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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Andrew D.
On October 25, 2019 at approx. 1806 hrs I received a call on my home phone number from a recorded voice stating to be Amanda Byrnes. She said she was from the SSA and that my SS# was being used in Southwest Texas. She said I was to push 1 to talk to an agent. I did not push 1 and hung up.
Regards,
A.C.
Hi, Andrew. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind that 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 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.
Alex &.
Today we received two phone calls with a female pre-recorded voice message Identifying as
1. the social security administration, dept. of federal criminal and investigation and we need call (201) 623-3984 – this call came from “Alvin, TX (201) 623-3984”
2. the social security administration and stating this is to inform us of “suspicious activity on your social” and we need to call (281) 756-7911. (I did not get where this call originated)
L.A.
Hi Alex. 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.
Lisa R.
Received a pre recorded call from 15174413878, said I had a warrant and all sorts of stuff
Richard M.
Yes, this issue is very real. They almost got me about a month but by the time I got to Target (wanted gift cards), I just hung up. I went to my city police station and they confirmed it was a scam as Social Security won’t call your mobile phone.
Just received a call today from a 800-325-9345 at my work, pressing 1 to get connected to an Social Security agent, could immediately tell it was a Call Center in India posing as Social Security but didn’t say anything, just let him keep saying “Hello”.
These people must be the lowest scum of the earth to take advantage of people to “steal” their hard earned money!
L.A.
Hi Richard. 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.
Pat
Got a call from phone #1-800-201-6742 saying my ss card number has been used south of the border and I needed to call back or press 1. I knew it was fraud so I pressed 1 and told the man I know they were frauds and I was reporting them to FBI and he made a um sound and hung up.
L.A.
Hi Pat. 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.
Anne-Marie P.
I received a call stating that there was a criminal activity on my SIN number.
The person said his name is Victor Frank, badge # 742609310 and the case # is ID L805MY79G50.
I did not give him any information.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Anne-Marie. 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.
Aaron W.
Received call today advising there was problem with my social security and I should press one to obtain further information. I did not do so as Iam sure it was a scam in the works. I did retain the phone number from where the call originated and it is 1-800-463-4900. It was a recorded message.
L.A.
Hi Aaron. 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,
Thomas M.
979-429-4982 Continually calls and threatens me with imprisonment, it’s a some kind of a social security scam and I play with the collar all the time and it always comes from a different number but this number seems to be continuous
Sammiedean S.
I received a call from855-285-6010 stating that my SSN was “suspended.” I know it is a scam, but maybe you can pursue these criminals.
Steffani H.
Was called today around 12:30 pm est. Robo call, stating there was a problem with my Social Security Account and I needed to call another number for more information. Initial call phone number 216-425-8967