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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patricia w.
Getting calls that our social security numbers / cards have been compromised and to call them immediately…..the number to call is 1-800-521-0494.
L.A.
Hi Patricia. 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.
Andy G.
I wish to report that I received a “recorded” phone message to contact social security, as there is a lien against me. Gave phone # to call 336-443-9636
L.A.
Hi Andy. 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.
Stephen L.
Another phone number being used in this scam: (713) 258-7155, as of Sept. 24, 2019.
L.A.
Hi Stephen. 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.
Sandy
keep getting calls from 202-641-4699 fake caller, says they are The Social Security Administration
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Sandy. 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.
Forrest R.
I received a phone call this evening from (202)618-4059. The claimed to to represent the Social Security Administration and demanded that I return his call to prevent further “abuse” of my social security number. I know this is a scam, so I called back to see if I could gather any further information. The number turned out to be a “live” number, with a male voice in a south Asian accented English answering my call. I demanded that the individual provide a name and bade # before I would provide any further information. He demurred and insisted that I provide my name. I explained that impersonating a Federal law enforcement official is a felony and if he was really who he claimed to be, then he would provide a name and badge number. He hung up. I mention this only because this time there was somebody answering the phone. Previous calls received on similar scams have been not returnable. I don’t know what you can do, but with luck, enough people will be in touch with your office so that a criminal complaint can be prosecuted. Let me know if I can be of further assistance . fforest.frank@frfassociates.com
A.C.
Hi, Forrest. 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.
Linda M.
I received two calls today from phone #1-800-854-6930.
they said they were the inspector Generals office
wanting information. i lrt thr calls go voice mail.
A.C.
Hi, Linda. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
regina e.
Receiving calls from 330-473-4664 from Millerburg, Oh. They state that they are SSI agents and we have used our SSI # for fradulent practices and if we don’t contact them they will proceed with charges.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Regina. 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.
Jill
Hi,
A person left a voicemail and told me to contact this phone number 725-220-4071 claiming there is a suspicion on my Social Security Number. A crime was committed.
Please contact this number and arrest these people.
A.C.
Hi, Jill. 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.
Ivan
I received a call introducing themself as a SS employee & threatened to cu toff my SS benefits if I did not call & update information.
L.A.
Hi Ivan. 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.
Dennis K.
This morning my wife received 3 calls from Texas (254) but 3 different numbers. Recording Claiming SSN problem, warrant for arrest, to press 1 to speak to an officer. She just hung up on all three.
L.A.
Hi Dennis. 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.