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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Peggy G.
+1 (210) 330-2441
+1 (210) 693-1246
I received phone calls from both numbers warning I would be prosecuted and that my social security numbers had been frozen.
Recorded message and repeated told to press “One”
I blocked the phone numbers but I’m sure they will just roll over to another number for another call.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Peggy. 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.
K W.
Just Recevied a Call from 800-546-3632 Saying they have suspended my Social Security Number and to press 9 for help… I KNOW it’s a scam, but didn’t find many legitimate places online to report it.
A.C.
Hi, K. 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.
George E.
This number is calling me saying there is something wrong with my SS
907-528-8682
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, George. 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.
heather
reporting ssa fraud call. callers said my social security number was suspended and press one to speck with agent. agent right away asked for social security number. 18009048654 here is the number they called from
Del D.
Please update your reply post which provides two year old information. Most of the current scams and issues are not included.
The SS has a responsibility to provided an updated, current forum on ongoing scams, listed separately from all the other social security services. A one stop SS scam site with a list of the current scams, and frequency of calls, and areas most targeted.
The casual response of the SS office, “We do not call individuals regarding SS account services,” does not reach most SS consumers until after they have received a fraudulent request. Too little information, buried in the wealth of SS information, provided too late in the timeline is of little help. Try advancing an SS office dedicated to the issue with direct services, a phone or email site.
Del D.
Received more than three calls from SS regarding the suspension of my social security benefits. Officer Marie Gomez reported the loss and provided a call back number (609) 291 2398. This rather transparent scam call needs to be addressed to protect other SS customers.
L.A.
Hi Del. 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.
Donna M.
I have received two messages with different numbers. I think it is a scam. One from 575-652-6104 says “Enforcement action has been filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity, etc. The other I received this morning from 1-833-568-5222 says “There is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for criminal activities , etc. and to call 833-568-5222.
A.C.
Hi, Donna. 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.
Tyrone H.
I want to know what the hell are you going to do about these people I see that there’s information saying what they’re doing I don’t see any information saying how to stop what you’re doing to stop them I got phone numbers they contacted me four times I need you to do something somebody get off your f****** ass and do something
Frank C.
Sep 25, 2019 at 2:30 pm I received a recorded message from Social Security Administration claiming I had a law suite against my Social Security Account and that I was to call a number, which I did not write down, as soon as possible. The call came from (914) 315-7026.
L.A.
Hi Frank. 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.
Brandy M.
+1 (800) 352-5098
Calls from the number above keeps calling me with Social security scam.
L.A.
Hi Brandy. 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.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Brandy. 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.