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. Benny S.

    Dear Sir,
    I received a call from a recording stating I had local issues with the social security . They directed me to return their call at ‭+1 (360) 419-6832‬. I know this is a scam and I pray you folks can put them out of service.

    Sincerely,
    Benny S. Romano MSG.
    Retired US Army

  2. Rebecca L.

    Automated call saying that I have been reported and an arrest warrant was issued for my ss number which was from 202-697-9205 Scam

    • V.V.

      Hi Rebecca: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.

      If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.

      Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.

  3. Lisa

    I’m receiving calls from people saying that something is coming up with my social security number and if I don’t do something about it now bad things are basically going to happen to me the number that is calling me and telling me to call them back is:
    1-530-433-1749. And yes they do sound legit until you call them back and call them frauds and criminals then they get upset and hang up on you.

  4. Lynne L.

    I have been called twice on my cell phone with a message that “from the Social Security Department” saying that my social security number has been cancelled due to “suspicious” behaviour on my account.
    I know this is a SCAM and would never call back. The phone number used to call me is 332-877-5918. In case this helps find these creeps!!!!

  5. Don H.

    Received a call purportedly from Social Security telling me to return the phone call to avoid legal proceedings. 210 987 8505

  6. VAIBHAV K.

    ‭+1 (866) 431-9984‬ – Person on this number was trying to get my information as a SSN employee.

  7. Teresa W.

    approximately around 1:00pm 3/13/19, I received a call from 800-766-7552 (a recorded message) saying they were with social security and there was a problem with my account……….I immediately hung up.

  8. Susan S.

    Call received from a Danbury, Ct area code stating there were irregularities with my social security and someone could be accessing my account. I asked them how did I know that they were social security and they hung up.

  9. Marie

    Received several calls saying they are from the social security office and that my information has been taken and they have suspended my account. The phone # they call from is 866-404-8356

  10. Marie

    Received several calls saying they are from the social security office and that my information has been taken and they have suspended my account.

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