Receiving a call from the Social Security Administration will undoubtedly make your heart pound faster. If the caller explains that your social security number has been suspended, you’ll likely feel faint and you’ll want to remedy the problem as quickly as possible. This will require you to provide the caller with your personal information so they can “reactivate” your SSN immediately.

However, consumers do not understand that there is one minor problem here. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended. You’re dealing with an imposter who hopes you’ll give them your SSN, bank account details, and other personal information.

 

How The Scam Works

The Social Security Administration scam call is becoming more prevalent by the day. The caller will pick a victim and call that individual’s phone number. Depending on the amount of research conducted in advance, they may already have your full name, date of birth, and address. After all, this information is readily available online and you’ve likely put some details on social media.

The caller will claim that your social security number has been suspended. To reactivate the number, they’ll need some of your personal information. If you give the scammer your information, they’ll likely be able to use and abuse your identity, bank account, and online accounts.

They’ll have enough information to reset your passwords and so much more. So, it is obviously best to never give your private information to strangers online or over the phone.

 

The Truth About Social Security Numbers

In reality, social security numbers never get suspended. They stick with the same individual beyond the grave. If someone calls you saying your SSN has been suspended, you should hang up immediately because you’re dealing with a fraudster. The caller may pretend that he or she is protecting you from a scam but they’re not. They’re luring you into a bigger scam.

Below, you’ll find tips for protecting yourself from government imposter scams and the social security suspended scam call.

• Never give your personal information to anyone over the phone, email, or on a website unless you know who that individual is.
• Never trust the phone number even if it seems to be linked to the government. Scammers can spoof phone numbers allowing them to make any number appear on your caller ID.
• The government mostly contacts individuals using postal mail.
• If you receive a call like this, you should contact the government agency directly. Use the phone number on the official website to be positive.

Furthermore, you should report the scam to the FTC. You can do so by visiting https://www.ftc.gov/complaint.