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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Brian B.
I received a call from an India speaking woman 201-801-8226, saying they are going to freeze my social security number because their have been suspicious activity with it so I hung up phone cause I knew it was a scam, but they did happen to have my SS- number and address.
A.C.
Hi, Brian. 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 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.
Miranda G.
Where should we report an imposter phone number that pretended to be calling from SSA?
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Miranda. 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.
Randolph C.
Received a message on my cell phone reportedly from the Social Security Administration. Knew it was a scam and called back. The NUMBER is 760-266-4361. They said my SSN was associated with an automobile in South Texas that contained 32 kilos of cocaine. Said an arrest warrant was being issued for me. Said it might not be me, but will need to clear my name with $$$$. A quick google search says the number is a SSN scan. Please do something about this.
Karol F.
Received this VM today. “The number for you to call the SSA back is 888-752-1028 the reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there’s a legal enforcement action filed on your Social Security number for fraudulent activity so before this matter goes to the state court house and before you get arrested if you need any information or have any question kindly call us back at 888-752-1028 thank you…”
V.V.
Hi Karol. Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
George P.
10 AM on 4/18/2019 I received a computer generated call purporting to be from SSA, stating there was an issue with my SS#, and to call (203) 463-2877. I did not call the number. I sent you the number because you may want to trace the number.
V.V.
Hi George. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
Robert H.
Got a phone call at 9:15 AM Thursday April 14 , 2019 claiming they were calling from the Social Security Administration Office saying they need me to call them back or they would have to cut my benefit payment . Didn’t give a name , just said they were from Social Security Office . Phone number is 443-897-5188 and my answer machine shows Baltimore Md. as the origin of call .
V.V.
Hi Robert. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
Gloria
Have received about 4 calls today stating some suspicious activity has been detected on my social and it has been suspended. Then they ask to press 1. I do not answer calls if I do not recognize the number. I have blocked all 4 numbers, they continue to call from different numbers. Then the voicemail is under UNKNOWN.
Just some info… All numbers begin with (888)810 then last 4 have been -0821/0802/0812 and 0824.
L.A.
Hi Gloria. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or 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. We hope this helps.
henry
just received a call form 760-266-4361 stating they are Social Security and that there is a arrest out for me unless i pay money to them.
A.C.
Hi, Henry. 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 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.
dennis
ssa called me from (903)224-6894.wanting my name,dob,ssn…SCAM..Please trace this number and lock the jerks up!
A.C.
Hi, Dennis. 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 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.
Brandon C.
I keep getting fraudulent phone calls from these people that say they’re Social Security department I called back and they want to bunch information they tell me that they have a lawsuit against me this is fraud and I started swearing at me and called me names and very rude and obscene things I would like something done about this please this is the number they called me from1-888-432-3981
A.C.
Hi, Brandon. 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 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.