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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.
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Aggravated
May 23, 2019
I received a call on 5-21 from #833-264-2915 and another call today 5-23 from 201-701-9430. Both left messages. The first one saying my SS# was going to be suspended and the other saying fraud activity was showing against my SS#. Knew it was a fraud so i just ignored them. Didn't call back. The Government needs to put a stop to this now. These robo calls need to be stopped.
john
May 23, 2019
9177409216,the ssa fraud!!!
titas
May 23, 2019
they are using 18662647430 beware
Pretty lady 19…
May 23, 2019
I was just called from one of those scammers but I didn't answer the phone it went to my voicemail about my social security number being suspended
Hac_38
May 23, 2019
I have received 3 messages from them today. How do I stop this?
calmuziclover
May 23, 2019
Got a robo call from (858) 816-1576 instructing me to stay on the line to speak to someone. I did so in order to get more info into the scammer. He had a thick accent (possibly Indian?), told me my SS # had been compromised and there was a warrant out for my arrest. I asked him who gave him this info and he said he was from SS Admin, Long Beach Office. I did not answer any of his questions but got him to read off a former address of mine to me. He asked for last for of my social which I refused to give to him. He asked if I had any bank accounts and when I said I don't give that info out over the phone, he hung up. When I tried to call his phone # back using an unlisted landline, I got a recorded message saying that the # was no longer valid.
Adeluca658
May 13, 2020

In reply to by calmuziclover

I got the same call from a guy with thick bengali accent too and he told me had a warrant then he asked if my address was ????????? Address was wrong but the city and state he got right the only reason I believed him was because got a minor misdemeanor warrant from that state then I remembered no state in the U.S. extradites for misdemeanor warrants so I hung up
Eric D.
May 23, 2019
I too just got a phone call from 800-325-0778 saying my social is being shut off and investigated. I hung up, then they called back again. I think I should call them and give them my info..... of course I kid, but jeez these scammers get desperate.
LOS ANGELES, CA.
May 23, 2019
WATCH OUT FOR THIS NUMBER OFF YOU LOVE IN L.A. COUNTY 858 816 1624
luvdogs1
May 23, 2019
I received a phone call from a scammer # 985-242-0532 stating the following: "This call is from the Department of social security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your social security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one...thank you"
contacted
May 23, 2019
I received a call from 1-985-272-6732. stating the same information and requesting that I press #1 for more information.
M
May 23, 2019
what if the ssn scam caller gets your name either first or last
M Partoza
May 23, 2019
I received a phone call today 5/23/2019 - from 916-546-2040 -I called them they confirmed their address is at Folsom - yes they give you a legitimate address. Since I do work for the State of CA, the first red flag was it was easy to call them - yes I did played along with them confirmed portion of my SSA number and address but not my cell phone number - they can see that i'm calling from a state land line phone - I confronted the person and told him since you're filing criminally against me - I will just go to my local SSA office and have them serve me - I also told them I do have a lawyer they're welcome to call my lawyer - They said that the SSA offices does not know about the CRIMINAL CHARGES - I told him - sir I'm a government worker you think I don't know the procedures? WHY would you THE FEDERAL GOV will not KNOW what the charges are ANYWHERE IN THE US? So he did not respond - I also asked him WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME FROM SACRAMENTO WHEN I LIVE IN THE BAY AREA? I'M JUST SO TIRED of this people calling me day in and day out threatening me. WHEN THEY ASK if they're on recorded line say NO - but record them anyway - they ask if they're on speaker phone SAY NO but put them on speaker ANYWAY. GET YOUR EVIDENCE. Do not give them any information - remember FEDERAL government will not "CALL YOU" they will either COME TO YOU or SEND YOU A LETTER with a FILE NUMBER/CASE NUMBER - REMEMBER MONEY MEANS IRS - they ARE the only one that can GARNISH or TAKE YOUR MONEY FROM THE BANK -banks are UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (FDIC). DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY ACCOUNT NUMBER, CREDIT CARD NUMBER, GIFT CARDS - DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEM. Is the most important thing.
Wish we had so…
May 23, 2019
Just received a call from texas that my ssn was suspended. To press 1 to be connect to an operator. Middle Eastern man answered and said "Social security office" I laughed and he hung up. I called the number back and it was disconnected.
DD8
March 14, 2020

