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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.

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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
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Woods
August 21, 2019
Some computer voice called me from this number 1+9860785805 saying about SSN please be aware of all this weird calls never call back never give any info of anything. If said if I don't call back ill be arrested. This is SCAMMER. ALSO report all of this numbers to help identify more scammers.
cot in the middle
August 21, 2019
My 80+ year old mother in law gets these all the time and I finally have her to the point of hanging up on them. I tell her over and over, the banks, SSN, etc do not call like these creeps do. I can tell she is not comfortable with hanging up but she is from another era. Her late husband had no problem in dumping these calls but now she is having to do it and doesn't like it.
RosariaG
August 21, 2019
There is a new one out with a female voice Tel# 8167869320 They have an arrest warrent out for me. I don't evn have Social Security benifits yet, but in the age group I guess
Wanda
August 21, 2019
So I got a call from 855-651-4153. They said They wanted to serve me for a legal matter on Friday. Asked if I wanted to be served at home or at work. They said if Friday didn't work for me, I should call No. 469-202-4519 to reschedule...Has this happened to anyone before?
Tired-of-these-scams
August 21, 2019
I received the SS call as well as another call from a 419-558-5214 number urging me to return a call due to criminal charges brought against me. There has to be a way to stop these calls. I would like to upload the ridiculous voicemail.
Svcs
August 21, 2019
I received a robocall voicemail from 866-979-2771 stating they are from the Department of SS administration and my SS# has been suspended due to suspicious activity and to press 1 if I want to hear more.
Bird Mann
August 21, 2019
Received a call from 718-493-4023, saying my SSN has been suspended for illegal activity. OH WELL, does this mean I don't have to pay income tax? Seriously, I deleted the call and the robo response.
Ann
August 22, 2019
This 800 service number calls at least two times a day....I never answer....the message is my Social Security number is compromised and need to call this call back number 1-866-624-3099....ASAP
Dianne Roadway
August 22, 2019
For the past 2 days, I keep getting these robo-calls from a 986 number. I only answered the first time. It is an Idaho area code and the voice was saying there is a warrant for my arrest. I've never been in Idaho and I don't know anyone that lives there. They've called me 9 times sofar. They seem to know when I'm near my phone, because they almost always call then. What can I do to stop these calls?
Carmel
August 22, 2019
Received one today at 609 373 2735 with an officer name and badge # but with thick accent. Threatened that somebody will come by my home to arrest me. Be careful
darkdiva1
August 22, 2019
334-614-7094 My number was used for illegal activity at the TX Border.
SS Scam
August 22, 2019
For the last 3 days, I have been receiving these calls as well. The number in my caller ID is 1-800-608-1761.
texasgirl
August 22, 2019
Just got the Soc Sec call/voicemail on my mobile phone this morning in Houston....caller id 718.006.6404....it DOES sound a bit scary - just hit DELETE!!! I feel bad for older people that aren't computer savvy and unable to check these things out.
Tee
August 22, 2019
Received a call this morning didn’t answer left a message say my ssn was suspended .. I Blocked it ..Here’s the Number 1-800-319-8041. That Sounds Like a Scam !!
S. Granade
August 22, 2019
I just received a similar call from 1-888-453-5586. I did not respond.
Delma
August 22, 2019
I received a call today from this number 213-277-9479. They threatened to suspend my number if I didn't call them back
Paver’s wife
August 22, 2019
They called leaving a voicemail stating to be ssa and that my number was deactivated for suspicious activity...today 8/22/2019
Citizen
August 22, 2019
When is the Government going to do something about this? I mean, this is a great article, but why can't the FBI track these guys down and make them pay?
Annoyed
August 22, 2019
I got the same voice recording but different message. I usually miss the call every time and it goes to voicemail. I called back to be put on their DNC list and I immediately hear hold music after it rings, then I'm connected to a random person who does not appear to be involved at all and asked me to stop calling them because they never called me. I'm assuming the spammers are making that person's number show up on my caller ID.
glg
August 22, 2019
Got a call today from 1-800-962-7680 from the Social Security Administration and to press 1 to speak to someone about personal social security. If they do not hear from me they will suspend my social security. Didn't answer they left a message.
Sara
August 22, 2019
Have received 3 calls this morning from 281-817-6152. Digital recording for "officer Maria Gomez" saying my SSN was being suspended for "some reason"--non-specific. Must call this number back to learn the problem. Scam!
Tammy
August 22, 2019
I got a phone call from a # 1-833-600-9990 saying it’s from SSA and that a legal enforcement action was being filed by fraudulent activity misuse associated with my social security # today. Normally this kind of stuff would come in the mail. They never actually call people right?
TEE
August 27, 2019

