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Earlier this month, we told you about a growing scam: people pretend to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and try to get your Social Security number or your money. That scam is now growing exponentially. To compare: in 2017, we heard from 3,200 people about SSA imposter scams, and those people reported losing nearly $210,000. So far THIS year: more than 35,000 people have reported the scam, and they tell us they’ve lost $10 million.

Here’s what one of those scam calls sound like:

Scammers are saying your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. Sometimes, he’ll say your bank account is about to be seized – but he’ll tell you what to do to keep it safe. (Often, that involves putting your money on gift cards and giving him the codes – which, of course, means that your money is gone.)

Oh, and your caller ID often shows the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) when these scammers call – but they’re faking that number. It’s not the real SSA calling.

Here's what to know:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. You don’t have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
  • SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.
  • The real SSA number is 1-800-772-1213, but scammers are putting that number in the caller ID. If you’re worried about what the caller says, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA. Even if the wait time is long, confirm with the real SSA before responding to one of these calls.
  • Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.

If you get one of these calls, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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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.
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  • 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.

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Judith
July 23, 2020
I love "if you don't get back to us, we will have to GET you arrested." lol At least use proper sentence structure if you are going to be a successful scam artist. Got a call today from this number, but they didn't leave a message. July 23, 2020.
PRB
July 23, 2020
I get a call from 210 413 6798 saying that is social security to suspend the service, be aware it is a scam
Harry Mudd
July 23, 2020
I received one of these calls today on my Sprint cell phone. So I Googled it, even though I figured it was a scam. What really concerns me is that this thread is over 2 years old. Seems like one agency or another should have been able to make some progress on this issue over that length of time. I understand that the offenders are probably over seas, but still with technology as advanced as it is, seems like there ought to be something that could be done to stop them, if not catch and prosecute them.
Just Joan
July 23, 2020
Just received a message on my cell phone that says same exact thing. Number left to call 910-294-8445. Unreal this even exists...
From Ontario Canada
July 23, 2020
Just received a call from 800 510 1002 very similar to this recording.
Tlw81
July 23, 2020
Received a call from this number ‭+1 (206) 169-3494‬ but missed the call itself. Voicemail was automated and a female voice. It didn’t record very well but the pats I was able to catch said something about a criminal offense and a federal investigation. This is the first call I have ever received. Hope it’s the last.
Taurus
July 24, 2020
I got a call like this 2 weeks ago and today I got a call saying they've got an arrest warrent the number they used is 630 903 2542.
SR't use your …
July 24, 2020
Just got this auto message about SS fraud... 949-350-9956
SR
July 24, 2020
Just got this auto message about SS fraud... 949-350-9956
Rob j
July 24, 2020
Received this call from this # +17014025260
Sara lee
July 24, 2020
I got 2 calls today , different umbers saying my social security number is being suspended. Press 1 for more information.
scam numbers s…
July 24, 2020
Every scam number should be investigated and shut down from further use. Several phone numbers are used over and over again and our government has the ability to shut these down but aren't doing so. Another one that needs to be shut down is 559-260-2114
Bertster
July 24, 2020
I have received these calls today; two from 833-703-0251, one from 866-898-7862 both stating my SSN was being used in nefarious activity and it was going to be suspended and I was subject to arrest. I have blocked both these numbers on my phone. Worse, it is an automated voiceover! Sheesh.....
Loveperson72
July 24, 2020
My wife received a call yesterday saying that they found 17 bank accounts in her name and 12 credit cards as well. These were all found in an abandoned rented car in texas with blood stains and residue on it. They proceeded to tell her that later was found 22 pounds of cocaine all in her name. They said there was a warrant out for her arrest in Texas. They were so reassuring and seemed helpful. They made her put all of her money on gift cards and she ended up giving them the access code. They said we needed to get all our money out because they were going to freeze her accounts and SSN. So we were idiots and did it. These people were SO good. But don't fall for it! Today we checked the balances and all the balances on the gift cards were $0.00. We lost $2500. And this is the worst time for it to happen. My wife recently lost her job due to covid and that was what we had saved up to help me pay the bills. PLEASE DONT FALL FOR THE SCAM. If you already have, make a police report. Call the retailer of the gift card. Call your bank. If they have you SSN, call the social security administration and let them know that they have you SSN, birthday, and address if they have that too.
Yael
September 02, 2020

