Double Check

Is the call saying my Social Security number is suspended a scam?

A typical version of this message
This call is from the Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity linked to a crime in Texas. Your bank accounts will be frozen today. To verify your identity and protect your funds, press 1 to speak with an officer immediately.
Why it is a government impersonation
Yes — and it is worth saying plainly: Social Security numbers cannot be suspended. There is no such thing. The SSA contacts people by mail, does not threaten arrest or frozen accounts, and never asks anyone to 'protect' money by moving it or buying gift cards. The invented crime gives the caller a reason you must stay on the line; fear of losing your retirement money does the rest.
What to do
Hang up — pressing 1 only marks your number as responsive. Your benefits and your number are exactly as they were before the call. Anything real would be visible in your account at ssa.gov, or ask at 1-800-772-1213. Report imposter calls at oig.ssa.gov. Never move money because a caller told you it was in danger — that instruction only ever comes from scammers.

Got a message like this? Paste it into our free checker and get an answer in seconds.

Check a suspicious message

Or get the Double Check app for you or your parents.

Checked by Double Check on August 31, 2026. This page documents a widely reported scam pattern; the example wording is representative, with links and personal details replaced. See more in the scam guide or recent answers.