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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Carolyn V.
I have receive 3 phone calls this morning from a recorded message stating that my some security account has been deleted to call this # immediately. The # is 205-782-1765. Wanted to report this scam so that you can warn others.
L.A.
Hi Carolyn. 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.
Stanley M.
Receiving calls from a computer saying “This call is from the Social Security Administration. The reason you are receiving this call is we just suspended your social security number because we found suspicious activity. If you want to know about this case just press 1 thank you.”
V.V.
Hi Stanley. 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.
Martha M.
I received two phone calls telling me that my Social Security Number has been suspended and all benefits will be cancelled. The phone numbers that they wanted me to call were: 800 305-5329 and 760 475-8615.
V.V.
Hi Martha: 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.
Claudia D.
I have received multiple phone calls from 1-800-814-1524, with a robo message that my social security number has been “suspend”, if you wait on the line and press 1, a person with a Filipino accent answers “Social Security”. I advised the operator to stop calling because I know it’s fraud,and they hang up.
If you call back directly, they try to sell you a vacation on a cruise ship.
V.V.
Hi Claudia: 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.
Sara E.
I have received and am currently receiving multiple phone calls from someone claiming to be social security. the are quick to react and sexually harass and curse out when it is reported that they are commiting a fraud by representing a government agency.
the phone numbers are 858-788-1203
858-788-1213
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Sara. 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.
Bridgett F.
That’s great about the information about SS scams, but what is being done to protect or help. Accounts and miss usage of my Ss# have plagued me for years. I is there any advice or help for me, unbeknownst to me iI was not aware of all the negativity and confusion that surrounds, Battling a rare cancer from 2007 at the age of 37 and surviving my prognosis of 6 months, I still find it hard to breathe a little when II AND MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
Norman S.
I received a call from someone this afternoon (Friday May 24) representing himself as social security telling me of irregularities and to dial 1 if I wanted to discuss it;
I traced the phone number ( 601 793 4556) to a residence in Jackson Miss.Of course, I didn’t respond.
Norman S Porter Colton Ca, 909 227 3864
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Norman. 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.
Sergio S.
It would be great if the information provided with a way to report. It is very good knowing about the scams, however it would be great if a tool to report them so action could be taken against the scammers was available. Amongst other things, these people identify themselves as “social security administration” when one gets transferred, so they are impersonating a federal organization.
V.V.
Hi Sergio, thank you for using our blog. 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.
Judith A.
yes i am receiving scam calls impersonating social security office from this phone# 833-300-4818
V.V.
Hi Judith: 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.
Larry H.
+1 (606) 907-4370 I
Is another scam call claim to be with the Social Security Admin and that they are associated with every other department of the federal gov also. They are claiming that you have reports of fraud and money laundering etc. and that warrants are issued and law enforcement is on the way. Can’t get to far with them as they request more and more personal info as they go along and, when you question them they hang up.
V.V.
Hi Larry. 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.