"Your Social Security Number Has Been Suspended": The Scam Call Explained

Short answer: calls, texts or voicemails saying your Social Security number has been "suspended", is linked to a crime, or that you will be arrested unless you pay, are scams. Social Security and its Inspector General do not threaten people or demand payment for official action. Hang up and report it at oig.ssa.gov/report.

How the scam works

• A recorded message says your SSN was "suspended due to suspicious activity". Press 1 to speak to an "officer".
• The caller says your number was used in a crime and you face arrest.
• They ask you to "confirm" your SSN or bank details, or to move money to a "safe account", buy gift cards, send crypto or cash.
• Caller ID may show a real government number. It can be faked.

The facts

• Social Security numbers are not "suspended".
• Government staff will not threaten you or demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or cash.
• The Inspector General's fraud hotline does not make outgoing calls from its 800 number.

What to do

1. Hang up. Do not press any buttons or call back the number given.
2. Report it to the Social Security OIG at oig.ssa.gov/report or 1-800-269-0271.
3. If you shared your SSN, place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus and visit IdentityTheft.gov.
4. If you paid, contact your bank or gift card company immediately and report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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