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.
virgil j.
I have been the victim of a true name identify theft according to Transunion Credit report. I have filed an attemp to obtain money from a person claiming to be from the SSA. I have reported this to the OIG, but not sure I included the infromation from Transunion in the report. It was a telephone scam from phone number 2107418406 but that might be from a throw away phone. Another number that seems to be related to this one where I have received a scam is 3157879560 from someone claiming to be James Schofield
Calvan N.
Received a call from 915 229-4609 person claimed to be investigating bank accounts, rentals of car & house using my SSN (they asked for my last 4 and my address.) They said those accts. were used for $$ transfers to cartels.
A.C.
Hi, Calvan. Thanks for letting you 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.
Stan
Social Security scam from 1-315-232-6476
Jackie D.
I recieved a few of these phone calls. Once a few years ago, and then again yesterday. Plus left 3 messages on voicemail. Had me pretty worried, ( told me the only way I wouldn’t be getting charged with a crime , would be for to be willing to work with the IBI) and then said he needed my bank account numbers. To prove that I’m not laundering money through 20 different bank accounts. Well needless to say that’s when I hung the phone up!
barbara b.
this is the second time in 2 days I;ve received the scam call about my social security number. they’ve given me 2 differn0t numbers. 321-247-6178 and 561-325-7291. I just listen to get the number and will not call back. I know that the ssi will send a letter if they need to contract me.
A.C.
Hi, Barbara. Thanks 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. Thanks, again.
825-1488 y.
I have received four calls within 24 hours saying that my Social Security has been suspended and I needed to call them back. I did that one time I got an Asian voice that asked if I was somebody with a Hispanic name and I said no and they said we must’ve called the wrong number. The number they called me was 866 825-1488 you need to catch these people
A.C.
Hi. Thanks 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. Thanks, again.
Tanglewood C.
7/11/19
Got a call at work office to call 6183076274 because social security number was being revoked of its privileges when I turn 65.
Michael M.
Just got a call from (646)461-3225 claiming to be from the social security administration. They are claiming my ssn has been frozen do to suspicious acctivity. Then asks me to press 1 to continue on to an investigator. I hung up and checked the phone number and it is from New York but is not any of the 3 numbers provided on their websites. Also I leave on the opposite side of the U.S.
A.C.
Hi, Michael. 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.
Robin H.
I just received a call from 618-307-6274 saying they where locking my SS# as they had detected fraudulent use of my Social Security card When you call them back they didn’t want you to verify your information
A.C.
Hi, Robin. 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. Thanks, again.
Reddy G.
received a spam call today claiming that it is from the Social Security Administration and my benefits will be suspended, and I should call them at 410-346-3931.
Can you please investigate this ASAP? It is the second such call I received in two weeks. Thank you