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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Kim S.
On 11/29/18 i received a robocall from 570-218-8721 telling me that my social has been found suspicious and that I needs to call to prevent suspension of my social and assets. I previously received a similar call from 22-869-3049 on 10/29/18. I am on the do not call list. Please stop these jerks!
Jean W.
I received a phone call (1 (901) 234-5 (2)) Collierville, Tn. The call said my Social Security is temporarily locked because of criminal activity. Hopefully – this is a scam.
Candace B.
Someone from 78e6-347-9331 called my home and told my husband that there has been indications that his Social Security account had signs of fraud. He was told unless he called this number, he would lose his Social Security. My husband knew that this was a scam, but I wanted to report it anyway.
V.V.
Hi Candace, thank you for checking in with us. 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.
james s.
Fake Social Security callers from India are calling and scamming people. They ask for social security and birthday. They treated that they will cut off your social security. Fake calls from 850-303-0074
Mark B.
Thank you, I have had three calls from different parts of the the country (Seattle, New Mexico and Ohio) – the last two numbers used where Ohio 330 776 5729 and NM 575 446 4391
Andrew F.
11/292/2018 Two (2) CALLS FROM 432-301-9232 (McKiff, Texas) Claiming to be SSA saying my # has been
suspended, you NEED to call back. I DID NOT!! No doubt
a scam!!
V.V.
Hi Andrew, 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.
john
social security SCAMMER PHONE #19156133103 CALLED 11/28/2018 3:09cstime
V.V.
Hi John, 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.
Dennis H.
Hi, I was recently telephoned on my mobile device and the person on the other end calling from Los Angeles, CA says that my soc# has been stolen and I needed to call back immediatley. So not knowing the validity of the call I phoned right back only to be hung up on several times. Here are the numbers, which I’m sure they’re on a dialer, (323)319-4454 & (323) 319-8530.
V.V.
Hi Dennis, 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.
Loren H.
Someone called from 209-418-7980 and left a message about problems with my Social security number. When I returned the call, I heard many voices in the background like a call center. They asked me a series of questions: how to spell my name, what time did the initial call came in, and then asked to verify my social security number. I told them I didn’t feel comfortable giving them that info. The woman said, “Okay” and she hung us. I’m sure it was a scam.
R.F.
Hi Loren, 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.
William D.
imposter call from Social Security Administration notifying a suspension of benefits and to call 650-263-7482.
R.F.
Hello William. 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!