Scam library · Phone calls · Government impostor · Seniors
Social Security number suspended call scam
A robocall says your Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity. Press 1 or call back to avoid arrest. A live 'agent' then says your number was used in drug trafficking or money laundering in Texas.
Social Security numbers can't be suspended. The Social Security Administration warns that it won't threaten you, suspend your number, or demand immediate payment.
What the message looks like
From: Robocall from "Social Security Administration"
"This is the Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. To avoid legal action, press 1 now to speak with an officer."
Officer: "Your number was used to open bank accounts linked to drug trafficking. To protect your savings, we will move them to a secure federal account."
How this scam works
The caller says they'll 'protect your assets' while the case is investigated. They ask you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards, or move savings to a 'safe government account' or crypto. Some send fake letters or badge photos by text to look real.
Some callers also impersonate other agencies such as the FBI or DEA and transfer you between 'departments' to build trust. The FTC reported $789 million lost to government impostors in 2024.
Red flags
- 'Your Social Security number is suspended or blocked.'
- Your number is 'linked to a crime' in another state.
- A request to move money to protect it, or to buy gift cards or crypto.
- Threats of arrest or of freezing your bank accounts.
- Pressure to stay on the phone and keep it secret.
How to tell it’s fake
- Hang up. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or check your account at ssa.gov, which you type yourself.
- Know that SSA mainly contacts people by mail, and will not ask you to pay to fix a problem with your number.
- No government agency moves your savings into a 'safe account'. That phrase alone means scam.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Hang up and report it to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov and to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you paid
- Call your bank's fraud line now. For gift cards, call the card company with the numbers. For crypto or a Bitcoin ATM, report to ic3.gov with the wallet address.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you confirmed your Social Security number or bank details, place a credit freeze, create your own my Social Security account so nobody else can, and use IdentityTheft.gov.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard can't listen to calls. When a fake SSA follow-up arrives by email or text you open on your computer, or a 'federal' page on a non-.gov address asks you to move money or pay in crypto, it steps in with a clear warning. That second opinion matters most for older parents, who are the main targets.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Can my Social Security number be suspended?
- No. SSA doesn't suspend Social Security numbers. Any caller saying so is a scammer.
- Does Social Security ever call?
- Sometimes, if you have business with them. But SSA says it won't threaten you or demand payment, and you can always hang up and call 1-800-772-1213.
- They told me to move my money to a safe account. Is that real?
- No. That is a scam every time. Stop any transfer and call your bank.