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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.

len Worland
October 02, 2020
September 28 I received a call that claimed to be Social Security. The caller ID was Social Security. When I answered, the call was garbled and difficult to understand. When I said that to the caller, they hung up. The number that shows in my record is 800-633-4227. SCAM???
Ida
October 05, 2020
I just received a fake call from # 8648770395 they say that they can get you more money.
careful77
October 06, 2020
I got a call from an 832 516 2172 who said they were with the ss office..I just hung up
p
October 06, 2020
(202)773-2265 from Washington DC scammers number
Anonymous 2076
October 06, 2020
I keep getting harrassment calls from (409)710-9328 late in the after claiming to be social security admin.
Jane1
October 06, 2020
Recieved a call from 5617557956 saying my SSC was going to be discontinued do to some fraudulent activity which' I know there has been none on my part tried to call back says its disconnected when I searched it.Then got another call right after 5617552797
CE Cruse
October 07, 2020
Just received a robocall along the same lines, the phone # they left had a 407 area code which is Orlando, Florida. I don't live in Florida.
J. Lopez
October 07, 2020
im recently had been receiving a lot of calls from that SS scam, they call me all the time with different numbers +1 (631) 855-9130, +1 (631) 855-9796, +1 (631) 855-1607, +1 (631) 855-3150, +1 (631) 855-9126, +1 (631) 855-6741, +1 (631) 855-1169, +1 (631) 855-6211, they call me all the time i blocked every number and they still calling im tired of this
Tom jomed
October 08, 2020
I supposedly received a phone from Security saying that my social security number is being used in Texas that they will cancel my card from number one 619 369 07 for 9 when I told him I need to confirm that this is social security he hung up the phone
AH
October 08, 2020
Just received an automated call from 7628883652 in LaGrange, GA. Sounded like a loud call center. I called back and someone quickly hung up on me.
CReding
October 09, 2020
1 PM and just had my 5th phone call from "Social Security Administration" This is ridiculous.
Cindy
October 09, 2020
I have been getting calls from 732-718-5560, 201-688-2228, 732-750-4160. Can something be done about these scammers?
Diablo2600
October 12, 2020
I just got a call from someone from Social Security fraud division. I knew right away that it was a hoax because when he called me the number was 925-765-4559 which is as number very similar to mine and is listed in a City right next to me. He claimed that my SS number was fraudulently used in Texas for credit cards and bank accounts. He then asked me a bunch of questions. I kept asking for his phone number and quite soon he hung up. I absolutely hate these people trying to take advantage of older people.
dy
October 13, 2020
(470) 250-9126 called me today, saying that my SSN has some suspicious record and ask me to call back. Thought that was a spam.
Woolover
October 13, 2020
2 calls today and both left messages. Each stating my SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity in texas. The area code was the same as mine.
Charlotte NC
October 14, 2020
706 955 6525 got a call today about SSA fraud... I hang up
anonymous
October 14, 2020
Just got a call from 469-920-2880. She gave a case ID, badge ID, name, and asked for my First name, last name, ssn last 4 digits, and bank details (bank name, account type, and approximate amount). Then said an officer from US Marshalls will call shortly. I was skeptic to talk, so asked me to Google a specific person's number on US Marshall's website and assured that the same person will call from that particular number. He called right away, but I could sense that I heard the same background noise as that lady's who was apparently from SSA office (not in the same room as him). I asked him to confirm my details on record to ensure it was a legit call. He got annoyed, started speaking rudely and then hung up.
Yren
October 14, 2020
‭+1 (305) 760-7755‬ North Miami Beach, FL This number is calling me saying that my SSN has been suspended
Antonio92
October 14, 2020
I received a call from this number +1 (484) 604-2226 regarding my SS..
Oksana
October 14, 2020
10/14/2020 at 12:18 E PM got a call from 727-776-3902 as from social security administration.
Scam Report
October 14, 2020
The phone number I received this call was from 720-425-3649 and 210-802-0350. It was exactly like how it was described in the first scenario.
Kim H
October 14, 2020
I received 2 scam calls today telling me that my SS# has been part of fraudulent activity in Maryland. The number given to call them back on is (443) 396-7262.
Taz45redd
October 14, 2020
I've been getting ssi calls telling me my number has been compromised. Do they do that?
Nova
October 15, 2020
Hi just got this phone call threatening me here is the phone number 469-257-4690 this is a scam number be careful there saying there from social security and I've got the block I've got everything on my phone and nothing works I wish they would stop these days on robocalls in scan calls there's no way to block him
Beware all
October 16, 2020
I got a call from 72-605-5537 saying that they are from Dept. of Social security that I have a warrant issued but have to call them for my signature....I did not call and when I tried to call, it was busy and nobody answered the phone. I think this is scam, too.
Gibson
October 16, 2020
Received a Fake SS call at 7:12am on my cell phone it came on with phone number 1-503-805-6869 was a recording suppose it call back about a legal action involving my SS call them back or they would stop mySS
Jojo
October 16, 2020
I received a robocall from (918) 235-4251 stating that my social security number was possibly used for fraudulent reasons and to press 1 to be connected with the next agent. I hung up.
