Social security scam calls: how to spot the fake SSA call
Quick answer
A call saying your Social Security number is blocked, tied to a crime or needs fixing is a scam. The SSA won't call to ask for your number or demand payment. Hang up, then call the SSA at a number you look up yourself, and report it to the FTC.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Text, Email
- Pretends to be
- Social Security Administration
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The FTC says the callers claim your Social Security number is linked to a crime, that it has been blocked, or that your benefits are at risk. Some say a bank account is about to be seized and you must move your money. Others say someone used your number to apply for credit cards.
Caller ID can show the SSA's real number, because it's easy to make any number appear on caller ID. The goal is to get your Social Security number or a payment, often by wire, gift card or cash.
Red flags
- A call that says your Social Security number is suspended, blocked or linked to a crime
- Anyone asking for your Social Security number by phone
- Payment demanded by wire, gift card or cash
- A warning that your bank account will be seized unless you move your money
- Caller ID that shows a real SSA number: it can be faked
Example message
This is the Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has been linked to suspicious activity and will be suspended. Call [phone number] right away to speak to an agent and avoid legal action.
What to do
- 1
Hang up and call the SSA yourself
Look up the SSA's number on its official website and call that. Don't use a number the caller gave you or call back the number on your screen.
- 2
Don't give your Social Security number or pay
The FTC says the SSA will never call to ask for your number or ask you to pay anything. Anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card or send cash is a scammer.
- 3
If you paid, call your bank or the card company now
Tell them it was fraud and ask them to stop or reverse the payment. For gift cards, contact the card company with the card number and receipt.
- 4
If you gave your number, protect your credit
Consider a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus and check your credit reports. Our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the steps.
- 5
Report it
Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include the number that called you.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers don't pick numbers and addresses at random. Names, phone numbers, home addresses and email addresses are easy to buy from people-search sites and data brokers, and they leak in breaches, which lets a caller or sender sound like they know you. Serus finds where your details are listed and removes them from the sites that hold them, and alerts you when your data shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Common Social Security Administration scams
Frequently asked
Will the SSA ever call me?
The FTC says the SSA will never call to ask for your Social Security number or ask you to pay anything. If you're worried about a call, hang up and contact the SSA yourself.
The caller ID showed the SSA's real number. Is the call real?
Not necessarily. The FTC notes that computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID, so hang up and call the SSA at a number you looked up.
My Social Security number was never suspended, was it?
The FTC describes calls claiming a number is blocked or suspended as a scam script. Your number isn't suspended because of a phone call.
What if I already gave my number?
Freeze your credit, watch your accounts and report it to the FTC. A freeze stops new accounts being opened in your name.
Sources
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