Skip to main content

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.

Search Terms

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

Irvi
March 08, 2021

In reply to by Nay

The same thing happened to me but I gave them my last 4 digits of my ssn
josh c
December 10, 2020
I keep getting those phony calls but the thing is they have my full name. How serious is that?
Rhonda_Reindeer
December 11, 2020
Just received a call from 1-476-953-1805. It appears to be a Social Security scam artist at work. Automated voice asks me to press “1” to speak to a social security officer as my number has been “suspended “ with criminal action pending. It’s scary to hear but I don’t believe it.
vigilant citizen
December 11, 2020
just received a scam call from +1 201 486 4434 they stated that someone is using my social security fraudulently a nd my social will be canceled by the end of the day, the woman on the phone had an indian accent.
Roy
December 11, 2020
I got a call just now from 5166622472. They insisted that they're calling from El Paso TX with a drug and money laundering case against me! (Never been to El Paso!!) And that they're immediately blocking my SSN. Asked for my Area code and last 4 of social. I said I'll call the social security office directly and he hung up!
Don't use your…
December 11, 2020
I've recieved 2 calls today from 915-268-0373 in Austin Texas. Says my Social Security Benifits are being stopped. Fake scam!! Beware!
AshleyW
December 11, 2020
I just received a voicemail from 762-224-1920 saying they were the social security administration and my SSN was showing fraud activity.
Toast
December 11, 2020
Just got this exact scam call from 608-659-4110 .
Don't use your…
December 12, 2020
They just wanted birthday and address. Then gave me this number to call, 202-643-5023. Supposed to be callback number for senior account officer on grants. Gave me I. D. Nw027.When I called it, it said google customer could not take call at this time.. the number that said his name was nicholas woods
Don't usfelina…
December 14, 2020
They just called from a Delaware number(302)229-4079,I called it back,and it was a man's cell phone.
Concerned Caller
December 14, 2020
I got a call today about suspicious activity and suspending my benefits. Last year, I had someone get ahold of my number in January and try to collect my benefits through a change of address before. Called the right social security telephone number. Answered all the questions, listened to the information about privacy, asked to speak to an agent, they asked for my SSN to get to the right office and then I was transferred three times and the phone went silent and after 30 secs it rang twice, etc repeated about four times. Kind of scary as no music or voice, just transfers which made me worried that SS line is now spoofed or scammed or whatever. Never did connect.
Jambo
December 14, 2020
He said my Social Security Number got suspended. I provided for him my 4 last digits of my SSN, my first name and last name. He said I had some deal and in Texas I went there. He asked me that I have some deal with Mexico and Colombia with money. They keep calling me every moment with these phone numbers from San Juan Capistrano, CA: 949-940-7603, 949-940-5001, 949-940-4027, 949-940-7885, 949-940-1345, 949-940-6697.
Pittsburgh 20
December 15, 2020
Received a similar scam voicemail from 361-865-6839
Calif12-Don't …
December 15, 2020
12-15-2020. Call from someone claiming to be social security, to suspend my social security number. Call from 1-209)557-7181.
didn't get fooled
December 15, 2020
Got a recorded call at work this morning, claiming my SSN was used near the southern border of Texas. Remembered hearing that Social Security doesn't call you and didn't think they had my work number, so I hung up and looked on this site, which is a great resource for any questions like that. Better be safe than sorry. Those scammers can be pretty believable!
John
December 15, 2020
Hello, Beware of this phone number: +1 210 664 8136, they will say that they are from SSA and that your SSN will be disabled. After I've asked for more details they hang up. S
Muhlyssah74
December 16, 2020
Just got another scam call stating my SS# will be frozen ect ect...today was from a GA # and couple weeks ago was a # in the midwest and I blocked that #. Today the # is +1 (470) 529-1577 so beware. Im so over all of this...trying to pray on is when we are in a pandemic.
Watson6
December 16, 2020
It happened to me the exact same situation that you describe above yesterday evening. This is my first time traveling to the US and I was not aware that these types of situation could happen so often. Their story looked so real and I got scared. They have the last four digits of my social security number but they don't have my bank account number or my card number. and so, no money from me. I tried to reach out my bank to tell them what happened to me but I couldn't directly reach them out. However, I don't remember the phone number they used. I think it started by 700 but I'm not sure, I was so shocked. Hope my comment helps a little bit.
jose
December 16, 2020
received a call, that I will be arrested if I don't answer them, number was 212-740-1409, so look out for these con people.
Jared
December 16, 2020
I've had 2 calls so far this week-automated message-this is the department of social security-it is not! I have the SSA # in my phone!
SM234
December 16, 2020
Received a call from 1-409-403-3619. Beware. Social security scam. Claims there is a complaint against your social security. If you call the number someone with an accent answers saying "social security administration". It is a scammer.
ccheney
December 16, 2020
I just got a call from 281-576-5578. Told me they were SS. Asked me to verify my name. I told them they called me and should have that info. She gave me this spill and I countered with I know the SSA will never (ever) call me for any reason and she got angry and I told her I knew it was a scam and not comfortable giving her my info and was told that then I needed to file a report with the SSA stating I refused to give my info because I was uncomfortable and hung up.
Xnikkigrlx
December 17, 2020
I received a phone call from ssa yesterday saying my social security number was used for identity theft and that I need to call them back and speak to someone. So I tried calling the number back off of a different phone and now it’s saying the phone number is unavailable!!! But I will put the number in this. If you receive a call from this number in Georgia please don’t answer (678) 330-2221.. scam scam scam be aware!!!!
