, so far nothing. If I call back the number and no one answered. They call on one number and leaves a different number for me call back on. The one man gave me his name and a ssa number right off. Is he for real. No mail as of yet and I thought that is how they address you.
GA
October 21, 2019
10/21/19 Received call that said my SS # was compromised. Calling # was 844 075-5462.
M Evans
October 21, 2019
I am receiving calls from 972-916-9176 claiming to be the Social Security Administration. I have ignored the calls to date as I have no reason for a personal call from the SSA. Just today they left a voicemail threatening to put out an arrest warrant if I did not cal back with my social security number.
Ky M.
October 21, 2019
I keep getting what I believe a scam phone number/call and this is the third or fourth time without me calling them back. I have heard and read that Social Security won’t call me. They leave the voice message that my social security number has been has been suspended due to some criminal activity and this is their final notice. I am to call them at 206-415-3469
J A
October 21, 2019
Just received a prerecorded call from ‭ +1 (210) 880-4816‬ saying that my SA number had been suspended for suspicious activity. Was “ advised “ to call the number. Can somebody investigate it?
santos
October 21, 2019
I get call front social security this is number where the call 18005257746 and i give las 4 digital what can i do they stolen
monday
October 21, 2019
We received a call from 209-488-6214 stating SS NUMBER WAS compromised and they want to come and deliver documents with new SS NUMBER AND COURT PAPERS I THIS LEGITIMATE?
SameNumber
October 24, 2019

In reply to by monday

Got a phone message from same number (209-488-6214). Similar message with an additional , "Please call back before we start legal proceedings." Definitely a scam
Quinci
October 21, 2019
I have gotten calls from the phone number (832) 306- 3923 stating that my Social Security has been used in a fraudulent case in Texas and to avoid being arrested I need to provide them with info such as my address and my social. I told them I wanted to look into this first and I would call them back. The phone operator tried repeatedly to give him my social. I hung- up.
Justm3
October 21, 2019
Just got a call from 914-816-1295 don't answer unknown #'s so sent it to vm. Message is a very broken up recording claiming to be SSA that my SSN has a hold due to fraud activity. Now I barely got this # a week ago and it's prepaid so no SSN was needed so #and SSN not linked, when I looked up the 914 # it comes up as Whatsapp #
LadiQ
October 21, 2019
Just got a call that was identified as spam likely on my phone and they left this voicemail... “is filing lawsuit against you and arrest warrant has been filed under your name due to a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for frozen activities to get more information about this case and arrest warrant from federal database please call 1-325-238-7814 I repeat 325-238-7814 Social Security deputy officer waiting for your call back…”
Arthur
October 21, 2019
18003196299 called saying that they're going to block my S.S.
Hate SS Fraud
October 22, 2019
These frauds harass me more than any others, via telephone of course. Still doing the Texas use of your ss # bait. When you tell them where to go they act all innocent. Avoid ANYONE who calls you about your SS #.
Lynn
October 22, 2019
8000546139 8001711747 from unknown, who said my friend’s SSN was stolen to commit a crime. The guy even provided the case ID and arrested no. She gave the last 4 digits of her SSN before I stopped her. What can she do?
Thumper
October 22, 2019
I get these fake calls everyday from all over the world. I’m so tired of receiving them! How can I make them stop besides blocking the numbers? There are more numbers than I can block from my cell phone. Please help.......
Chata74luna
October 22, 2019
Got a call from Baytown, Texas (281) 839-0104. Automated message said my social security number had been suspended and that I needed to press a button to get more information ... that my number had been compromised due to suspicious activity. Yea right! I hung up and looking here to report.
CC
October 22, 2019
I have had 4 phone calls per caller-id showing Social Security Administration is calling today Oct 22, 2019. Stating that I need to talk to them regarding my SSN number. Luckily I know that the SSA does not call out of the blue. This is getting to be frustrating for everyone.