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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Gary N.
I want to report what I believe to be fraud connected with my Social Security account. I received a recorded message claiming to be an SS agent saying that they were in the process of attaching my account because of criminal activity connected with it. They left a telephone number, 210 405-9092. I have not replied to that number.
R.F.
Hello Gary, Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Linda B.
I have received two calls today about criminal investigation into my social security number. The call back number is 972 232 9749
R.F.
Thank you for your comment, Linda. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Citizens may also report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
BRUCE W.
Received phone call today at 1:57pm CST from a caller with a Washington DC caller id with phone number 202-838-8027 leaving a voice message that they must be contacted to avoid Social Security problems.
Yvonne D.
I have recieved several call from 408 201 9274 that i dont answer, today 07/12/2018 this numder left a message that the Social Security office had a case against me, and that if i did not call 844 390 3324 they would send a bill collector to my home or work.
There is no dispute or issues between the Social Security and myself.
Believe this to be a scam for money.
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Yvonne. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Also, you may report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Thanks!
momma
I was called by telephone and recorded message said my ssn has an alert and my benefits were going to stop. I was told to call 631-658-1265. I called several times and its picked up on first ring with individuals with heavy accent from India orgin. I know this is scheme. I did more research on ssa.gov and called 800-772-1213 to assure myself it was not true. Please investigate.
Terry
I just received a call, but not from Nancy, its Richard now. I’m sure the return number to call back at is as phony as they come, but it was (713) 364-2074. I figured it was not SSA in the first place.
David N.
Received a bogus SSN call today telling me to call
210-405-8433
R.F.
Thank you for sharing, David. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Jennifer
Just received a call from 877-949-6753 saying the were going to arrest me because of a problem with my social security account. Advised me that if I didn’t call back immediately they would have me arrested.
R.F.
Hello Jennifer. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone. If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks.
Veronica A.
I received a fraudulent phone call on my cell phone from an automated message, stating they’re from the social security administrationoffice. Stating that my social security number was compromised and has been suspended.
I called the number back on my work phone, a gentleman answered with an accent from India, I asked for his information and address, he only said he was from the office of the inspector general, but he would not give his address to me. He wanted my name and phone number and social security number. I told him I wanted his information first and said then, that I should contact a criminal lawyer so I hung up.
Penelope
I received 2 phone calls today, 5/23/18. They were obviously a recording. The caller did not ask for a specific person. The woman claimed to be a Social Security representative and said there was a warrant out for my address and my SS# had been black-listed. I was directed to call 214-613-9117 to address the issue.
R.F.
SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks.