Frauds & Scams, Guest Bloggers

Inspector General Warns Public about Phone Calls from OIG “Imposters”

March 6, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

woman looking at cell phone 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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About the Author

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

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Comments

  1. Bill

    I received a call from a scammer using the SOCIAL SECURITY HELP LINE.The number used is the legitimate Social Security Help line, But this was not the Social Security Administration. This number was CLONED. I answered the phone because this number is in my contacts, it sounds very real. It tells me my SS benefits WILL BE STOPPED and to press #1. Except, I HAVEN’T SIGNED UP FOR SOCIAL SECURITY YET. I did not respond and the call was terminated from their end. I then called the Social Security Number in my contacts, the same number that showed up when they called me, and they are TWO DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT CALLS. The one from the SCAMMER was a robocall, a female voice with concerned emotions whereas the greeting when I called SS was the government MALE emotionless response I have gotten before. Also, if there really was a problem SS would notify me by snail mail, not a phone call or email. People be warned this is a VERY NEFARIOUS THREAT, especially for the elderly or gullible. Warn your friends and love on about this. I am going to report it to the authorities!

  2. ViinFulton

    I like to report this number as social security Scam
    410-782-0729

  3. Joyce D.

    jdbt1950@yahoo.com
    I am receiving calls from 1 800 777 2141 saying my social security will be cancelled it is a fraud call

  4. Robert T.

    call 833-417-8529 someone will answer. This is FRAUD!!!

  5. Barry

    How do i report scam call

    • A.C.

      Hi, Barry. We take allegations of fraud very seriously at Social Security. To protect your privacy and identity, we don’t have access to your personal information in this venue, but we encourage you to contact your local Social Security office about your fraud concern. You may find our Office of the Inspector General web page useful. You can also call 1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. We hope this helps!

  6. Shirley F.

    I received a second phone call from OIG person who identified herself as Linda this time. She said this is the final reminder from the OIG of Social Security Administration, saying that my Social Security number has been suspended and that she requests me to get back to them so that we can discuss this case. The number that the call came from was Fort Smith, AR – 479-310-9835. I did not return the call, as I suspect this is a scam. The voice appeared to be a recording.

  7. Val J.

    Received a call from 1-516-387-6117, Planedomemanor, NY saying: This is Carolyn Watson of the inspector general’s office of the social security administration. Beware of name and number.

  8. Shirley F.

    I just received a phone message stating that my Social Security number has been suspended and that I call 469-532-3195 (Grapevine TX). I suspect this is a scam. I did not call the number.

  9. Kay W.

    I got a call saying my social is involved in drug activity and my social will be suspended

  10. Kay W.

    I got a call saying they were an officer and my social was involved in drug activity

Comments are closed.