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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.

tuffmamma2k
February 06, 2020
I received a voice mail this morning from 1-510-241-0643 saying they were from the Social Security Administration. They told me my social security number has been suspended because of crimes committed. When I called them back, they hung up on me four times while the phone was ringing. The next few times I called back, they asked for my name and date of birth, which I didn't give them. They then said since I wouldn't give them any details, they would have to refer me to the local police dept. Yeah, right, like I really believed them. I told them they were a scam both times and they hung up. Here we go again with the threatening phone calls from scammers!
fraud
February 06, 2020
Here is a number that just called pretending to be social security. Ssage from the Department of Social Security Administration the s.s.a. the very next moment you receive this automated message we want you or your retained criminal attorney of record to return the call the issue at hand is extremely time sensitive the number for you to call the s.s.a. back is 916-378-8641 The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities so before this matter goes to the state courthouse and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 916-378-8641 thank you.
someone
February 06, 2020
Fake call from 425-897-6363 kirkland, washington
Sharon
February 07, 2020
I got a call from ‭+1 (833) 752-8124‬ stating that some legal action is again my SS account . Is this a lawful call?
Ernest Adams
February 07, 2020
Hello this is Ernest Adams someone is getting my social security number some kind of way. I will never give out my social security number its something going on. Im from the city of Chicago heights.
EvansvilleIn
February 07, 2020
9158514542 scam ss call. Automatic message stating to press one to talk to an agent because i have had warrants put out for my arrest for ssi fraud.
coffeelover2020
February 07, 2020
I got so many calls from two numbers. One was 859-267-1043 from Richmond it the next was Anniston al 256-770-0107 both saying my social security number was being suspended for fraudulent reasons. So I finally called the Richmond number back and spoke to someone claiming to be a Michael Robinson #2S14057 he claimed to be an actual social security Administration person and that I should not listen to the people saying these were scam calls.. he then told me I could check his number bec it would come back as an actual employee for the ssa.. he got very rude when I told him that these scam calls needed to stop! Saying they weren’t scam calls..
Tera D
February 07, 2020
I have been having calls from someone or a recording that say's they are from SSC, 3 times , this week, they keep calling my home # and leaving messages , i don't pick up, the phone 833-273-0605
donna
February 10, 2020
I rec'd a call from 361-603-0165 I did accept the call he explained to me that my SS# was suspended and I was going to be going in front of a judge in 24 hours. this guy was so rude and aggressive, I asked him for his badge number and he actually used profanity. I disconnected the call. now he keeps calling my phone ive blocked each number but he calls back
Kayb
February 10, 2020
Since last week I have received 3 of these scam calls. Of course I never talk with them because I do not answer any # that I do not know who it is. They leave messages telling me there's a legal enforcement action filed on my social security number for fraudulent activity & before it goes to the state court house & before I get arrested I need to call them back immediately. No way!
Barb A
February 10, 2020
Just got a call on my husband's cell phone at 3512140633. When I tried to check the number for spam, it doesn't exist. That's a new one to me. They said his ss# has been associated with fraud and needed to call immediately or he would be arrested in 48 hours. I've hear the arrest thing before but was surprised I couldn't track the phone number. Scammers are always finding new ways to scare people out of their money. Don't fall for it.
Steve
February 10, 2020
Got a call saying my SS# is being used so I called 213-463-3422. An Arabic man said his name was Salem Reynolds. Wanted my address n SS#. I refused to give it to him and he got upset. The call ce in as a high risk call n they called 8 times in 5 minutes.
BettyD
February 10, 2020
I received a voicemail today from number 301-478-9472 from the "SSA" to inform me there is a legal enforcement action filed on my social security number for fraudulent activity. The robocall requested a phone call back "before this matter goes to the state court. house and before you get arrested."
Dvanderlinden
February 11, 2020
I got a call yesterday from a 512 number, they left a message,I still have it, there going to arrest me on charges from my ssn
Lisa McC
February 11, 2020
Scammers have been calling me from Social Security for past month wanting me to call back and verify last 4 digits of number...saying my SS # is suspended and suspicious activity.. Number to call is 512-980-3599
fromnashville
February 11, 2020
I got a called today from 9726663086. left a voicemail saying with a very heavy accent sounded Indian: illegal activities on your social number before we take any legal actions.... He probably meant to say social security number. The voicemail started cut off like that.
lismore
February 11, 2020
The third threatening call from the social security administration. I was to call them back or be arrested. Phone number showed UNKNOWN
Bgolde
February 12, 2020
I have been called by this number saying they are social security commission and my ss # has been used fraudulently and it will be blocked unless I give them my personal information. This is the phone number ‭+1 (515) 348-5538‬
Me2
February 12, 2020
Just got same call as everyone else. Federal agencies only use snail mail to correspond (ever try to correspond with IRS??). My call came from 800/484-2461 Make sure to pass info along to others, especially elder people!! Gotta watch out for each other!! God bless ya’ll
rswinston
February 12, 2020
I have been getting calls about my ssn every 30 minutes
FL_Writer
February 12, 2020
Same thing only 202-931-3229
willandreason
February 12, 2020
Just got one one these and called back to confront them...played along for a bit being very obtuse with the male caller...then when he knew I was on to him started swearing and threatening me. Laughable but be careful everyone!!
Lesa Cross
February 13, 2020
At exactly 3:01 2/12/2020 i received a call from 1740-204-7367 with a V2125012900001 as title saying i need to talk to an investigator as my Social Security # has been used in illegal activity and will be suspended on recording. I didn't click 1 i hung up.