Big D
December 17, 2020
I am in MN, received call from 919-887-2610. When asked questions, they hung up.
Spouse 1
December 18, 2020
They are using a 732-890-6285 number coming out of Freehold,NJ. telling me that my SSN is being suspended n click on 1 for more info n when I do they hang up.
sam1252
December 22, 2020
Hi I just got a call about my social security number being used as a fraud case in Texas, to be clear. I have never been outside of the Dallas Airport, which was just for a layover. So I have no clue how I would have committed Social Security Fraud while in the state
Don't use your…
December 28, 2020
I got a call from 620 311 0636 saying there's suspicious activity with my ss number, the guys name is Andrew badge number 23j573 case number ddr701089 regarding cases international and in Texas, case someone help me?
Bayleif
December 29, 2020
I received several calls from 855-369-5447 - Manuela Haddad about my internet application for retirement. Is this a scam?
Olivia
December 31, 2020
Calls from 800-936-3000 were suspicious at first. But I later verified with SSA via 800-772-1213 that the number was a legitimate field office rep handling SSA/Disability applications originating from online/internet applications.
Cute_Tease
January 04, 2021
I recieved a message from 425-528-9471 saying my number is getting used fraudulent. Thru left a message on my VM. I wouldn't dare call it back. Social Security will reach your by mail is they have an issue regarding your social security number
David W.
January 05, 2021
Received a pre-recorded phone call from 310-864-5941 stating that my Social Security benefits were being withheld due to fraud, and pending legal action could result. Totally false of course.
Shemecca Jean
January 06, 2021
I personally know if someone is threatening me for my vet card information by texting this number
RickW-KS
January 07, 2021
Two calls in the last 2 days from Alpine CA. First one was 619-566-7843. Second one was 619-369-2405. In both cases the record voice said they were from the Social Security Administration and that there was fraud reported on my SSN and they would begin legal proceedings if I did not call them back right away.
Princess 10199131
January 08, 2021
the number they use is 585 536 0324 name of person Scott Franco
kaycee
January 08, 2021
I just got a call from 910 422 1336 which list it Rowland,NC about my SS number being suspended due to a suspicious activity on my ss number in Texas I blocked that number
vrunner1
January 11, 2021
I just got a call from social security telling me that my social security card has been compromised I just been following day I got another phone call telling me that I'm being sued for my something they don't ask me for my social security number that's what they're telling me
wdenoon
January 11, 2021
I just got a call from social security saying that there is legal activity on my SS number and to call them back immediately. Is this a scam?
FraudKarmaMan
January 12, 2021
Yeah apparently computers make it easy for these scammers to use ANY phone number to appear in the caller id including the actual number of the SSA. Or any other number of business or personal. If you call the number back you will find the owner of that number completely oblivious to your accusations of a scam call from their number that they in fact did not make and were merely the unwitting victim of having their number used as a phony call back id that the scammer to used to get you on the initial call .
jgeorgia186
January 12, 2021
And the phone number is 9016903345 and they was calling from SSA and it is a arrest warrant on me
J.s.Duran
January 12, 2021
619-502-6405 just called me telling my my social security has suspicious activity, threatening to lose my benefits, threatened to jail me, it was from a call center. Very upsetting.
kathleen
January 13, 2021
I gotten 5 calls today stating to get ahold of the same investorgator from these numbers 234-3208 234-6534 636-234-7384 Roberta Hull 636-2341672and 6362341907 I hope u get them this is terrible to be doing
SGM
January 14, 2021
Received a call from 740-218-3795, voice says is very important that I call SS asap! that my social security number has been flagged.
Jacqver
January 14, 2021
+1 (832) 643-2079 Got scam call from ^
Jodi N
January 19, 2021
I received a call today, 1/19/2021 from 719-372-3927 out of Penrose, CO. I do not live in Colorado. It stated that my SSN has been compromised and to press 1 to be connected to a specialist for assistance. The voice was very robotic with a terrible accent. I hung immediately. Called the number back and it is an appointment line for a physician's office located in Penrose, Colorado. I blocked the number and called the SSA to report - but was hung up on while waiting on a representative. Figured I would at least share on here, since this is the second call like this from a CO number this month.
heathercrowe07…
January 20, 2021
Got a call from 912-314-8282 saying they were from ssa suspending my SSN and each day I get a call from a different number saying the same thing
Martha G Atlanta GA
January 20, 2021
Just received recorded call from 678-787-0020 showing Atlanta Northeast GA that state my SSN was being suspended due to fraud. Hung up and Promptly blocked number. Be aware.
LMART7
January 20, 2021
Received a robo call stating they were suspending my SSN due to suspicious activity, then press one for activity. I hung up, 1-207-499-9441, Lyman, ME.
Lena
January 22, 2021
Orange County N 562-260-0797 called my house phone prerecorded msg saying they suspended my social security benefits??? Smh...
92 year old Charles
January 22, 2021
got a scam call from 1-609-395-8332, saying there was illegal use of my Social Security number, and if I didn't answer to one of their agents, they will cancel my social security, the voice was foreign. I never answered the message
amber price
January 22, 2021
they called from a private number... back to back and when it answered, it was a recording stating I have my son suspended and this was a decision made by the ss admin security dept. And to press 1 yo talk with a security officer from investigations dept..but if I do not do anything there could be consequences for me. We