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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Christopher H.
We are receiving suspect robo calls in San Diego from the Social Security Administration. I transcribed the messages below:
“Before we suspend your social security number and stop your benefits call us back as soon as possible. Again this call is from Social Security Administration a number to reach department is 407-663-5248. Thank you.”
Then later this morning another robo call with the same message but a different phone number to call “682-841-6413”.
The caller ID did not display SSA or any person only the phone number.
V.V.
Hi Christopher. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at http://www.oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here http://www.identitytheft.gov/SSA.
KIM
I RECEIVED A CALL FROM (858) 956-8089 TELLING ME THEY ARE WITH THE SS DEPT ASKING FOR MY FULL NAME (DIDN’T GIVE IT) BEFORE HE COULD ASK ANYTHING ELSE I SHUT IT DOWN CAUSE I KNEW IT WAS A SCAM. PLEASE FOLLOW UP AND SHUT THEM DOWN BEFORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE NOT WISE TO THE SCAM.
V.V.
Hi Kim, thank you for letting us know. 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.
Vivian
I just received a social security phone scam from this #. I want to report it to you. The number was
1-352-353-0932
V.V.
Hi Vivian. Thank you for reaching out. 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.
Walter M.
I just received a phone call stating that my social security number has been compromised and I should call this return number or I will be arrested ….800-674-2592
L.A.
Hi Walter. 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.
D. E.
Today I received 4 calls on my answer machines machine rom different states saying there’s a problem with my social security . I don’t answer these calls. I am sick and tired of being interrupted by them. I’m home from the hospital , had a stroke and need my phone in case I need medical help.
V.V.
Hi there. 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.
Lisa S.
I spoke with a nice gentleman in your office and he said to put the phone numbers here. They are as follows 2244337876 they say they are from Libertville, Ill and the next is 2814298952 they are from Porter Texas. I was told they were suspending my SS benefits as a car rented in South Texas (we live no where near there) was wrecked, had my blood in it, and $200K in cocaine.
L.A.
Hello Lisa. 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 help
Faye K.
I receive calls constantly from this phone number 1-847-810-8436 requesting that I call about my social security number. They are saying that they have blocked my number and that they are calling from the social security office. I don’t respond to theses calls
L.A.
Hi Faye. 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.
Corinne S.
I got a threatening robocall from someone claiming to be the Social security administration cutting off benefits and putting a freeze on my ssn ! It happened 5-3-19 at 11:04 AM from
866-931-7075
L.A.
Hi Corinne. 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.
James P.
Received numerous calls from 888-815-0502, 0507, 0512 telling me my SS# has been compromised
A.C.
Hi, James. 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. We hope this helps.
B B.
916-237-5321
This number leaves a message that their is a legal enforcement because of fraudulent activity on our Social Security account.
V.V.
Hi. 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.