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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.

BConnor
July 22, 2020
Just received a call and subsequent voice mail from someone claiming to be from Social Security Admin about my SSN being used in fraudulent activity in Washington, DC. The voice sounded robot-made; I am not responding.
Gram05
July 22, 2020
Just received another voicemail with same message the number calling is 567-244-0624 which is Norwalk Ohio.
Scam phone
July 22, 2020
Leaving messages that fraud is being committed with my social security number and to call them in Washington DC with a 202 area code
Christinebmn48@
August 07, 2020
How do I know if real call from social security disability is real
irritated2020
July 22, 2020
How are we still getting robo calls from SS office?? I just received a call from 586-737-7692. Don’t answer it is a scam!!!!
Angeles harry
July 22, 2020
I get a several calls to this number 253-739-6422 and 281-549-2642 said my social number have ilegal activities so I check here and some people have the same calls for the same numbers so I just. Block and don’t answer never ever .
Sweet Tee
July 22, 2020
I received a call from an individual stating someone committed a crime south of the border and my benefits were going to be suspended. The number was a 336-523-0476. Gave me an agent ID code and a case number. I was so scared I gave them the last 4 of my ss # and my birthday Im so scared right now because I don't know what to do now but cancel everything.
Avannoy
July 23, 2020
Calling telling me I’m in trouble for money laundering asking me for my sis number telling me all my assists are frozen calling from 18338541764
Mel
July 23, 2020
I got a call today from (747) 212-8431 I didn't answer it because caller ID came up as scam likely , but they left a voice mail saying my social had been suspended and there will be a warrant for my arrest if I didn't call them back. I get these calls from a bunch of different numbers nearly every day. It is getting to the point I just leave my phone on silent all the time these calls are just frustrating.
Dianelopez
July 23, 2020
I received a call from 508-551-2973. They would not tell me anything but that there was a problem with my ss num. I would not verify info with them so they hung up and when I call that number it has been disconnected. I told them I knew they where not from ss office.
Gmjoey
July 23, 2020
Hers the number that called me. As I sit with covid. Telling me I’m being investigated. There phone number is 610-601-6001. Chester springs pa. That’s where they called from. I hope this helps. It scares people.
haytigirl
July 24, 2020
Message from the Social Security that I am going to be prosecuted and the Sheriff office and media will be involved. number 509 295 6247
eee2
July 24, 2020
I just got a call saying they were the SSA and they called from 747-223-6876 about legal proceedings
Ella
July 24, 2020
They called me from 910.294.8570. They said they're from SSA office. They need full name, address and a SS# in order to resolve my case which I was supposed to get it by email.
Karizma521
July 24, 2020
I have been getting these scam calls for the past 2 years , I just ignore and block the # I did a reverse trace and it came up with a name of Michael hassey?? These calls are getting more frequent and very disturbing !! Don’t fall for them no matter what they threaten
PhoenixQueen
July 24, 2020
I got a call from a 562-766-9777 with a Wireless Caller info. A lady with an Indian accent claiming I was involved in drug trafficking activities in Texas. She also asked whether I have already received a call from the police and I said no. She read me the whole allegations and that I have 22 bank accounts (I wish). I asked her, is this a scam and she said nom she gave me her name, badge ID, case ID so she got my attention. When she said that she can help me if I cooperate with the Department of Treasury, I hang up. I think this is the part when they ask for money. Pls beware.
Veebaker1
July 24, 2020
Got a call from 1-877-555-1718 saying there’s been suspicious behavior on my SSN AND now a arrest warrant has been issued against me, crazy stuff these scammers are nuts right now
Rox
July 28, 2020
I just received a phone call from 646-939-0922. I was told that that my SSN will be suspended because fraud suspicion. They had my name and birthday and then I was asked to confirm my last 4 digits. I refused to share that information and they kept insisting that the police has a case against me and the only way to verify my case was to give them my last 4 digits of my SSN. This is when I hanged up the phone and filed a complaint with the SSA. These people need to be stoped. Literally I barely answer my phone because I don`t know what`s true or fake anymore.
DoShortshanksn…
July 28, 2020
I have gotten 3 calls this morning from 3 different phone numbers saying the same thing regarding social insurance. I didn’t answer the calls and they left messages. I blocked every number then they call from a different number but I don’t answer. This is getting ridiculous.
AA
July 28, 2020
Just receive a miss phone call from Jersey City, NJ. Called back, it direct to a Indian speaker person stated this is S.S. office. the phone number is 5512265305.
Mzzzmia
July 28, 2020
They said some fraudulent things going on with my social security number this the number they called from 18552284889
Nonnie
July 29, 2020
I got a call voice message from 202-931-3418 stating i needed to call the social security office back at this number . Im pretty sure this is not my local social security office phone number how do i send in the recorded message
heatdeath
July 29, 2020
I keep getting calls threatening to cut off my benefits from the number 210-942-2363. They’ve been calling me for around a month.
Mojoeey
July 29, 2020
Just got a call from this number 1-512-489-6162 about fraud on my social security number filed I believe it to be a scam I did not call them back heads up folks
Rowen
July 29, 2020
Have received several calls today from a number 8442085615 .a recording is telling me that there has been unusual activity on my account and I me to the number. If I don't there could be an arrest.
rmpolson
July 30, 2020
I am getting calls daily from someone regarding this at the numbers 423-912-2138 and 423-912-8345. I block them but they call back from another number.
POdinPA
July 30, 2020
Receive a call from (202) 543-4957 Washington DC saying my card was used fraudulently in Texas and will be suspended. Press 1 to resolve this. I hung up, I know better. The phone number actually belongs to a hair salon in Washington. The problem with this type of scam call (I get a lot) is they just use a computer to spoof someone's phone number randomly.
nunzmom
July 30, 2020
I rec'd a SPAM call that my google assistant picked up and transcribed. The number that called is 501 254 7165. Stating "your SS # for fraudulent activities so when you get this message kindly call back at your earliest convenience before we proceed with legal proceedings "
SusanJ
July 30, 2020
I’ve received 2 calls already today from 202-932-6679 threatening to cancel my benefits unless I return their call. Am blocking this number now. Have already reported it to the FTC.
Russ
July 30, 2020
I got a voice mail and they gave a number to call them the number is 1-727-610-9828 I called them and they ask my name then they want the last for numbers of my ss when I told them I wouldn't give it to them unless they told me what it was about they hung up I am most sure it was a scam it was 530 pm
angie
July 30, 2020
I have all-day calls with this number: 208-826-1101
blah
July 30, 2020
This one is make and in full force. I have been getting them a couple times a week
Informn't use …
July 31, 2020
Recvd a call from 973/447-1541 asking me to verify my name and last 4 of my social. They threatened to call local police on me then hung up.
Don't use your…
July 31, 2020
Just A phone call from a number that I didn't recognize. . And then I need to call this number 2106169886 to stop at from canceling my social security number.
Don't use your…
July 31, 2020
I got a call from 816 738 8781 saying there has been fraud with my ss number. Was transferred to Indian guy who sounded like he was in a call center
Loralee224
July 31, 2020
I am receiving automated calls every half hour for weeks. I block them and they come right back with a similar prefix number. The numbers all begin with 218-404-xxxx, just like my own exchange
andiludwolf
July 31, 2020
Just got a call today from 501-254-7305. Called them back and I could tell it was a call center and the man on the line was foreign. He didn't even answer the line properly! He just said, "How can I help you?" When I told him my name he said that he needed my social. I told him NO WAY! That's when he told me there was fraud on my social security account.
LdyLes
July 31, 2020
Same number has been callin me almost every day this week. An officer about my social security number.
Gal5
August 06, 2020

