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.)
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: Office of the Inspector General, OIG, SSN
See CommentsAbout the Author
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Comments
Comments are closed.
L. E.
call from: 832/403-3401
callback number left: 800/674-9869
Social Security threat to me
V.V.
Hi There. Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
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.
Scott
I have received 5 calls in past two days warning of pending SSN suspension unless serious case is resolved. First 4 calls from unknown number, last from 201-701-9430, Ridgewood, NJ. The recorded voice identifies herself as Lisa Williams, officer for SSA.
V.V.
Hi Scott. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
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.
Syd
I am got multiple phone calls regarding my SS# being suspended due to unusual activity. I know these are phishing or scam call. One time I answered the call and someone on the other end sounded like Indian man / or one who speaks with Indian accent answered. When I asked to tell me who they called and I refused to give my name, he cursed me and hung-up. Call came from the number 1-858-816-1602. Please investigate.
V.V.
Hi Syd: Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
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.
Fairy C.
the same number keeps calling my phone claiming they are the soc. sec. office the number is 877-512-3848 that they are soc. sec. number is in jeopardy when I tell them they are not the soc. sec. office they hang up
V.V.
Hi Fairy. Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
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.
Kevin M.
A Family member of mine received a call that was almost exactly the same as the call noted above. It was a recording stating that her Social Security card has been terminated and that she should call 325-400-5756.
That is listed as a scam phone number!!
L.A.
Hi Kevin. 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.
Walter T.
I have recently been receiving several phone messages telling me that my SSAN has been suspended and to call them regarding this matter. I think these calls are computer generated. This is getting very tiring. What can be done to stop this nuisance?
L.A.
Hello 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.
Rhonda R.
I have received multiple phone calls allegedly from SSA. Today at approx. 4;30 PM CST I received a call from number 1-844-871-7847 stating he wanted personal information from me to verify a security breech-with my SS #.
I informed him that I had contacted SSA and asked his name, he stated it was Kevin Smith. Here is what I have observed all of the callers have an accent that may have originated in SE Asia, and the numbers are always different. When I told him that I was calling SSA to confirm that he woks there he hung up! I have had enough, these persons are trying to take advantage of people and should be stopped.
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Rhonda. 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.
Dorothy S.
I get call telling me there will be a warrant for my arrest for social sec. fraud.They don’t ask for a name , just go into their spell. Tired of it. The telephone they called from is315-496-1048
L.A.
Hi Dorothy. 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.
Dorothy S.
I get call telling me there will be a warrant for my arrest for social sec. fraud.They don’t ask for a name , just go into their spell. Tired of it.
A.C.
Hi, Dorothy. 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. Hope this helps.
Corey F.
Yup, I got a voicemail today (05-20-2019) from (262) 235-2543, which is a Minnesota prefix. The robot-voice recording said, “Hello this is the Social Security Dept. The reason for this call is that we have suspended your Social Security number due to suspicious activities. If you want to know more about this, press 1. Thank you.”
I kept the recording, should anyone like to hear it. So stupid. I sure hope people don’t actually fall for this?
A.C.
Hi, Corey. 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 also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. Thanks, again.