Be Aware of the Social Security Impostor Scam

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is advising us to be aware of scammers who are placing phone calls to people using a caller ID that reflects the real Social Security Administration’s phone number. Once this phone call is answered, the caller falsely informs you that your Social Security Number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity or being involved in a crime.

The scammer is convincing and is after your SSN! The caller asks you to confirm your SSN in order to reactivate it. Sometimes, the scammer asks for money or gift cards to keep your SSN or bank account safe.

The FTC want you 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.

Has your SSN been exposed or misused? Here’s what you can do:

I gave my Social Security number to the caller and I’m worried about identity theft.

Someone used my Social Security number to open accounts and I want to report identity theft.

If you got one of these calls, file a report at ftc.gov/complaint.

Content From FTC - https://identitytheft.gov/ssa