In reply to by LdyLes

if this is on your cell and not a landline, you can block them. I block scammers all the time. Unfortunately, it only takes them a few weeks to start calling from another number.
HailState
August 03, 2020
Just received a call wanting my dependents ssn for application. Is this legit? (I didn't give by the way said they'd call back)
LV Northwest
August 03, 2020
We got 2 female-robo calls within about a week of each other indicating issue with SSN and that a warrant for arrest would be issued if didn't call back....first was Sunday 7/26 after 6am pt for 8143665161...same identical call just today in the afternoon for 2172792188...I've submitted both to SSN.gov and to FTC for investigation (I didn't call back either number).
StayAway
August 04, 2020
I got a call stating my SSN has been compromised and that a lawsuit has been filed against me. They requested I should call them back. Beware!!! Number was (202) 621-0371
MommyTimesTwo
August 04, 2020
I received a call from 210-664-5049 that my Social Security Number was misued in Texas.
C Gordon
August 04, 2020
Got a call today with a recording saying my social security number has fraudulent activity on it and they are moving forward with legal action against me. FAKE CALL. They called from and told me to call back 901-203-2106. I did not call.
Buggsbunny
August 04, 2020
I just got a call said change my SS # has been hacked that it was SS calling 928-846-4899 08/04/2020 @ 2:59p.m.
Mysoultotat
August 04, 2020
This is the voicemail I just got today. I do not answer the phone for unrecognized numbers, especially when it's out of state and I know there's lots of scams and soliciting going on. The department of social security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions filed on your social security number for criminal activities. So when you get this message kindly revert as soon as possible on our number that is 443-329-9038. I repeat 443-329-9038. Before we begin with the legal proceedings. Thank you and have a nice day.
Bsp in tn
August 05, 2020
I recieved a call yesterday and today It was a recording. It said my social security number has been suspended due to fraudulent activity in Texas.It said if I wanted to know more about this case press 1. I hung up the phone The numbers that called were local cell phone numbers I called 1 number back and it had been disconnected. I called the other number back,and a man answered. He said he did not call me, but that was his number on my phone
JACK
August 05, 2020
I have been receiving calls from "SSA" using a local area code number. Beware! Saying I have been involved in fraudulent activity.
AK Washington DC
August 05, 2020
I received a call from +1412 465 1599 asking to call back immediately saying social security administration is instituting legal action against us. I ignored it. This is not the first time we received this call.
JFB
August 05, 2020
We received eight calls on our land line in three hours from Crow’s Landing, CA. Each call left a cut-off message with a different call-back phone number.