Scam Calls About Social Security Suspension

Scammers are calling their potential victims pretending to be from the government claiming their Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammers, calling from a spoofed Social Security Administration number, wants you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. And, other times, the scammers will say your bank account is about to be seized and tell you what to do to keep it safe. The scammers will ask you to put your money on gift cards and give him the codes – which, of course, means that your money is gone.

And, not because your caller ID often shows the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) it doesn't necessarily means it is the SSA. This is because scammers can call you and make their telephone number appear as the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213). This type of trick or technique is called Caller ID spoofing.

Remember, the 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.

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 ftc.gov/complaint.