6674587254
February 13, 2020
received a call from 6674587254 advising my SSA has been compromised. Asked me to hold to speak to an investigator.
PAWsitive
February 14, 2020
Thank you so much for this, I feel more comfortable and safe because of this.
Buckeye
February 14, 2020
I've received 10 calls today 2/14/2020 from this number (623) 239-4869. I blocked calls form this number, they still come through. I called this number and they say "Social Security Administration" when they answer the phone. They say this is an emergency and my SS # is about to be shut off. Any way to stop these people from disturbing me? This should be against the law.
Jb7788
February 14, 2020
Has anyone else gotten a call that says your ssn has been used for illegal activities.. and says that it's from texas? Says hes an officer..
HelpUS please
February 18, 2020
Received a call from number 9179479886 stating that my SSN was being fraudulently used in Texas. Also recieved a message stating that law enforcement maybe looking for me. Guys said he was from the victim safety enforcement and he needed me to verify my date of birth. I refused of course and he hung up.
Chris
February 18, 2020
I received a call from number 914-281-1590. I did not answer it, but they left a message. The caller claimed to be Officer Jonathan Knight with the Social Security Office saying that a class action lawsuit had been filed against my SSN and call them immediately before they begin with legal proceedings. I was able to find a thread on a separate website regarding the same call from the same person. Total scam!!
Casey R
February 18, 2020
Just received a call stating I must call back Social Security due to fraudulent activity with my Social Security Card. My card would be blocked in the next 24hours unlessI I called. They did not specify which persons card was compromised. Left a 1-866-882-1543
soccermom
February 19, 2020
I was just called by 1-800-337-1838 and automated system telling me to hang up and call them back at that number, they were social security trying to reach and said my name
Donna
February 19, 2020
i just received a call from someone saying he was calling from the SSA out of San Antonio,TX (1-877-768-0514) When I told him that I was going to report his number to SSA, he hung up!
Retired Govern…
February 19, 2020
Received a voicemail from 202 991 7893 (Washington DC) Indicating there has been illegal activity involving my social security number and there is a lawsuit being filed against me. Instruction was to return their call. They did not identify who exactly they were. .....now why go ruin a perfectly good day????
Porfle Popnecker
February 20, 2020
I just got one of these calls saying there was possible criminal activity connected with my SS number. It affected me particularly since I've just done some business with SS. The caller asked for the last four digits of my # but instead I told him that I'd just talked to a SS agent day before yesterday who told me my case was all squared away. At that point the caller hung up.
dotscot
February 20, 2020
Just got two calls saying my SSN was used in New Mexico The number they called from +1561 866 2606 +1561 866 5027
Fishhook159
February 20, 2020
Got a phone call today 02/20/2020 855-228-5821 telling me if I don't call them back they will take legal proceedings against me just to let you know that I'm disabled and 60 years old.
Freddie Jackson
February 20, 2020
I got a call from Billings MT social security office saying I had fraud on my SS Number it was left on a recording is this a scam?
rodlo7
February 20, 2020
My son just got a call and said that his SSN is linked to a car in TX and they found drugs and blood in the car along with cash and other items. Crazy!
Toomanycalls …
February 20, 2020
I have gotten 5 calls today which I don't answer but they are on my answer machine, they want to block the number. So they want the number plus my driver license number They say to call back on this number, This is a scam, 3048090054
Mo
February 21, 2020
Just got a call from a 209 number - so watch out about this scam
Don't use your…
February 21, 2020
I just got a call from 6083878451 in wisconsin. Asking for birth date and everything. I hung up. Who should I report this to?
joslk
February 21, 2020
Received a call today from 901-699-9734, 3-21-20 around noon. The man on the recording said my social security is at risk and has been linked with/to an illegal something... He said press 1 to continue and resolve... I hung up and reported it to the donotcall registry.
Michael Wd
February 22, 2020
I had someone calling asking for my name, then my date of birth. I only told her my name. I got suspicious and told the person I can't give out my personal information because I don't know who I'm talking to and hung up.
ctsal
February 25, 2020
I received a call this morning on my cell phone from 409-229-4304, they knew my name and said I had commited Social Security Fraud. I have never received Social Security and they wanted me to validate my SSN. I cam here to post a comment.
oo7aims
February 25, 2020
Did anybody got call from 214-785-8147 ?
M in Columbia MD
February 25, 2020
Recd Robo call that my SS# was being used fraudulently in Texas and to press #1 to talk to an officer. Caller ID showed 1-410-446-9059 in Catonsville, MD. I just ignored the call knowing it was probably a scam.
Kix
February 26, 2020
Robo call where a staccato voice announced that my SSN had been compromised someplace in Texas and I needed to press 1. I did a quick internet search, found this post and hung up.
Sweetcake
February 26, 2020
I just received a voicemail saying that my social security number has been reported as being linked to suspicious criminal activities and to please call 802-375-7623. Beware if you get this number. Good thing I missed the call.
NonyaBusiness304
February 27, 2020
I got this text : A scheduled delivery for Peggy Braxton Thursday 2/27 by 5:35pm is in route. please call 866-424-9260 for any questions and provide. 18-P09715 this is attempt to collect. Any information will be used for that purpose. reply stop if not Peggy.
Ms Lancaster PA
February 27, 2020
Call ID said Australia, but number to call back was 619-329-5897, said there was fraudulent activity on my SS# and that there will be enforcement action executed, also that by SS # would be blocked if I didn't contact.