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.)
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: Office of the Inspector General, OIG, SSN
See CommentsAbout the Author
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Comments
Comments are closed.
Patricia a.
1-888-251-2241 is impersonating social security.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Patricia. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
April E.
My father got from a supposed social security saying his number was used in Florida.
He gave no information.
1-888-561-0374.
A.C.
Hi, April. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
David
I received a call from 812-813-4363 directing me to call the SSA.
A.C.
Hi, David. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Roland C.
I received a fraudulent telephone call at 10:21 a.m. on 12/13/2019 to my cell telephone number 601-201-4520 from 1-800-465-6697, they requested that I speak to a representative. I hung up the phone and immediately called your office. Was advised I could report this to your web site at oig.ssagov, (I could not access this web site with this identification), or hold for minimum 45 estimated time to speak to a representative. I am therefore reporting it here, hoping that it gets to the correct department. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!N I can be reached on my wife, Marsha Lewis’ cell phone 601-316-8316 since I am hard of hearing. Please call that number, and we will talk with you.
A.C.
Hi, Roland. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Steven C.
Good grief! Why isn’t there an email address where I could send a copy of a phone message ssn scam I received. It’s 2019 for crying out loud and you have no email reporting address. Ridiculous!
RGh
+1 (866) 498-0088
“To inform you that we have ___ in order to suspend your social _____________ because we have found fraudulent activity on your __________ get more information about this case please press ___ __ _________ to speak with one of our _______ don’t disregard this message thank you hello we have been trying to reach you this call is officially a final notice from ___ ______ ________ administration to inform you that we have ___ __ order to suspend your social ______________________ we have found a fraudulent activity on your social __ get more information about this case please press ___ __ ___ mediately to speak with one of our _______ don’t disregard this message thank you hello we have been trying to reach you this call is officially a final notice from SFA _______________ administration to inform you that we have ___ __ order to suspend your social ___ _________ because we have found a fraudulent __________ on your social can get more information about this case please press ________________ to speak with one of our _______ don’t disregard this message thank you…”
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Melodie F.
I just received a fraudulent call claiming to be from Social Security. The number is (281) 104-9519. It is obviously a scam. They said my number has been used illegally in Texas. So I just hung up.
Ram
I received a phone call today from phone number 803-592-6986. I was away from the phone so could not answer. The caller left a voice mail. here it is
“it is after your SSN there is going to be blocked intending your serious attention. Ignoring this will be intentional second attempt to avoid initial acceptance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense. This is the final attempt to reach you. To speak to an agent, call 8035926986. I repeat 803-592-6986. Thank you. If you wish to speak with our executive, then press one now. That was invalid entry. If you wish to speak with our executive press one now. That was an invalid entry …”
I know it is fraud related. Do I need to report this to poilice?
A.C.
Hi, Ram. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Michelle M.
I don’t know who to give these to maybe you do,,,,there is a live person that calls me sometimes a man sometimes a lady ,,,they tell me they are from the same office,,,a man today said he was a Sargent and he ask how can I help you and I said your the Texas elective you called me then he hung,,, these are just some over the last month,,,Corvallis Oregon 203-7025…7040….7042…7093….Wilson NC 252-498-1819…..304-5815 [ryden]…948-6897…..heppner or 256-4166-1156…..walterville or 204-8561….8356…8340…..8329…..8559…Jefferson or. 209 -3814……3754….3868….3865….3744…..these start at 7am ,,,,if you’re not who these go to please pass them on… thanks
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Michelle. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
J. M.
Got a call from 833-892-0986 stating it was the S.S. administration and I was being sued for fraudulent activity on my account. Press 1 to speak to a representative. Just thought I would report the number.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.