In reply to by Tammy

Also got this same message but the phone number 210-890-4809. And it was a robo call. Always if unsure call the main number.
Ruizt4803
August 22, 2019
Phone companies domestically could change their systems to make it harder to spoof numbers, but they have no interest in doing so because they make money off the scam calls. Not a lot of money, but adding the lost revenue to the cost of fixing their system, it's not an attractive value proposition.
Ruizt4803
August 22, 2019
I used a different phone number to call their number and wound up with someone not speaking English well with an accent I believe is tied to India. Of course, he could not identify my number I called him from, so he asked what my name and SSN is - I simply hung up. Sure enough, I did NOT get a call back to the number I used to call him.
Scammer Report
August 22, 2019
7476668393 This number is being used for a SSA scam
shannon
August 22, 2019
received a call from 718-894-8821 claiming that my ssn has been disabled and need to contact them immediately. please look into this. thanks
Bonnie
August 22, 2019
I just got a call from 8776484332
Sammy
August 22, 2019
I’ve been receiving a Call saying “Suspend your Social Security number with immediate effect due to this all your social benefits will be canceled until further clearance in case you feel this is due to an error you may connect with legal _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ administration in order to connect with the Social Security administration officer press one now in case we did not hear from you your social will be blocked permanently to connect with the officer now press one and you will be automatically be connected with a concern _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ we did not receive any input or _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ in order to speak with Social Security personal regarding your Social Security _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ and this automated system will connect you with the officials press one now to connect” from this number ‭+1 (800) 626-0383‬ Everyday now... beware.
acupvcoffee
August 30, 2019
I get at least 2-4 a day and I block them every time I get one. They are relentless with new numbers every time. I have called the number back and the # they call me from isn't even connected to S.S. it's a completely different company. I have also followed the prompt and asked them why they keep blowing my phone up and they just hang up on me.
cwhi
August 22, 2019
I just received a voicemail they said " You know your social security number is been used for some kind of fraudulent activities in the south border of Texan so please in order go ahead get more information to speak....... press on I repeat press one thank you have a great day" XT+800 1020152
Ann
August 22, 2019
I just got 2 calls from this number as well as 315-284-5147 2 calls from this number and aslo from 315-284-5241 caller ID says Adam's Center NY 4 calls this morning there using different numbers.
Devo 123
August 22, 2019
Just got a call from 857-690-3361 from Massachusetts stating the my SS# has been compromised and temporarily suspended for more information press 1. I didn't but does the SSA call people out of the blue to tell you this and how did they get my number. do we pay them to track me down find my number to let me know this information or is this as i suspect a scam?
Gus
August 22, 2019
I received a similar call on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 1:16pm from number 210-761-5130 saying they are from the Federal Bureau of Crime. I dont know how to submit a report.
T. R. Gilley
August 22, 2019
I received a call from this number several times with a very similar message ‭+1 (858) 446-8950‬
Fez
August 22, 2019
I am getting one of these calls now every other day and it is quite bothering because I am living overseas now so they call in the middle of the night. The call is coming in from 1 800 481-6006.
Got this call …
August 23, 2019
Another recorded Social Security Agency scam from (800) 861-2535.
Fox
August 23, 2019
Received a call from 888-263-1053. The caller said he was from SSA and SSA would suspend my ssn because of suspicious activities they found.
Athenna
August 23, 2019
I received two scammer calls one from 18095036470 telling me about arrest warrant from ss and from 2149745467 telling me account was suspended they went to voicemail I did not call back but deleted them
TinaQueen
August 23, 2019
they just called me with the same thing. Indian guy saying that I am going to be arrested for money laundering and drug trafficking. They wanted all my information and when I said that they were a scam they said that I was on the FBI watchlist. Ha! I work as a federal employee.
TinaQueen
August 23, 2019
they just called me with the same thing. Indian guy saying that I am going to be arrested for money laundering and drug trafficking. They wanted all my information and when I said that they were a scam they said that I was on the FBI watchlist. Ha! I work as a federal employee.
Anonymous
August 23, 2019
Just received a call from ‭+1 (888) 690-5788‬ leaving a Social Security “suspicious activity and blocking my social security “ Scam voicemail.
Sid
August 23, 2019
We have been getting this scam call for more than a week everyday from # 947 222 4397
alan9988
August 23, 2019
Recieved this message from (858) 408-3890. Not sure why anyone would believe that their SSN is being suspended.
shrammy
August 23, 2019
Two calls today saying everything listed above. The numbers were 1800-534-6172 and 1-800-219-3043
Whodeyman
August 23, 2019
just got call from 833 674 7687
Deb
August 23, 2019
Just received a call from 888-434-1733 stating that they were from the Dept. of SS that my SS number was just suspended because they found some suspicious activity so if you want to know more about this case return the call and press 1. No I did not fall for it.
Vfsig
August 23, 2019
I just received a call from a 410 area code to verify my bank account for deposits from the SS office in Maryland. I hope that was legit.
Pilgrim
August 23, 2019
I just received a call today from a 1-214-260-7507 from Texas and the woman stated that she was a Social Security Officer and was calling to tell me that my number was used in Texas and I was to call her as soon as possible. Be careful out there as this number didn't come up as a valid SSN number in a search and according to this site it is not.
Tooldforthis
August 23, 2019
I just recieved my 52 phone call. This time I called the number and a gentleman with an Indian accent answered saying he was from SSA. Look, they all leave a message threatening me with legal action or arrest. I deal with SSA often, these calls are not legitimate so please report it and don't worry. If SSA needed to contact you ,it would be in writing first. And not from Texas,Oklahoma,Florida,Nevada or Maryland.