In reply to by Loveperson72

I got the same call. It was very believable. The thing that gave it away is that I don't have a SSN and once I told them they didn't know how to proceed but tried to anyway and kept asking me for it. Once they started asking me for my bank account details I just hung up.
Orange blossom
July 25, 2020
I got this text message saying I have received some very important documents that you need to call me about these are very important documents please call back at this number 1-877-643-1227 ,,, just letting you know it’s a fraud ,,,
Martin
July 25, 2020
‭+1 (443) 384-1735‬ SCAM! just received a call today.
ViperQueen37
July 27, 2020
I have had similar calls. The most recent have been a female voice saying there is Fraudulent activity with my Social Security number and that I am to press one they don’t give me a phone number to call back. This has been a couple times this past week but they’ve called me.
MrFriiy
July 27, 2020
Got one today
Tony
July 27, 2020
Watch out for this SPAM Texas number: 281-784-7066 It starts stating that SSA has issued a warrant for your arrest, and unless you cooperate and give what they want you'll be arrested on site.
Cynthia B
July 27, 2020
I received a vm from soc sec number saying that I had a legal matter concerning my soc sec number and that I am going to get arrested so I must return the call as soon as possible! I called the phone number and they said they need for me to give my them my soc sec number and address to verify ! I told them this was a scam and I am reporting them to the fed's they promptly hung up!
Newdoge
July 27, 2020
I was just playing a mobile game then all of a sudden i get a call from a number that i dont recognize i answear and it immedietly talks about my ssn i listened for a little longer but bothing important happened so i hung up
Pancho12
July 27, 2020
I received several calls from 1-214-326-1372 I finally answered and the person said my SSN was going to be suspended for fraudulent activity. I asked who I was speaking with and the lady said she was an officer. She started asking me some other questions and I interrupted her and asked her Officer of WHAT? I also asked her if there were issues with my SSN how come I have not received an official letter from the SS administration office. I told her if she wanted any of my personal information me to come knock on my door and ask for it in person if in fact she is an "officer". Long story short the scammer hung up on me after i started raising my vice and calling her out on what seemed to a scam. Sick and tired of LAZY free loaders trying to scam the system, hard working taxpayers and the elderly...Do these idiots ever get caught and punished?
Mouse
July 27, 2020
They're using a new number and recording 619-324-4248
scammer troll
July 27, 2020
Got the same call but from 512 450 5711. I did press one to troll them a bit. They had my first and last and of course I did not provide anything myself. They hung up as soon as I started asking questions. Based on the first and last the person provided ( I have 4 words in my name and it's often mispelled), it looks like the leak of the name and the cell number was from spectrum
Jonny Deep In.
July 27, 2020
Yea talk about a flying pest that scares threatening to bite. That recorded message I caught to talk to one on the phone. Bank fraud, federal warrant etc. When I said what you mean I don't have a bank account. I'm broke, homeless, fly signs on the street corner for $ Next thing I hear is CLICK....... Hello? Hello? Hello? And hung up. Hopefully no more calls from the pests.
kd
July 27, 2020
I get called at least 2-3 times daily on my work phone number that is not even connected directly to my name telling me that my social security number has been compromised, I never answer anymore I usually just hang up and block the number, but they are persistent and somehow just get past the block and call again. We just have to continually be diligent and keep 2 steps a head of the thief's.
moneypenny
July 28, 2020
7/28/20=Got a call today from this number 806-599-4587 ID "Traveller" threatening my SSS # and criminal punishment. This is so frustrating and sad that the elderly are being targeted. Wish something can be done about it.
kg
July 28, 2020
this number just called same message 361-217-3787..a scam social security scam
FL
July 28, 2020
