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.
Lawrence S.
I have been receiving robocalls from Brownsville, TX advising that my SS # has been suspended. The phone number ID’d is 956-435-0541.
L.A.
Hi Lawrence. Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Ruby S.
Rec’d call from 1-800-780-7834 4 times stating that my social security has been suspended due to suspicious activity, to call them back.
Of course, we didn’t call back but, this is not ok!
A.C.
Hi, Ruby. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Debbie S.
My husband received two calls regarding his social security being “suspended”. These are the numbers the calls originated from. 1-242-962-0599. and 1-242-001-3588
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Debbie. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
marilyn m.
we have received 5 calls saying we are going to be arrested for social security fraud… we are asked to call back
A.C.
Hi, Marilyn. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
lisa b.
Show security number on immediate basis as your social security number has been found under suspicious trail of illegal activities. The issue is time sensitive and urgent. We hope to hear back from you before we proceed further with suspension of your social security number. The moment you receive this message we need you to get back to us on 786-209-3516. I repeat 786-209-3516. Thank
you.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Lisa. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Mitchell M.
Here’s another one I just got from “Social Security” that my SSN has been suspended, etc. 1-800-034-6825 Track them down!
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Mitchell. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Peter L.
I was called on several prior occasions an today 9/11/2019 @12:05 PM from 281-661-8672, Houston, Texas. I was informed that unless I called them back at the above number my social security & my wife’s would be canceled because they detected that I was using my account for illegal purposes. Put a stop to these people.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Peter. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Mrs K.
Received my 2nd scam call today for Social Security Administration. When I called back they answer Social Security Administration. When I asked for the persons name, they replied with my last name as if this was their first name.
the Number is out of Granville, NY
(518)345-3568
L.A.
Hi Mrs. Kapica. 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Mary S.
I got a scam Social Security call recording on my cell phone about suspicious activity on my Social Security number. It came from 800-441-6433. I did not answer and blocked this caller.
Mary P.
I received a call supposedly from Social Security threatening to suspend my account because I did something criminal. He IDed himself as John Miller,
ID #. DX542054. The caller ID said he was Der Hernandez. phone #
512-216-4206. I refused to give him any info when he asked for my name.