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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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Social Security Impersonators

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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.

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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
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mburns
July 26, 2019

In reply to by Do Something!

sadly, it doesnt matter when you block the number that called you, they simply call from another number.
mandrusha
July 15, 2019
They called me from number 1 (888) 937-360 and 1 (888) 191-551. Strange numbers, without last digit. Just curious if government do something with these people.. Why we don't have any law about scam phone calls? This is annoying.
Jesswil
July 15, 2019
Got that call. Asked for my name. I gave it to them but wasn’t gonna give any other info. Once I said my name they hung up and now the phone is disconnected. I didn’t give them any other info but now I feel my name was all they needed. I hope I’m ok.
Maine
July 15, 2019
I just got a call from a 800-060-1941 but my Spam detector got it. But they left a msg. Anyway
TREE
July 15, 2019
Just got a call on cell saying my SS is suspended from 888722815. Answered it. Ended call as soon as a recorded message said "your social security number has been suspended."
paige
July 15, 2019
I got one over the weekend. Left message from a Wash DC number 202-239-7856.
sulochana.nand…
July 15, 2019
I got call from this number 800 054 9201. Can anyone please confirm is it social security number
Helen
July 23, 2019

In reply to by sulochana.nand…

Social Security Administration will write a letter and NOT call you . Block and disregard these types of scams. Use your common sense and info given here by others not to respond to anyone asking for any part of your SSAN or other personal information they could use to scam you and NEVER give your home or mailing address to them. If u have questions, you call the SSecutity Ofc yourself. Locals nrs are in old ph books and you can always "Google it".
Gettingharassed
July 15, 2019
I got a call from this number +12074052756 saying my social security number will be suspended and I needed to call them back as soon as possible.
BobandWanda
July 15, 2019
I just got a call from them saying my Social Security number was used in a crime, and the police have suspended it , but they'll give me a new one... They just need me to verify my current SS#.
Smile L.
July 15, 2019
I’ve been receiving a phone call from Millersburg Ohio with these numbers ‭+1 (330) 449-0776‬, ‭+1 (330) 449-0003‬, ‭+1 (330) 449-0604‬. It’s been 3 or days now that they’ve been calling me and if you return their call is says, the phone Number has been disconnected. These scam bugs are annoying. Be aware of them.
Scam Alert fro…
July 15, 2019
robo call from 1-855-677-2194 was received this morning! all this scammers need to be captured and brought up to justice now! don't ever verify your info to nobody ! Be aware and don't fall onto this.
MNLRO
July 15, 2019
I’ve gotten calls from a specific number but I blocked it. NOW, I’m just getting calls from an unknown number. I’ve gotten like 10 this morning. I’m starting to get pissed off!
Tom
July 15, 2019
Got a cal today from 970-510-6355 with a recorded message claimong to be SSA. Wanted me to call that number back. Got one last week from 866-931-7077 claiming my SS No. had been suspended.
Dee
July 15, 2019
calls under a restricted telephone number with an automated voice asking to call 800-712-0521 as soon as possible due to suspicious activity on my social security number. They threatened to shut it down if I don't call it back. HA! I wish they would, then I would not be liable for my children's Education Parent Loans and I could apply for a new SSN. But back to reality, No the SSA doesn't just call you out of the blue, and NO they do not EVER suspend your social security number, and sadly, yes I must continue to pay my parent loans I took out to help pay for my children's education.
kbmbk
July 15, 2019
Thanks for the heads up. They are now calling from 800-860-3607 and being even more threatening. Everyone please BLOCK it!!!!!!!
Don't use your…
July 15, 2019
I received the same scam call from this other number 800 033 1273
Castle
July 15, 2019
Got this one twice today... "We are calling to inform you that there is a legal enforcement filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activities so when you get this message call back as soon as possible before we begin with the legal proceeding you can reach us on our direct number which is 281-839-2137, I repeat is 281-839-2137 thank you and have a nice day"
Cassie
September 14, 2020

In reply to by Castle

I got this today on 315-610-7722 and 315-610-7762. Is this a fraudulent activity?
Srra
September 17, 2020

In reply to by Cassie

I received the exact same call today but from a different number 3048200848. Is this a scam as well?
GGMM
October 28, 2020

In reply to by Castle

That same call is still going around. I got it a few weeks ago, and again today. My calls have been from a 628 area code
BV
July 15, 2019
scam attempt today with call from 800-844-8515
jvllopezjl53
July 22, 2019
I received a call today around 5:30 pm Social Security investigation Betty funny guy from India 470-480-5983. I googled the phone number and check with the Better Business Bureau This is scam
Frustrated
July 15, 2019
I just got a call from 1 888 882 8020 saying they were from the IRS and they're going to stop my social security check, they even left me a message on my phone. I hung up I didn't speak to them but I did check the message.. When does it stop
Acmwmt
July 15, 2019
I just received 3 calls today. They said they had to suspend my social security number due to fraud activity. I have received so many different calls due to this, most of the time I ignore it, but now they are calling so much from private numbers I stop answering it. This is becoming so frustrated.
Augustmoon
July 16, 2019
I just received a female recorded computer voice claiming i would be arrested something to do with taxes. To avoid being arrested i needed to press the number 1 to speak to an associate. I called them a scam and said Social Security does not make phone calls. Recorded voice repeated twice not appropriate answer. The number on caller i.d. read 1-339-216-4026. It came in at 9:27 a.m on 7/16/2019.
Scopy
July 16, 2019
Also got several calls with this number: (855) 172-2921
Umar Hageb
July 16, 2019
They just called me now from 1800 194 4609. Beware!
Dazey
July 16, 2019
Just got a similar call from 210-880-4923 caller id shows to be Texas compost kitchens. called the number back after listening to voice mail stating will be taking legal action.. called number foreign man answers # with Social Security.. ,,called it back the second time same man answers the phone... for one if it was Social security it would have an extension # and 2 most likely would be an automated call when first calling in..."SCAMMER"
Tracey
July 16, 2019
Forwarded voicemail from: +13392164026 Department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions have been filed on your social security number for fraudulent activities. So when you get this message kindly call us back on our hotline number 339-216-4026. I repeat that is 339-216-4026. Don't disregard this notice and do return the call before we begin with the legal proceedings against you. Thank you. If you wish to speak with our executive then press one now. That was an invalid entry. If you wish to speak with our executive then press one now....... This is the scam I got , I let all unknown calls go to voicemail
sk
July 16, 2019
508-936-5098 called me with a recorded message that said something about social security - I hung up before I heard the rest. It was automated - a female voice recording.
Nic
July 16, 2019
Received the SSA scam call from 800-664-5976
ROrangeCounty
July 16, 2019
Just received cell call scam. Wonder how they got my number? their number is 785-571-9324 from Abilene, KS. I knew it was a scam because I was advised this kind of scam is worldwide. Be aware Social Security will send you a letter with your name on it, this scam didn't even name you or anything personal, just a threat. Don't give out your info.
Vinay
July 16, 2019
I've just received call saying, my Social is being blocked and press 1 for reaching out Administrator. Got call from 800-723-067
RICK
July 16, 2019
+18000471716 saying my SSN has been suspended and tried calling me through a private number
Emily
July 16, 2019
Just got a call similar to this. These are the phone numbers 1-800-597-9904 and 1- 866-613-3070
Joe
July 16, 2019
Number they called from was: 830-282-7233
Chris
July 16, 2019
Received a robocall from ‭(508) 936-5098‬ stating that my SSN was compromised, and for me to return the call.
TT
July 16, 2019
Just got the voicemail from a New York number...social security card is being suspended for suspicious activities
One time in the SW
July 16, 2019
Been getting 12 different calls a day since the 11th from 800 series numbers from Russia for example or at least that's what Google is telling me the source of the calls. The major 3 I've been getting are from: 1-646-583-5921 1-737-214-4832 1-888-272-5543 I've blocked them with my Verizon account but they still get through.
Helen
July 23, 2019

In reply to by One time in the SW

I called my landline carrier, AT&T, & had them block all international calls. I have no friends or relatives living outside the U.S., so it is a good choice for me.
craig w
July 16, 2019
got a call 7/15/19 from 814-419-3853 sounding like a fraudulent request from social sec about fraud on my acct
sfikar
July 19, 2019

In reply to by craig w

Also got a fraudulent call from 814-419-3853. Can't somebody arrest them???
The anti-scammer
August 04, 2020

In reply to by sfikar

If it is fraudulent and they can locate these people .. Yes. how to locate would be to work in and closely with the department of justice that you report it to.... I'd like to, idc.. I don't hate these people but the actions they commit.. trying to rob people of something that was given to them. Nasty, Horrible.
Jibarra't use …
July 16, 2019
1 899 008 6955 1 899 364 1136 Imposters. Scammers.
Deb
July 16, 2019
So, I have been getting a rash of calls from a 281-008 area code and prefix. I keep blocking the calls so the last 4 digits keep changing. This may or may not be related to SSA scam, but I am not going to answer and go to the FCC.
The Wahwah
July 16, 2019
HEADS UP, they are moving steadily West. I rcvd 3 calls in 2 days on my cell. I don't answer unknown # calls so went to vm. Heavy Hispanic accented man calling me to demand I call him about legal action against owner of ssn# ending xxxx. I replayed 3 times just to get name, company and #. Michael Vasquez of The Solutions Group (which is actually a real business.....in software solutions not a law firm as intimated). # left for call back - 925-434-5853 (San Francisco area code). Simple Google search on that # has lots of scam reports tied to it.
Dan
July 16, 2019
I just got 5 in a row today with the same comment...all with 844 area code numbers....9179901....1303248.....9328816. 2358738....6488253....how do they get all these numbers..and why are they not traced and stopped?
UC
July 16, 2019
I got several calls from the SSN fraud department. It seems like it comes from a call center fishing for peoples information and money. You can hear it in the brack ground. When I ask the guy for his employee ID he hang up. Becareful dont give out your information over the phone no matter what.
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