Inspector General Warns Public about Phone Calls from OIG “Imposters”
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about a nationwide telephone “imposter phishing” scheme. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have received several reports from citizens across the country about persons receiving phone calls from individuals posing as OIG investigators. The caller indicates an issue exists pertaining to the person’s Social Security account or Social Security number (SSN) and directs the person call a non-SSA telephone number to address the issue.
The reports indicate the calls include a recording from a caller stating she is “Nancy Jones,” an “officer with the Inspector General of Social Security.” The recording goes on to say the person’s Social Security account, SSN, and/or benefits are suspended, and that he or she should call 806-680-2373 to resolve the issue. Citizens should be aware that the scheme’s details may vary; however, citizens should avoid calling the number provided, as the unknown caller might attempt to acquire personal information.
OIG investigators occasionally contact citizens by telephone for investigative purposes, but they will not request sensitive personal information from a citizen over the phone. If a person receives a similar suspicious call from someone alleging to be from the OIG, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Acting Inspector General Stone said, “This phishing scheme is targeting unsuspecting persons for the purpose of Social Security benefit theft or identity theft.” She warns citizens to be cautious, and to avoid providing personal information such as your SSN or bank account numbers to unknown persons over the phone or internet unless you are certain of who is receiving it. “You must be very confident that the source is the correct business party, and that your information will be secure after you release it,” Stone said.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy. (Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call Social Security’s TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.)
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Tags: Office of the Inspector General, OIG, SSN
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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Kristin S.
New scam calls from 916-598-8623. Please be aware!
D.Larsen
Hello, I just received a call from (915)-208-4504,
And was greeted with a computer generated recording indicating that there was a problem with my SS# and that I could be facing criminal charges if I didn’t return the call to this # ^^^. They did not give me a contact name.
I laughed and told them I would be reporting their number.
D.Larsen
R.F.
Unfortunately, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Colleen K.
There seems to be another phone # regarding the SSA scam. Here’s the number 419-208-9183 (believe it’s Ohio #). Got a call today from man identifying himself as Alex Rush, Badge # AD11920 from SSA saying someone was using my SSN in Texas. Wanted my SSN which I didn’t give him and asked to talk to a supervisor or manager to confirm. They hung up real quick after that. Sneaky devils. You may want to put on your web instructions if someone does get a call, for them to ask for manager or super to confirm and really push back with them (without giving any personal information). I found if you push back with them, they just hang up.
Ann W.
I received a call on my business line concerning Phone Calls from OIG “Imposters”. The call came 720-324-7589.
V.V.
Hi Ann, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Henry B.
I received the classic social security alert fake scam call from: 800 772 1213
V.V.
Hi Henry, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our recent blog post:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
Heather G.
I got a call that left a very computer voice sounding message stating my SSN and assets have been suspended due to illegal activity. I was told to call 607-441-6521 in the next 48 hours or I would not be able to use my bank accounts, or apply for credit. I did not call back and will not call back, if somethinglike this were to occur a letter would be sent correct? Also I don’t know what kind of illegal activity they could attach to my SSN Unless someone else is using it.
V.V.
Heather, thank you for checking in with us. As the blog post indicates, citizens are receiving suspicious phone calls from individuals claiming to be from Social Security. We have posted another blog with additional information:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you ever have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Gayle c.
Rec’d call today stating my ss# has been compromised and will be suspended. Suppose to call 916-913-9775. Did not respond as assume this is a scam. The number is different than what I noticed was reported before as same type of scam.
V.V.
Gayle, thank you for checking in with us. If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Deborah S.
I have received two calls from 253-216-8109 today. After the second call, I called the number back and the person that answered (foreign accent) stated he was a Officer at the SS office.(State of Washington) I’ve had this same phone call several times before where they leave a message, so I told him to take my number off his Scam List and I was turning his number in to the Gov.
Debbie T.
My 17 year old daughter received a call/message on her cell phone from the following number: 512-961-7145 stating someone was trying to fraudulantly use her social security number. I called. A man with a thick accent called himself, “Eric Foster” and asked me for her phone number, which I would not give. He laughed. I stated if someone was actually reporting a problem with my minor daughter’s social security number, they would have reached out to her parents. He laughed at that too. I told him there would be no confirmation of any information and that I would report his fraudulant activity. Not sure if this is the place to do this, but thought I’d post it somewhere. Thanks.
K.O.
Hello Debbie, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Deb
Today I received a call from Texas. He said. he was from Social Security. phone number 940-441-4107. 1st person that answered was John Nelson and he hung up when I wouldn’t give my social security number. I called back and got Richard Watson who did the same as first when I said I wouldn’t give my social. called back again, this time Jack Williams. he hung up when I said I was going to report him. these 3 men all have accents, sound the same which I think is the same person every time I call back.