Just got a call from 540 567 7936 trying to "update" my medicare info to their "new" system. They have your name and address but need to know when it was activated and what the "number" is. They say they have it but want you to read it. I said if you have it you read it to me! hung up! BEWARE!
Jim
July 28, 2020
Just got a call that said... Before we activate your arrest warrant please call back on same number to resolve this case file I repeat call back on same number to talk to Social Security office to resolve this issue right now thank you…” It’s all garbage.
Joe
July 28, 2020
I gat the same call and the number was 1(833)543-0408
CeciliaVC
July 28, 2020
received a millions of calls from 908 937 2116. Listened to him I asked a phone number to call them back and they cut the call. Gave me this info ID 02840195 DMC701089
Jim from Dayton Ohio
July 28, 2020
I was just called today from 1-530-618-8108. A robotic voice told me that fraudulent activity was noted on my social security account and that I needed to call immediately so that they could halt the action. I have blocked this number on my mobile phone.
dhesha
July 28, 2020
This message is from +1 650 892 99452, they left a voicemail which indicates below: This message is to inform you that SSA and legal enforcement agency is filling a legal words against your name and your social security number for fraudulent activities and arrest warrant has also been issued on your name for money laundering and the investigative team of our department is investigating you and your family to get more information about your arrest warrant case file from United States government give me a call press one for more information before we download your case into the courthouse thank you and press one now.
Dan
July 28, 2020
The scam is still going strong: three times in two day from #1-800-425-6043
dog gone it
July 28, 2020
866 290 1906 scam
Sharif062
July 28, 2020
I got this kind of call from 3365399988 today.
Shelley
July 28, 2020
I just received this call. I did not engage and hung up and immediately checked the web to see if there was a scam. Thanks for having this posted.
Tasha
July 28, 2020
I just received the same voice recording as the one above. I pressed one and when someone came on I asked for the address of the company, they hung up of course. This is the number they used: 469-920-4176
PanggaJ
July 28, 2020
I got a call fro 805-309-6019 and said they are from Social Security Administration California, but I doubt it.
Robin
July 28, 2020
I got a call from this number 716-803-4432 with this recording.
Pepe
July 28, 2020
888-774-2391 , same thing. press one to speak to federal agents and correct this criminal activity with your social security number.
Cindy
July 29, 2020
Just received a call and wanted to post the number, I answered the cal and then called them back. She stated they are from the social security office, I asked where she was located and she stated TX. I informed her that i was reporting as this is a scam. She disconnected the call. Here's the number that called me. 956-304-1230
anonymous
July 29, 2020
I received a call from 202-932-5281 stating there were flagellant activities concerning my social security number. I denied the call because I did not recognize the number. Different numbers have called from time to time stating that they were going to lock or suspend my social security number, but this is the first call I received about flagellant activate. I always end the call immediately and tell as many people as I can about this spam call.
Elm2345
July 29, 2020
Have received several calls over the last month regarding suspicious activity regarding my social security number having fraud activity and will need to face court proceedings. I have since reported these incidents to the FTC on many occasions also receiving numerous of unwanted ROBOCALLS from 256-509-6711
Babygirl81
July 29, 2020
4014957279 This number along with 6 or 7 other numbers have been call me from an Indian call center. The request all your information (which I've NEVER given) claiming that they already have it..
workingathome
July 29, 2020
956-492-6703, 956-492-7890, 956-492-9272, and 956-492-2743 have all called and it is a recorded message that my social security number is in jeopardy. I hang up.
Anastasia
July 29, 2020
I just got the same call from 682 556 9539. How can I report them?
Geppie
July 29, 2020
I received a call today, saying the social security dept has a lawsuit against me and has issued an arrest warrant for me. I just hung up.