Social Security Impersonation Scam
SSA impersonation scams have evolved. The SSA OIG documented a new twist in July 2025: emails with official-looking SSA letterhead claiming your SSN will be suspended within 24 hours. The FTC reports the SSA's real customer service number (800-772-1213) is frequently spoofed on caller ID.
Reports
Part of $2.95B gov impersonation (FTC 2024)
First documented
2018
Last active
2026-03
⚠ This page documents a reported scam pattern for educational purposes. It is not a factual determination about any specific caller or number. Sources are cited for all statistics and claims. ZeroScam is not affiliated with the FTC, FBI, or FCC.
What the scam says
New 2025 variant: Email with subject 'Alert: Social Security Account Issues Detected' includes fake SSA OIG letterhead claiming your SSN will be suspended within 24 hours and your case referred for criminal prosecution. Classic call variant: Caller claims your SSN was found linked to criminal activity in Texas, and you must pay to 'protect' your SSN.
5 red flags
The SSA OIG specifically warned about this email variant in July 2025
SSA never suspends SSNs — this is a fabricated threat with no legal basis
Caller ID may show the real SSA number (800-772-1213) — it is spoofed
No government agency asks for payment to 'protect' your SSN
The 'car found in Texas with your SSN' script appears in hundreds of identical reports
What to do
Do not respond to the email or call
Call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to verify your account status
Report to SSA OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or oig.ssa.gov
Place a credit freeze at all three bureaus if you shared personal information
Report this scam
Source
SSA OIG official scam alerts 2025; CFPB December 2025; FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024
https://oig.ssa.gov/scam-awareness/identify-the-scam/ ↗Reported numbers using this pattern
Specific scam messages in this pattern
People also search for
Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security Impersonation Scam?▼
SSA impersonation scams have evolved. The SSA OIG documented a new twist in July 2025: emails with official-looking SSA letterhead claiming your SSN will be suspended within 24 hours. The FTC reports the SSA's real customer service number (800-772-1213) is frequently spoofed on caller ID.
How do I recognize a Social Security Impersonation Scam?▼
Red flags: The SSA OIG specifically warned about this email variant in July 2025; SSA never suspends SSNs — this is a fabricated threat with no legal basis; Caller ID may show the real SSA number (800-772-1213) — it is spoofed.
What should I do if I receive a Social Security Impersonation Scam?▼
Do not respond to the email or call Call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to verify your account status Report to SSA OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or oig.ssa.gov
How common is the Social Security Impersonation Scam?▼
Part of $2.95B gov impersonation (FTC 2024). First documented: 2018. Source: SSA OIG official scam alerts 2025; CFPB December 2025; FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024.
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Check your message →Source: SSA OIG official scam alerts 2025; CFPB December 2025; FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024
First documented: 2018 · Last active: 2026-03
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