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Probably not. At least, not from the real SSA. But how many of you have gotten calls from someone who said they were the Social Security Administration? And maybe showed the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) or a number close to it on your caller ID? Lots, right?

We’ve seen a spike in the number of people reporting those fake SSA calls to us. Since January 2018, we’ve gotten more than 63,000 reports of this scam. Three percent of those people reported a loss – and they lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484).

You can hear what the scam sounds like here. The caller usually says 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 says your bank account is about to be seized – but if you go put your money on gift cards and then give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. (Of course, you never want to do that, because then your money is just gone.)

To report this scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. But if you already gave one of these callers your SSN and you're worried about identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov/ssa. And if you get one of these calls, remember:

  • Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. Your bank account is not about to be seized.
  • The real SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards.
  • You can’t believe the numbers on your caller ID. Scammers can easily fake those. But if you’re worried, call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself – just not on your caller ID.
  • Never give your SSN, credit card or bank account number to anyone who contacts you. Ever.

To hear more from the honest-to-goodness SSA and the FTC about these scams, follow the Facebook Live at noon tomorrow on the SSA’s Facebook page.

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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.
  • 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.

I'M TIRED OF THIS!!!
May 30, 2019
Just received a call from #888-585-5932 stating she was from the Federal Office of the SSA. And that my SS# has been suspended due to drug and money laundering. At first I was in shock upset stated to get sick in the stomach scared I was about to be arrested. But what got me was when she asked me have I ever lived in the state I was born and raised in I said this is fraud and I am calling my lawyer and if it is true I will go from there and hung up. People be careful.
PradaGal
May 30, 2019
I got one of these calls just now from 217-688-8688 (Sidney, IL). Ignored it and hung up.
itsallfakenews
May 30, 2019
add 518-300-3649
katieicebaby
May 31, 2019
I just received a similar scam call from 833-300-4825.
missannienow
May 31, 2019
I got one of these calls today. A serious, sort of threatening man's voice told me my SS account was now frozen and a complaint had been filed against me. I did not listen to the entire call as I already knew this was a scam. Nor did the phone number even try to match the SSAs. It was a simple 800 number. But I am sure that if I HAD listened I would have been told to send money. I think this stuff is truly disgusting.
Don't use your…
May 31, 2019
2nd time this month my cell phone has gotten a call from a 202 area code (Washington DC area ) leaving a voice message that my Social Security acct has been suspended due to fraudulent activity and requesting a call back. The 1st time I checked my acct on line and everything was in place and active. I then learned that this is a scam through AARP website . The # is 202-380-9756. I have blocked this # twice now!!
GR
May 31, 2019
Just got one of these calls saying my ss# was being suspended due to suspicious activity. The only thing suspicious was the call and voicemail. The number was (573) 213-4955.
mariawoods
June 03, 2019
This is a total fraudulent. SSA never calls you for your card details. You must not share your card credentials as they can result is a big loss. They bug you all the time by telling that is is your last time to avail social security services.
Will
June 03, 2019
I received a call today claiming to be the SS office and I called the number back and it was a person that when answering the phone just said hello and did not or would not identify himself. It started as an automated call stating that my ss # was being used. Then redirected to call this number 1(407) 231-4427. I call back guy answers and just says hello. Not giving any info or identifying himself in any way. Really sketchy.
Will
June 03, 2019
I received a call today claiming to be the SS office and I called the number back and it was a person that when answering the phone just said hello and did not or would not identify himself. It started as an automated call stating that my ss # was being used. Then redirected to call this number 1(407) 231-4427. I call back guy answers and just says hello. Not giving any info or identifying himself in any way. Really sketchy.
Will
June 03, 2019
6-03-2019 I received a call today claiming to be the SS office and I called the number back and it was a person that when answering the phone just said hello and did not or would not identify himself. It started as an automated call stating that my ss # was being used. Then redirected to call this number 1(407) 231-4427. I call back guy answers and just says hello. Not giving any info or identifying himself in any way. Really sketchy.
Scam likely ca…
June 03, 2019
Got a call a guy with foreign voice said my ssn was being suspended and has been being used in Houston Texas and is in connection with a crime. Says a car was found at Texas border with specs of blood and $200,000 cash and cocaine, and Wells Fargo and Bank of America cards with my name on them plus rental car was registered in my name. I asked for the address to where he was calling from he hung up in my face to google it and I called the number back he gave me the actual ssa address then I asked for his name he says it’s Richard Williamson. As I asked more questions like what is your job title and other questions pertaining to the people driving the car he hung up again. No answer when I called back.
over_it
June 03, 2019
I had never gotten a call like this and now in the past 3 hours, I've gotten 3 calls, all from the Boone, NC area code, all different numbers, but the same voice mail every time. It's ridiculous that we have to keep blocking numbers only for the same call to come through on a slightly different number...
Sanchez8701
June 03, 2019
I keep getting calls saying my social security number has been suspended from number +17314749295 Tennessee,
Sephirothlives
June 04, 2019
Hello, If they have stolen more than 16 million dollars and made 65 000 phone calls, why can you not catch them. Aeven if the phone number is spoofed the phone companies know what number these calls are coming from because Someone is getting billed for the call. Why can we not trace the calls and shut down the lines?
shirley
June 04, 2019
I got a call from 202-580-8307 stating this was ssi they need me to have my ssi number and birth date available and if i did not call back i will be arrested, there should be more done how many people get scared into doing this and be taken for the very little they have, shameful
realzoot
June 04, 2019
I've received a call from 805-637-7243
OldPhoneGuy
June 04, 2019
Got called from 800-064-5213 today indicating that my SSN was about to be blocked and to hit "1" to speak with an SSA person. I usually ignore numbers that I don't recognize, but have done some business with new vendors of late and thought it was one of them calling. I would like to re-iterate, as I tell my family, IF the call is important they will leave a voicemail (most automated services and scammers will not). After 30 + years in the telecommunications business, thought I had seen it all, this call is very convincing, DO NOT let these low lifes win and NEVER give out your SSN, most importantly, DO NOT answer calls from unknown sources, that's what voicemail is for.
OldPhoneGuy
June 07, 2019

