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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Rose A.
RECEIVED A CALL FROM 254-577-4160 COPPERAS COVE TEXAS Said social security number was used fraudulently and to call back ASAP to the same number to prevent further legal actions. Computer generated voice .. I hung up without speaking.
Rose Ann Berryman
Zillah WA 98953
Albert P.
While I am wise enough not to respond to the social security scam callers, having received several such calls thus far, I cant help but to wonder why such calls pass through caller I.D. and remain seemingly untraceable by METRO phone company.
MH
800-093-6213 and 833-516-0264
both scam calls past 2 days !
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, MH. 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.
DA W.
+1 (323) 928-7289 called, and they said they were from Social Security, And they said my Social Security number was used fraudulently, which that could be possible, and then they said that I needed to call a 415 number. The initial call was a recording. So instead of calling the 415 number I called that number back 323 number directly and they answered the phone “social security” and then when I said “really?” They hung up…. here is the number they asked me to dial : (415) 374-3298
FYI
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, DA. 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.
Rick B.
There is no way I have found on ANY government site to REPORT a scam attempt. I was threatened with legal action regarding my social security number if I did no call 707-676-6314. Caller ID said the rob oval that left voice mail came from 530-456-6512
A.C.
Hi, Rick. 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.
Steve W.
Just Received a call from 650-488-8589. Person left message saying my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. call back or press 1 . Sounds like a scam to me.
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Steve. 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.
john l.
I got a call saying my ss number has been cancelled because of a problem. I am not collecting any ssi benefits. They did leave a message
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, John. 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.
Phyllis J.
I have gotten several calls from people saying they are from Social Security and I believe them to be scams. The one I just received was from Louisiana (225)963-5715. That was the call-back number they gave. Can you help stop this? Thank you.
Teresa B.
I received a phone call from (772) 245-0997 asking me to return a call to this number because my social security number was being suspended due to fraudulent activity. If this needs to be reported elsewhere please let me know.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us< Teresa. 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.
Robert T.
I received a SS scam call from phone number #828-865-3062 today 06/03/2019 in the PM. Shut them down.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Robert. 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.