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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Richard
Got a phone call today, a robo call with the Social Security Administration recording stating an issue with my #. Press 1 for more info and when I did, nothing for several minutes and I just hung up and blocked it.
The number is a strange area code, 188-872-5271
Has to be some kind of SS scam.
J.Y.
Hi Richard. 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.
L.A.
Hi Richard. 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.
DAN L.
Received call claiming my social security account has been suspended and benefits terminated. I made the selection on the keypad to talk to an investigator about this. Despite the fact that the phone call came from a toll-free number (800) 700-3921, I asked if I could call them back when I had more privacy because I was at work and was given (855) 677-1646 (a toll number). Thought I might call back later and pitch them some randomly made-up numbers/details after I have a few cocktails this evening. The person I’m supposed to ask for is Brenda Walters. Reminds me of the note I wrote from a woman supposed to be my mother when I was 13 years old so I could buy cigarettes. The name I made up was Bernice Walters. Stores would do this in the ’80s. I got caught writing a note with my real mother’s name on it previously, so . . . so strange that the names are so nearly matched. I’ll never hear the last name Walters and not thing “fraud” in the future.
Linda H.
1800 851–590 sent me
_______________ one thank you this call is from the Department of Social Security administration the reason you have received ___ phone call from our department is to inform you that we just suspend your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one thank you…”
A.C.
Hi, Linda. 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.
curran p.
Received a call from 800-526-7881 telling me that my SSN number was being used and someone is illegally using my information to buy things. They asked me to verify my SSN– I did not give them my information as I am sure this is a scam.
A.C.
Hi, Curran. 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. We hope this helps.
Ron M.
Received a call from organization claiming to be S/S office . Called them back , discussion wasnt nice ( several cuss words exchanged )
Have the phone # 833-323-0343
Thank you !
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Ron. 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.
Kayla
I received an automated phone call stating my SS# have been compromised, and gave this number to call 216-245-4785, I figured it was fraud, I called and you can hear background noise, sounds like a call centert
L.A.
Hi Kayla. 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.
ted c.
Phone Scam:
646-583-8920
This call is from the Department of Social Security administration. The reason you have received this phone call from out department is to inform you that we just suspended your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity so if you want to know about this case just press one,. thank you
Stephen B.
We received the same threatening phone call claiming my SS was cut off from 321-247-6178.
Robert S.
I received a call from (646)257-8786 which said something like “my ssn had been compromised and my number has been cancelled. If I want to know more about it press 1.
L.A.
Thank you for letting us know about these calls, Robert. 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.
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