How do I spot a fake Social Security Administration email or call?
The SSA never suspends your Social Security number by phone or email — any contact claiming your number has been deactivated is a scam.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Social Security impersonation is one of the top scam categories in the United States. Fraudsters call or email claiming to be from the Social Security Administration and tell you that your Social Security number has been 'suspended' or 'compromised' and was used in criminal activity. They threaten arrest unless you confirm your details or make an immediate payment.
The Social Security Administration does not suspend Social Security numbers. It does not arrest people. It does not demand immediate payment in any form. When the SSA needs to contact you it sends a letter to your registered address and gives you time to respond. If it calls you at all (which is rare), it is usually in response to a request you made — never to threaten you.
Payment requests reveal the scam clearly. The SSA has no mechanism to receive gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers to foreign accounts, or money orders through unofficial channels. A government representative demanding any of these forms of payment is not a government representative.
You can verify your actual Social Security record through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (877-908-3360) provides free guidance for anyone who has received a suspicious contact.
Common red flags
- Caller claims your Social Security number has been 'suspended' or 'deactivated'
- Threatens arrest, deportation, or legal action unless you pay immediately
- Requests payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Asks you to confirm your full Social Security number over the phone
- Email sender is not from an @ssa.gov domain
- Caller ID shows 'Social Security Administration' — this can be spoofed
What to do now
- Hang up or delete the email without engaging
- Verify your real Social Security status at ssa.gov
- Report the contact to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov
- File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Tell elderly relatives — this scam disproportionately targets older adults
- If you paid, contact your bank or the gift card issuer immediately
Frequently asked questions
Can the real SSA ever call me?
In limited circumstances the SSA may call if you have an existing claim, but it will never threaten arrest or demand payment. If unsure, hang up and call the SSA directly on 1-800-772-1213.
I gave them my Social Security number — what should I do?
Place a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), file a report with the FTC, and monitor your credit report for new accounts opened in your name.
Why does the caller ID show a government number?
Caller ID spoofing is trivially easy with VoIP technology. Seeing 'Social Security Administration' on caller ID is no evidence that it is a genuine call.