In reply to by Wish we had so…

That's like the one we got this past week on or after March 8, 2020. Robo call said, In South Texas, Your social Security number has been used in fraudulent activity, To talk to law enforcement officer press 1, I hung up at that point
Weary of Scams
May 23, 2019
Scam robo call from Montevideo, MN. (320) 321-6010.
tea
May 23, 2019
05/23/2019 got a call from 988-752-6732 and let it go to voicemail. Robo call message was from the "departmant of social security" and to press 1 for more info. It said that my SSN was supended due to suspicious activity.....
Westsandy
May 23, 2019
Just received a call saying that there is "criminal" activity associated with my social sec. Number??? Baloney and a scam.
Selena365
May 23, 2019
I have received 7 calls today -- probably will receive more. I don't answer - it goes to voicemail. The numbers are: 858-816-1619, 858-816-1623, 858-816-1632, 858-816-1639, 858-816-1643, and 858-1651. Block apparently doesn't help since they keep calling.
Annoyed
May 23, 2019
Just received a call stating my social security has been suspended from number 408-230-1671 Which made me nervous as I’m about to travel outside of the country
Washington State
May 23, 2019
Call came from number 408-766-3911; voicemail: there is currently a court order being filed to stop all activity on your social security number, please contact Commonwealth immediately at 844-340-8141. It repeats in Spanish. Google searching “Commonwealth” and the 844- number it have yielded no results, however the incoming number brought me here.
Smlo1234
May 31, 2019

In reply to by Washington State

I received the exact same message did you ever figure out what this was about?
Seminary Guy
June 28, 2019

In reply to by Washington State

Just received this from a number in Washington State, the Davenport area (509) 348-2720. Stated that I need to contact Commonwealth right away at 844-340-8141. Just like Washington State said, it repeats in Spanish, as well as stating that a court order has been filed against my social security number.
Vic 52019
May 24, 2019
5/20/2019 Received 4 calls same day regarding my social security been suspended because of suspicious activity. Calling from different phone numbers: (888) 815-1753, 1737,1733 & 1722 same male robotic voice. these messages left in my voicemail.
one guy
May 24, 2019
1(817) 385-6442 (Arlington, TX) 1(469) 242-3640 ( Iving, TX) received voicemails from these numbers, both in a robotic female voice, threatening to freeze my bank account, suspend my SSN, and “get me arrested” lmao
GT
May 24, 2019
Have received multiple calls from different numbers in only 2 days for the Social Security scam. So frustrating trying to run a business while also having to screen these calls again and again. Yesterday, I received calls from (858) 816-1615, (858) 816-1612, (858) 816-1620. Today (so far) I've received 2 calls only 15 minutes apart from (858) 816-1672. This is straight up harassment that goes well beyond an illegal scam.
Don't Ben
May 24, 2019
I just got a call from (415) 578 - 7209. It is a California number. When i called back, it says "You have reached a number that has not been set up to recieve calls."
Tbone 1949
November 01, 2019