In reply to by OldPhoneGuy

June 6th...another call from 800-064-6213, unanswered and no voicemail and still no letter from SSA in the mailbox. Beware of this number although a good hacker or phreaker spoofs the number anyway so it's probably irrelevant. I might also add when I looked the number up on an open search today I hit an advert for a robocaller killer application...makes one wonder who is actually originating these calls, something to stimulate business for the robocaller blocking apps?
Kathy
June 04, 2019
Recieved this call today
LunaMoon
June 04, 2019
I’ve been getting a lot of these lately. Fortunately, it was obvious to me that this was a scam, since this is not the way the SSA deals with things. I got so annoyed that I tripped the imposter up and had him admit it was a scam. The SSA would never call and deal with an “investigation” over the phone.
peyo143
June 05, 2019
I got a call and SSA suspend due someone thelf one of me or my husband then hang up phone number from 8288654134
DW
June 05, 2019
I’m getting calls from 855-277-8528. A computer generated voice says there is suspicious activity on my social security and it will be suspended and I will be arrested if I don’t call immediately
coco
June 05, 2019
I just received a phone call saying my SSN was suspended from this number 828-865-4154.
notfallinforit
June 05, 2019
I received 3 calls today from 828-865-4159...a recording saying my SSA number has been suspended. Hung up on the first call...didn't answer the next 2 calls.
Lynn H
June 06, 2019
I'v gotten a message..scam! and they want me to call 903-354-5171 . caller ID says it's from Emhouse Texas
ness
June 06, 2019
I got a voice mail from #1-917-740-7950 New York, NY today. "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 suspended your social security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you."
ksl
June 06, 2019
Add 866-331-8135 to the list. Got 4 of these calls within last 24 hours. Did not pick up. Caller ID was "US Government". Did not believe that. Messages left said SS# used in suspicious trail and I should press 1 for more info.
kat
June 06, 2019
I received at least 4 calls talking exactly like this from 1(877)853-4715. They have left voice mails as well. I do not answer and have never given information. Hopefully they just give up.
Ernest
June 06, 2019
I have been receiving this calls continously since morning
Can we be protected
June 06, 2019
Call/voicemail I received today: “From the legal department of social security administration purpose of this call is regarding enforcement action which has been executed by the US _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ right against your name ignoring this would be an intentional attempt to avoid _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ appearances before the magistrate judge or exam jury for a federal criminal offense so before this matter goes to Federal claims court house or you got arrested kindly call us back on our number 209-372-5567 I repeat it's 209372556…”
Jack of
June 06, 2019
I got a call from this number saying I’m going to get my car repo if I don’t call back and they have a tracker on my car 780-243-7979
Sue P
June 07, 2019
I have gotten 2 calls saying I have legal action against my SSN pending and I need to call right away. I already blocked and delete the numbers but one started with 844- and the other was a 417
Dave
June 07, 2019
Just got a call from 18542276587 claiming to be social security fraud division. Apparently social security is now based in India. I told them I was reporting them and they hung up.
Lyd58
June 07, 2019
