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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.

Anyah
June 29, 2020
6-29-2020 I stupidly enrolled in a PAY PAL advertisement, and stupidly stupidly input information and I am getting a gazillion calls and am un-scubscribing one at a time. It is endless. Now, I am getting repeated calls from phone numbers that claim to be from the Social Security office. The lady said that my social security was jeopardized and she needed to verify information from me. I asked the lady her name and she said, "Officer Kelly" Ha! but she would not give me the information about where her office was and got quite irate with me for asking identification questions to her, so she said she did not want to talk to me anymore and hung up! This is not a Social Security office. These are the numbers so far of the Social Security Scammers: 205-620-3681 205-801-1111 972-497-1400 406-228-7930 When I called one of the numbers back, I accidently pressed "8" and the response was they would not call back! I lucked out on that one.
Nashville-Beeby
June 30, 2020
Robocall saying it was an officer from Social Security Administration and my card had been used fraudulently south of Texas, I think. Instructed me to press 1. “I repeat: press 1. Thank you and have a great day.” Blocked.
210-942-1148
June 30, 2020
This number called me and threatened me with criminal charges if I did not call a different number ... regarding suspicious activity to do with my SSN .... says San Antonio, TX
John
June 30, 2020
I received the legal enforcement action robocall this evening from Georgetown Colorado (720) 649 - 5390 , telling me there was criminal activity on my SS number.... be aware it’s a scam.
adam
June 30, 2020
I got the call from 410-874-5297- they left a message as I didn't pick it up.
Robert d Tompkins
July 01, 2020
Hello I get them fake social security calls everyday telling me that I am being sued because my missed used of my ssn.
Bflo N.Y.
July 02, 2020
Received call in 716 area code, said from SS office. Recording said possible fraud on my SS number, press 1for more info. Is this fake call?
amotherofthree
July 02, 2020
I just got a robocall, claiming to be from the SS office. Supposedly, there was fraudulent activity using my SSN and if I wanted to know what the activity was to press 1. The number was 719-580-1080. I tried calling it back and all I got was the voicemail, claiming that the mailbox was full and that no message could be left. Idiots.
Hazard
July 03, 2020
DAILY CALLS from a foreign voice (Indian) threatening to take away my social security benefits. Telephone numbers are ALL different.
Tben
July 05, 2020
I have got two calls this week from someone calling from Warren, PA staring they are from the social security Administration..814-584-3254 and 814-584-3247. Scammers
dwgOKsocsec
July 06, 2020
I Received A Call Around 10:15 am On Monday, July 6, 2020, From 979-341-7154. This Call Mentioned Suspicious Activity On My Soc. Sec. Acct., And To Call Them Back, Or They Will Go Forward With Legal Action Of Some Sort. To Me, It Is Obviously A Scam, Or Worse. But, What Do I Know, Huh?
Kaylab
July 06, 2020
Do they ever call to tell you that they are filing a fraud lawsuit against you?
SF
July 06, 2020
I got a call from a 281-846-1534 phone number, with a Houston, Texas location. The claim was that my SS# has been compromised and I need to call them. I added to my block list.
Teresa Conway
July 06, 2020
I recieved a call from this number 514 496 4655, said they were from SSI an their checking on fraud!
Sad2sayme2
July 06, 2020
I received a phone call saying I am on the verge of criminal activities so when you get this message kindly call us back at (901) 520-6688. Before we begin this legal proceeding thank you. It was a recording like a robotic voice.
Teena
July 07, 2020
I just received 2 phone calls from the number 1360-2080143 and they won't say their name bus keeps on saying that they are from social security administration and I don't call when I'm supposed to they will count me as no appearance. Then when I call back ask their name and they just sit there and hang up. So, Making sure that no is going to be able to use me or my kid's social security numbers. I knew it was a scam because social security always mailed me stuff out not call.
FasterEd
July 07, 2020
They are now using a 202 area code number. 202-443-1547 & 202-741-9849 Both reverse back to DC area but not SSA. These clowns are beyond pathetic..........
glamour
July 07, 2020
Im getting calls from phone number 970-305-8762. These are Indian (Asian) men who do not know what state they are calling from nor do they know how to pronounce the states (e.g Colorado). Also, they gave some fake file number and immediately starting asking for personal information. When I said, I do not get calls only letters, they hung up on me. This is the second number and as soon as I started to ask questions, they hang up on you.