Pnthrzero
October 16, 2020
Gotten 10 calls from 469 257 4793 claiming I have used my SSN in fraudulent credit applications. I do notnhave a credit card and only credit used is to finance my car. Says if I do not return the call that it will result in my arrest. Called them back last night, phone rang 15 times before someone said hello and quickly changed that to SSA how can I help you. Would not give me any id on who I was talking to. If this is real now a days I would have to go through 15 minutes of recordings to get a human. Beware.
RTManTX
October 16, 2020
Beware of a caller from 651-757-9144 that claims to be from the SSA, threatening to permanently block your SS number. They ask to press #1 to speak to their legal dept,(Concerned dept) if you any questions or want to resolve the matter. Robo Caller. The number is out of Minnesota.
trucker.com
October 16, 2020
they keep calling me from this # 606 231 3793
Aj76
October 16, 2020
I got a call from +1 (717) 423-1102 stating that there is going to be legal actions taken for fraudulent activities on my ssn.
Aaa1234
October 16, 2020
I just got a call from 213-378-4406. They called telling me my ssn was suspended due to some bank issues in Texas. I don’t live in Texas and have never been there nor any family lives there. I told them my last four digit of my ssn. I’m really scared what do I do?
David B
October 16, 2020
Got a call, the caller ID said the person's name was Jason Bradley, # (256) 990-2818. It was a recording saying my social was being used by other parties, and I could lose my benefits. Don't know what the recording had to say after that, I hung up.
RunJenrun
October 16, 2020
I just got a call right now from a number in Gardena. 310-365-4800. It was a robo call (a man's voice) saying the same thing. When will it end. Every day!
Aussie
October 16, 2020
I'm in Australia, but got a threatening voicemail msg on my Skype USA number at 3.05 am saying something was wrong with my SS account, asking to call back immediately and give them the last 4 digits of my SS number or face arrest. Definitely a scam! The number they phoned from was +1 469-839-6329.
o2bna10t
October 19, 2020
These people keep leaving messages on my phone! 903-207-8921 out of Gunter, Texas.
LM
October 19, 2020
I am receiving calls saying that my ss will be canceled. The number they called me from is 312-484-1829. I’ve also received calls from other phone numbers saying the same thing
fake callers
October 19, 2020
Got a Robo-call claiming to be Social Security Administration from 619-787-9555. The message was "my benefits were being used in a South Texas town, please press 1 to speak with an officer". I did not press 1 they hung up.
Don't use your…
October 19, 2020
Keep getting calls saying that someone has used my SSN in a crime I know that it's a scam wish there was a way to stop it
Arizona
October 19, 2020
Got a call from this number at 8.32 am today. Claimed Social Security Fraud Investigator +12533191827
Kj
October 20, 2020
I got a call from 678-283-3557 said they were the social security department and they have seen suspicious activity with my number. I just hung up, but I wanted to report it.
Nzaxx
October 20, 2020
I have been getting these calls at least once or twice a week. The calls come from different numbers today's number was 513-407-5412.
Engineer
October 20, 2020
Had three calls in one day from three similar numbers claiming my SS card will be suspended due to suspicious activity in Texas. Always the same male robotic voice never a real person and if I don't pick up they don't leave a voicemail. Here are the numbers below. 973-986-4285 973-986-5768 983-986-6964
Ladybug
October 20, 2020
I have received numerous calls as of lately. If not the IRS it's S.S.office.. I don't answer these calls. They do leave a message. I don't return them. I'm glad to read that this IS a scam. I appreciate the information... But how do they get away with this???
Tuesday
October 20, 2020
Received a call from (440) 269-9346 (maybe the Willoughby, Ohio area)stating SOCIAL SECURITY my account has been compromised. Requested to press "1" to discuss the issue.
TH
October 21, 2020
Robocall received from 8309712671 claiming illegal suspicious activity and request for immediate callback.
EJ
October 21, 2020
I received a call from 404-604-5331 - an agent Richard Johnson, I feel like this was not the name he gave when he first got on the line when I asked him to repeat it he gave that one. He wanted my name to pull up a file. I said I would go to the SSA office and handle any issues and hung up. This is very frustrating.
Carol F - Cali…
October 21, 2020
Have received multiple calls with this same scam. Have received these - sometimes twice a day between 10/14 to 10/21. All phone numbers begin with 415-519: 415-519-1148 415-519-1151 415-519-1827 415-519-2876 415-519-6223 415-519-6072 415-519-6134 Clearly working their way through #s available in an area code in CA
Nyx Orelius
October 21, 2020
I just got one from 1 512-817-552
What the HELL
November 01, 2020
I have received so many calls stating my SSN has been used in fraudulent activity and I needed to speak with the officer immediately. First time I gave them the last 4 of my social but then it just sounded fishy so I hung up. I get these same recorded message from different numbers in different states and when I call back they have the same recorded voice. I'm going to mess with them when I get someone on the phone again. Here's the numbers but they never call from the same. 575-219-3483 new Mexico, 643-335-6665 Ohio, 601-780-4858 Mississippi, 605-205-6066 south Dakota