+18669317075 got a call from this number saying my social security card was suspended. Didn't answer but they left a voicemail. Scam, too bad some people do get caught and become a victim.
Jordan
June 10, 2019
I've received a few robocalls from numbers this morning, claiming my SSN was suspended. I immediately smelled a scam and have since blocked the numbers. The numbers that called me were: 877-696-1100 800-389-5725
frustrated
June 10, 2019
Just received a call from 347-349-5455 saying ss # was being suspended. Its a scam. I also searched that number & comes up with a name of BRIAN BREYRE Has a picture of him on FB. They need to get a life
Rebecca
June 11, 2019
Social security scam numbers: they call 8 times a day. I'm fed up 828-865-6126 828-865-6120 828- 865-5330 828- 865- 5325 828-865- 5320 828-865- 5310 Someone please find these thieves and pestilences and lock them up without phone privileges.
Avnika Chacha
June 12, 2019
I got a call from SSN office saying my social number is being suspended. They guys asked me for my address, gave employer name, employer number, arrest warrant number etc. he also started explaining me why my social is being suspended. And when I said can you call me after some time, he hung up.
Warning from a…
June 12, 2019
Fraudulent incoming call from 878 212 6007 claiming to be investigators from Social Security. Block this number!
johne
June 12, 2019
SCAM - Received multiple calls from 800-776-0009 leaving Voicemails stating my SSN was being used near the Texas boarder. For amusement, I pressed one to speak with the agent just to hear this scammer. Toyed and interrogated him for a while and he became angry hung up on me.
Caroline H
June 13, 2019
I’ve gotten this call twice today. Here is the transcription from my voice mail. Needless to say I didn’t call back; “Is extremely time sensitive the number for you to call the SSA back is 866-348-9789 the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there's a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state _attorney general ⁠⁠_ and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 866-348-9789 thank you…”
Honest
June 13, 2019
I got a call from scammers with a foreign accent saying they were the Social Office and my SSN had been suspended. Phone numbers were (773) 887-1053. Always report it on the FTC’s website and block the numbers!
KP
June 14, 2019
For the past week I have received calls avour 3 times a day from a California numbers 415-813-3438 415-960-1223 615-577-4171 Its really concerning me.
Smith
June 14, 2019
Got a call from San Diego 619-243-2457 stating fraudulent activity.
Harleyup
June 14, 2019
I have been getting phone calls, that I don't answer. They leave me a message saying there from SSA and my social has been compromised. There are few different Numbers with the same area code: 510-112-7212, 510-112-7186, 510-112-7161, 510-112-7155, 510-112-7151.
Careful in nj
June 15, 2019
On 6/13/3019 i received 2 calls one@ 4pm & the other around 7pm. I did not answer but they did leave a voice message. It sounded like a recorded voice saying my "ss number was being suspended due to suspicious activity". They also left a call back number. These 2 calls, both from the following number 877-803-6318. I did file this on the SSA website.
Richmond
June 17, 2019
Received scam voicemails from two different numbers in the last week: 714-409-3003 417-279-9061
Prin1
June 17, 2019
Just go a call from person reporting SS# was being suspended. The number on caller id- 1-800-205-5905. The SSA does NOT suspend SS#'s - A big lie.
Prin1
June 17, 2019
Just go a call from person reporting SS# was being suspended. The number on caller id- 1-800-205-5905. The SSA does NOT suspend SS#'s - A big lie.