Marta
July 08, 2020
someone versus security called me saying they were an officer working for social security and wanted my information
Mattpal
July 08, 2020
9087526313 Got another one "there are problems with your social security number and it has been temporarily suspended" lol
Countrygirl19841417
July 08, 2020
Getting a call from someone pretending to be from the Social Security office saying that my social security card was being used and fraud. This the number that keeps calling me 412 465 1104
Paul
July 08, 2020
Here are two numbers for Social Security scams 1-844-487-3426 1-855-215-5149 If they ask you for your social security number hang up and block the number
Lola
July 08, 2020
It was the number with the four zeros at the end at what number called me
John
July 09, 2020
3213327658 Called saying I have committed fraud in Texas and Social Security card is suspended. To fix please press one I hung up.
LORETTA
July 09, 2020
7-9-20 got an call from officer Sammy Williams ,badge#2609301,my case #dc7010 his phone number 1800-631-8169 Pleasanton tx .stating I believe you’re the one,we found 22 lbs of cocaine in a car on the south side of Texas ,we went to some address it was vacant,what are the last four of your ss# and if you believe it an scam .i am signing the warrant right now .they are at your door now . I hung up the phone .last time I suppose to be in Mexico with the same thing except for that time I had left a lot of credit cards behind.
Frustrated!
July 09, 2020
As many have already commented, I have been receiving multiple calls. In answered one, and knowing it was a scam (years ago I worked for SSA) I reached a person after pressing the links. I accused the person (male with accent) of the scam. He hung up! i continue to get calls - all from a 592 area code (Kansas). I do not live anywhere near Kansas, and I do not answer. When the call ends I check the number that's rercorded by my phone as a missed call, and block it. Unfortunately they seem to have an unlimited number of phone lines, so I am still getting calls - with the 502 area code but a different phone number - and blocking them. At some point I hope they will run out of numbers! The Federal govt should have some way of stopping this!!
Don36
July 10, 2020
Yes I just got a phone call today!! The number is 510-564-8998 fro Oakland ca
Henry
July 10, 2020
I received a couple call today from 747-212-1935. I called the number from my work line and spoke to a gentleman with an accent. His greeting when he came on the line was "Social Security Administration". He asked if I received a call and had a reference number. I advised I didn't. He then asked for my first and last name and the last 4 of my SSN. I told him I would call back and hung up.
jestef66
July 10, 2020
I received a call from 374-956-2562 with a message saying that my SSN was suspended due suspect activities. Be careful.
Tim
July 11, 2020
Got a fake Social Security call from: 747-212-1948.
Pbsmith
July 13, 2020
I keep getting phone calls and text messages saying to call 202. 932 4291. Because ally benefits have been stopped. They answer social security office when you call. When you say you are responding to their message you are transferred to an Asian sounding person
caseysmom
July 13, 2020
Received 3 calls from phone number 833-943-2010. The first call told me my SSN was used illlegally in SW Texas, Caller asked me for my name I just hung up on them. Receive d 2 more calls and just let them go to voice mail. They stated it was urgent that I return their call. I will coninue to ignore.
Don't usclfe y…
July 14, 2020
I had s call today I didn't recognize the number so luckily I have an option to screen calls.It days I had committed fraud.then hung up and called from a different number! 1855 755 2390/1207 538 8390 and also 1 903 201 5925.some ppl have no soul to avtu2do this to ppl!
Carribeangoddess
July 14, 2020
“Cited to suspend your Social Security number and file a lawsuit against you as we have received and suspicious activity on your social to get more information please call on our department number 202-922-8873 I repeat 202-922-8873 thank you…” Just got this voicemail from a scammer and is showing the theyre from Washington,DC
Alex
July 14, 2020
I just received a call from Nacogdoches TX (936) 585-4802. This is the voicemail they left; “Dear citizen this is to notify you that due to a certain suspicious activities related to your Social Security number we have been forced to suspend your Social Security number with immediate effect due to all this your Social Security benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case if you feel this is an error you may contact Social Security administration on…” then they state to call the number the called from and repeat the phone number. Be careful everyone!
Ebr
July 14, 2020
‭+1 (202) 932-4105‬ Scam
Martin
July 14, 2020
I just had a call from 1-956-904-5040 telling me that they have found Fraudulent activities against my Social Security number and i need to call this number back before they start proceedings against me
Rodan
July 15, 2020
Recorded Scam call saying SSN benefits locked out and to call back on this number (806)395-2816 (the number the call came from, saying it was the SSA) if I believe this was in error.
Linda
July 15, 2020
Just got a call tonight that was automated using the SS phone ID....Stating it was social security and my account has been suspended. The FBI has become involved and I needed to press “1” to be connected to a live representative! I hung up immediately!!!
Nuggetluv
July 16, 2020
I received a call this morning from a computer with the area code (443) 419-6163 saying it was from the Social Security Administration Office saying that my Social Security Number (which she used the last 4 digits) was going to be suspended for fraudulent activity, and if I didn't call back my Number would be suspended and and any actions would be on me. After some researching I found out that the Social Security Administration does not call anyone. I have since blocked the number and did not call that number back. Please be aware of these scammers!
