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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Linda S.
Just received what I believe to be a fraud call. They said they were from SS office and there was a suspicion activity’s and asked my SS #. I refused and they argued
I hung up and called 1 800-772-1213.
Eric P.
Someone called me from this number saying they were from the Social Security Administration and that my social security number had been used 1888 231 3626
wes c.
received several calls from 1-866-404-8876 robo voice claiming SS # shut down because illegal activity or some such things. Please check this # out as a scam
A.C.
Hi, Wes. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Mary J.
I would like to report a scam phone call I received yesterday. I have called the numbers to report and have not been able to speak with anyone. I have the number, alleged name and badge number of the caller. When I went on line to file the complaint it is for fraud not scam calls. How do I report this unnerving scam call.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Mary. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Dane E.
A number of text messages and phone calls were given to me stating they were from the Social Security Office and that legal proceedings were set against me.These are the different phone numbers they use:805 262 7578 and 707 985 8039 and 520 367 2283.
A.C.
Hi, Dane. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
bob c.
keep get calls from someone who say they the S.S. and there someone who trying to get my S.S. and if I don’t call their # I’ll be put in jail they have 2 # 1 480 409 4589 1 310 929 7142 I know they are crooks
A.C.
Hi, Bob. You are correct. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Michael K.
Received a suspicious call (caller id 800-772-6270) stating they were from the ss office, and needed information??????
A.C.
Hi, Michael. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Harry
Got the spam call today from 469 215 7914
A.C.
Hi, Harry. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
JOSE F.
Hello. My mame is José Fosado and today (2/25/2019) I get 2 calls from 1 800 722-2729 telling me that my SSN will be cancelled for fraudulent activity. Can you please veriffy if the 800 number really belong to the Social Security Administration? Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Jose. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. Thanks, again.
Cyd C.
I received a call that my Social Security is being stopped because someone else is using my SS number. The phone number came in from Avalon, NJ and is 609-796-4249. I hung up on them but you may want to check them out.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Cyd. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.