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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Dick K.
I just received a phone call from “social security” stating that they would stop payments if I didn’t comply by contacting them. Their number is: 307 886-4618
It scares me how many old people fall for this scam. And nobody goes to jail.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Dick. 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
Marjorie P.
someone called me today and said they where from SS. and I gave them my info ,then the call goes dead. So now what do I do?
A.C.
Hi, Marjorie. Keep in mind 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). In addition, you can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). To order your credit report go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. For more information, check out our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps.
Janet F.
This morning I received two phone calls on my I-phone from the number 1-800-747-7787. I answered the second call and the “person” on the line started talking about a problem with my social security number. I immediately hung up and when I went to check my recent calls, I realized that yesterday I had received four calls from that same area code, with which I have no connection.
A.C.
Hi, Janet. 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.
Aulora L.
I have received phone calls from a Texas area code starting there are fraudulent charges attached to my social security number and to call back before legal action is taken. The phone number is 210-729-2989. Obviously the government doesn’t make calls regarding a person’s official information.
ALICIA P.
i received call from someone from ssa 1-888-231-3626,said leak in ss account and call before we file legal procedings. i think this is scam
alicia p kiechle
612-201-7459
A.C.
Hi, Alicia. 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.
Mukesh P.
Received a call from 813-287-1746 posing as a SS employee and asked me to verify my zip code. Knew my name & cell number. When I refused, threatened to dispatch law officers to arrest me and seize my assets! Then hung up when I asked him what time they would be arriving to arrest me.
Please go after these guys – most likely from India.
A.C.
Hi, Mukesh. Thanks for letting us know. Keep in mind 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.
DEBORAH F.
I HAVE RECEIVED PHONE CALLS TELLING ME THAT I HAVE 4 THINGS AGAINST ME AND MY SS NUMBER WILL BE SUSPENDED AND WILL BE TAKEN TO JAIL. THE CALLS HAVE COME FROM MANY DIFFERENT NUMBERS AND STATE. i SPOKE WITH THE OFFICE FOR SS AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FRADULENT AND TO CALL OIG WHICH I HAVE DONE. PLEASE RESPOND AND TELL ME IF THIS IS TRUE
A.C.
Hi, Deborah. 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 S.
Received a call where they left a message saying they were from the SSA and that our benefit were going to be suspended. The call came from the phone # 325-387-8409. Area code 325 is Abilene, Texas.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Harry. We have been warning the public. 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.
Kristin T.
Yes my name is Kristin I need to know who is texting me from this number 1-405-561-2145 I believe it’s loan scammer but he is off Instagram my number is1 (803) 317-7514 thanks ?
A.C.
Hi, Kristin. We do not usually make random calls or texts. 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.
Carolyn L.
Hello,
I like to report a Scam that happened today (3/1/2019), the caller “William F. Langston” called me today claiming that my SS# has been compromised and that I need to call this number (610-487-0395) to straightenit out, the caller left a message that showed on my CID as coming from Collgeville PA, please tell me what can be done to stop this scammer from calling me, thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Carolyn. Thanks for letting us know. 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.