PDang
July 16, 2020
The caller gave me a phone # 346-207-1434 and said this is the DEA office. They pretended like DEA agents to investigate a crime involving drug and money laundering associated with your social security number. They tried to verify you and said that the SSA will contact you to issue a new SSN. They asked you to withdraw money from your bank and will give you a code.
Arowe
July 17, 2020
Just got one of those calls it came from 940-226-4970 when you call back they said it was from the social security administration investigation unit but when the person answered it was a person that spoke broken English he asked for the last 4 digits of my ss number I told him off I was not going to give you my number and then they hung up
ejp
July 17, 2020
Call from 469-423-6570 about "legal proceedings." Instructions were to call 469-423-6570, and person said they were Social Security. This is a Texas number, but I don't live anywhere near Texas. Hope this helps.
Ben
July 17, 2020
I just received a robo call about my SS # saying that it was under suspicion of being tampered with and that I should call to find out more about it. The number was; 801-541-8177 Give me a break...the SSA office does not ever call about anything to do with your SS#.
YumYum
July 20, 2020
332-456-7979 Just called and said Social Security about fraudulent charges against me an arrest warrant has been issued
Susan
July 20, 2020
I just received a call from 678-644-8779 with a recording telling me a warrant has been issued for my arrest due to fraudulent activity with my social security number, press one if you wish to speak with an agent. So, I pressed one. Someone with a strong accent answers and you can hear tons of people on calls in the background. I told him I know this is a scam and it's illegal. To remove my number and I'm reporting them to the FBI. Of course, he hung up on me. Some poor unaware person is going to fall for this, and, out of fear, they'll do whatever they're instructed to do believing it'll keep them from going to jail. I wish these criminals were caught and locked up!!!!
Don't use your…
July 20, 2020
I have received two robocalls this morning stating that my SSN is linked to fraudulent activity, and asking me to "press 1 to speak to an agent". The only thing I am pressing is the hang up button. The incoming number is one of the local numbers from a neighboring town; we use Magic Jack which only provides phone numbers from that neighboring community for our town. In any case, do they honestly think I am going to take them seriously when they are using a local area code, and a prefix from a town 20 miles away while pretending to be a federal agency? How stupid do these people think we are?
OhioDude
July 20, 2020
I am getting scam calls everyday saying my SSI and SSN have been compromised. Calls are from 513.806.9352, 806.5341, 806.4766, 806.3306 and just keep coming . I hang up and never respond with any info!
Not so dumb
July 21, 2020
So I got a call from them yesterday claiming that they were going to prosecute me unless I cooperated with them because someone had opened multiple Bank accts in my name in the state of Texas. I live in Florida. I knew this was a scam from the start but I decided to play along. She first asked me my name and the last 4 digits of my ss #. I gave her my name but not the correct numbers. She says yes mam I can see right here on my computer screen that this person is a really bad criminal and I needed to cooperate or else I was going to be charged with all of those crimes. It was really hard not to laugh as she told me that a car registered to me was found abandoned with drugs in it and blood all over the car. Smh. I said of course I'll do whatever you need me to do. She then transferred me to someone who claimed to be an officer with the DEA and he proceeded to tell me that they went to the address that was on the registration and found lots and lots of drugs and blood splatter throughout the house that it looked like a murder had taken place. Again I was informed that I needed to let them help me or they were going to freeze my bank accts be and block my ss#. Speaking of bank accts he then asked me how many I had. LMAO!!!! I told him only one checking and savings at the same bank and of course he wanted the name and the amount of money that I had in each acct. So I continued to play along and said I hand a $100 in checking and only $50 in my savings. At that point he said "well mam we've already run your background and can see that you've never been in trouble and you're a law abiding citizen so I'm going to pass your info to my Sr DEA officer here and see if we can help you. He said I'd get a call in 2 hours. THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS IS WHERE HE SAID HE COULD SEE THAT I HAD NEVER BEEN I TROUBLE BEFORE. Let me start by saying I no longer live that lifestyle anymore and have been clean and sober for thee years. Never been in trouble. How about I have 14 felonies and 8 misdemeanors and have been to jail and prison. Just thought I'd share that with you all. It was a good laugh for me but I feel bad for the older people that they prey on and fall victim to them.
John Travioli …
July 21, 2020
I got calls from (937)203-2803, (210)942-1628 and (210)942-1619 two stating that a woman (can't remember the name) with the police procured records of me being involved in drugs and I need to owe them something like $200 and another call (the center one) telling me I had a two hundred dollar amount owed on my credit card (which I looked, and I don't). They are full of it and I wish they would stop calling me.