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Social Security Number scam on the rise

The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security Number and even 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. In 2018, more than 35,000 people have reported the scam, and they tell us they’ve lost $10 million. Here are some versions of the scam.

In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security Number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security Number.

In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security Number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he’ll tell you how to keep it safe.

But all of these are scams. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The SSA will never (ever) call and ask for your Social Security Number. It won’t ask you to pay anything. And it won’t call to threaten your benefits.
  • Your caller ID might show the SSA’s real phone number (1-800-772-1213), but that’s not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can’t trust what you see there.
  • Never give your Social Security Number to anyone who contacts you. Don’t confirm the last 4 digits. And don’t give a bank account or credit card number – ever – to anybody who contacts you asking for it.
  • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. Always. No matter who they say they are.

If you’re worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you’ve spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

by Jennifer Leach
Acting Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC



4 Responses to Social Security Number scam on the rise

  1. Maria Woods July 29, 2019 at 11:59 am #

    Social security scams are increasing day by day. In this scammers usually asks about SSN or card details. If you enclose this intimate information to them they can make several identity theft like false tax returns, property purchase or various other scams onto your name. If someone is receiving these kind of calls then its advisory to inform SSA or filing a complaint in your nearest SS office

  2. George Smith August 13, 2019 at 9:02 am #

    This issue is really worrying. I also received a call from number that have SSA’s ID. They told me that my SSN is likely to be blocked and if want to prevent it, i must tell them the no. As i was aware of these fraud calls, I didn’t share the details and reported this call to Ohio police station.

  3. Thank you for this information. I just this morning received a call from one of these groups. I wasn’t sure who to report it to. Thank you

  4. Jake Connor June 3, 2020 at 3:06 am #

    Thank you for the post. These scams are increasing day by day. We have to be very cautious while dealing with these people who pretend to be from the Social Security Administration. However, if you need any assistance regarding replacement or for a new application for social security card online then you can reach out at https://www.ssnsimple.com/

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