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 e.
people staighting there from soc and said that they are closing my soc account so I half to talk to this federal agent the phone number is 1-866-752-0973 I new it was a scam cause soc does not call you they will send you a letter and that is what soc staighted to me
James A.
I just had a phone call from 210-343-2133 Elina Brown at the Social Security Administration. She said I have a warrant for drug trafficking ID: 191182 Tarrif: DC7010.
Is this a scam ?
Christine C.
Just got automated call from SSA stating my SS# was being used in the south of Texas. Told me to press 1 to speak to agent. The number that called me was 747 206-6724. Is this a scam? Sincerely, Christine Cocolotta
L.A.
Hi Christine. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. 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 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.
online e.
You’re right, we generally send a letter asking you to contact us if we need more information. Our official agency correspondence will always include our SSA seal and proper letterhead.
https://onlineengineering.in/
Helen S.
Received call saying they was from SS and my account was put on hold because of suspicious activity call was from 866 568 9428 if u call back they answer Ryan SS office
L.A.
Hi Helen. Thank you for checking in with us. What we can tell you is that we do not usually make random calls. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General 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.
Nikki P.
Beware of the number 16572422771
Nikki P.
I was getting these calls on our cell phones… they wanted our social security number,and date of birth,and name. They used vulger sexual language when we confronted their legitimacy, threatened arrest and hung up…16572422771
This was the number….Heavy accents for every one that called us asking for our social security numbers.
Nikki
The petson said they were from social security office and wanted our social security numbers and date of birth and our names. When we asked what for,they used offensive sexual degrading language to us,threatened arrest if we did not comply and give them our social security numbers…
They did this several times and threatened legal fees….weird chatter was heard in background…
The number was 16572422771…
The use of verbal obscenities with sexual threats caused us to be alarmed…
Sounded like calls were outside of U.S,as all the so called agents had thick accents of unknown origin…I could not surmise where they were from,but they were very demanding in wanting our social security numbers and were angry when we did not comply.
L.A.
Hi Nikki. Thank you for checking in with us. We’re sorry, but we do not have a list of all of the possible phone numbers that Social Security uses. What we can tell you is that we do not usually make random calls. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General 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.
Robert G.
I got two calls from SOCIAL SECURITY today telling me law enforcement were coming after me and my SSN was no longer valid and to call: 830-215-8073 One call was at 9AM and the second at 1.54PM (Just now) WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO CONTINUE? I am sure they were reported already.
A.C.
Hi, Robert. Thanks for letting us know. We are aware of the situation. We are informing the public about these calls through TV and radio commercials, our website, our toll free number, as well as our Social Media sites. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. Thanks also for helping us fight fraud.
Karie Z.
New Number reporting that your SS# has been suspended due to fraudulent use…the number that calls is:
18009375127
Be AWARE!
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Karie. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General 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.