In reply to by Don't Ben

I got the same call, almost the same voice message...they make it sound REAL urgent, like: " we need to hear from you right away"..BUT --if it was the Real SS office, are we really 'sposed to be so gullible that we would BELIEVE that they " are not set up to receive messages "? I don't THINK So !! TOtal scam !!
scam calls all week
May 24, 2019
I have received at least one call every day this week from a robot voice saying there has been fraudulent activity on my social security number demanding that I call back myself or with my criminal attorney before the statehouse is contacted. The number is 833-295-2833. I called back and it is clearly not social security, it sounds like it is coming from a call center with a foreign man's voice. When I told him he was not with social security and stop calling me or I would contact the police he hung up. Hopefully they stop calling me!
Toni
May 24, 2019
A caller left a partial message that said, "So once you get this message kindly call us back as soon as possible on our number before we begin with the legal proceedings against you that is 410-609-4665. I repeat 410-609-4665." This was also a digitized voice, not a real voice. When I called, they answered "Social Security Administration...". I hung up. My phone ID showed this number to be from Brooklyn, MD. The call was made May 24, 2019 at 9:40 AM. I blocked the number.
Sonj
May 24, 2019
I just received one of these phone calls from 361-488-6181.
Commadore
May 24, 2019
I just got a call from 800-609-4587 voicemail saying call back before they start legal proceedings, I called the number back from a landline and they asked for last 4 of ss# I asked who this was response was social security office, I asked to speak with someone else and he gave me the ss number 800-772-1213 and hung up, Dunno
xtina
May 24, 2019
Phone number 9725918196 Some non English speaking person gave my last name from 15 years ago. I laughed and said that person doesn't exist. They got mad and hung up on me.
New Jersey
May 24, 2019
I received a call from 18000133213 stating my SS# was compromised and it was suspended. It was from a robo voice and then they hung up. I called the number back and it was disconnected.
Ozzallos
May 24, 2019
I just received this call from phone number 910-160-7025, it was tagged as "scam likely" by my cellphone provider, it went to voicemail.
KJEAN
May 24, 2019
I have also received this call multiple times this week, I keep blocking but then the same number is able to call
karebear13
May 24, 2019
I didn't start receiving these scam robo calls until after I signed up for an account on the social security website last night! today I have received 5 so far from 2 different numbers in less than an hour and they all leave the same msg. "...notice we have received against your social security number by the federal crime and investigation department. we need to talk to you as soon as possible. again this call is from social security administration." The numbers were 620-244-4133 and 859-756-4498.
briar-rabbit
May 24, 2019
similar script, fraudulent activity related to your ss#, you need to call us immediately. the number they call from / suggest to call back is +1 (833) 295-5572.
Murphy12
May 24, 2019
Another scam number 800-609-4587 - claiming will take action if a call is not received back to them. Its a scam - claiming to be social security this time. Will it ever stop...
JD Smith
May 24, 2019
I just received a call .... Indian accent. I (unfortunately) gave him my last 4 digits of my SSN before I figured out it was a scam. Did I give him too much info? I'm pretty worried now.
Syracuse
May 24, 2019
Just got a similar call from TX but it was a women's voice on a wireless # 254-652-3256
Juan
May 24, 2019
I just received another scam call with the following phone number: 1-858-788-1121 It was a recording about my SSN being suspend for suspicious activity. Obviously, this is not the number to the social security administration. Be careful.
robsareli
May 24, 2019
I just recieved a supicious call from phone number 805-244-6524
Cecilia
May 24, 2019
I received the following calls: 858-788-1113 (8:55 and 8:56am) 858-788-1115 (10:18am) 858-788-1118 (12:24pm) 858-788-1121 (1:34pm) I finally answered the last call and pressed #1. It's obvious the call center is overseas. The "agent" hung up on me when I asked to speak to his supervisor (I didn't give him any info, he was being aggressive and frankly, an a-hole).
Sheri
May 28, 2019
This is my 3rd call, automated message from the Ssa saying fraudulent activity. I called the number..Indian lady, I said I need you to verify this is the SSA, she hung up. I called back..3 times I was hung up on. 4th call back I said I'm not verifying who I am without verification from you, you've hung up on me 3 times, connect me with your supervisor, 5 minute wait then another woman.. mind you these are all foreigners...she said an abandoned car found in west Texas, (I'm from Chicago) has MY DNA aand blood in it, I am going to be arrested..I said since when does the SOCIAL SECURITY ADMIN call someone about cars and blood..she threatened me with arrest again and I then said COME ON OVER....she hung up. Ridiculous..well..I just got ANOTHER voicemail....833.300.4825. How do I stop these??
Vette59
October 30, 2020

In reply to by Sheri

Exact same thing happened to me !!! Never been so discussed before in my life!!! Get a job!!!!
SunnyAZ
May 26, 2019
Received a robo call from a Houston, TX number, 282-856-7485. Message stated the Department of Social Security Administration was calling to suspend my social security number, due to suspicious activity.
Concerned for …
May 28, 2019
I received a call today on Memorial Day stating that my SSN was being suspended and that I can press 1 for more info. Tel# 858-788-1190 is what showed on my caller ID I did not press 1 I hung up
Raj
May 28, 2019
I and my wife received a call from +1 410 213 3008 telling us our SSN is suspended due to certain fraud/violation and contact them immediately for more info. I reported it to OIG/SSA online. Hope they trace the caller.!