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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DaveL
I just got a call from “Officer Gale Stone” (yes, really LOL!) saying that there had been suspicious activity on my SS account and to call 760 797 7873 immediately. I figure these are all spoofed numbers so they can’t be tracked down., so how do we stop them?
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, DaveL. . 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Jane
Is there an easy place for someone to report basic info if they have received this type of call? I have reported scam calls on IRS website and it was pretty painless but I am not seeing an easy option here after searching for a few minutes.
A.C.
Hi, Jane. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Gayle B.
I keep receiving calls saying it is Social Security and there is going to be legal action taken if I do not call them back. When I called I got a recording saying to leave my message. I have so far received over 4 of these calls.
The number is 760-938-6159.
Chris D.
I got a call “from Lisa Williams” with a department number. The salutation was “thank you and have a blessed day.” Yeah, that sounds legit..
Nell H.
To Whom it May Concern
I am receiving calls from 402-983-9869, claiming to be the Social Security Office. I did not give out any information, for one, I know it was a scam because I was addressed by a ‘go by’ name, not my government name. At any rate, I asked them to identify by their badge number, the person hung up… so I called back, and the person hung up again and I called back again, but they allowed the phone to ring.
However, they called again, the next day. They asked that I identify myself, I replied, you called me, you identify my name—they hung up.
Just reporting.
V/r
Nell Hitchye
kathryn C.
getting phone calls from #760-266-4450 from Tecopa, CA. Apparently these scammers originate in the Bangladesh area and are calling, threatening to cut off my Social Security and other income under my SSN. Wasn’t sure who to report this to, so I’m reporting the call to you. I’ve received several calls from this number.
Paul B.
was called from 410-505-4308 about my social security number and told to call back. I did and you can hear in the background that this is a scam. Need to stop this ASAP so people do not give out information
Clellamay L.
Social security 1099 for 2018 not received. Possible identity theft
A.C.
Hi, Clellamay. We are sorry to hear that. You can request a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for Tax Year 2018 by visiting your personal my Social Security account. You can also contact or visit your local Social Security office. They can assist with a replacement 1099. 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 is helpful.
Stanley B.
I Just received a call from 1-434-205-1854 concerning my Social Security Number and they were investigating my account for illegal activity. It was a canned robocall I believe. I did not call that number above as I was told to do by the message. I am 78 years old and retired military and know most of the Illegals on the internet. Hope you find this fraudster.
Fred F.
received a call from someone<name not mentioned during call stating I was about to be served a summins from SSA and to call the following number?
518-800-4007
A.C.
Hi, Fred. 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.