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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so I.
Received two calls today from a voice recording indicated due to suspicious activity they were suspending my Social Security number so I just hung up. Here are the two numbers that I was called from:
800-211-6003 and 800-392-4805
L.A.
Hi. 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.
jennie
956-363-9036 called our number today to tell us that an agent needed to speak to us regarding our social security benefits. They also said our social security would be suspended. I knew this was a fraud call, however I am not sure some would not fall for this scam.
L.A.
Hi Jennie. 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.
Janet
Just received a phone call from 833 345 7488 but I did not say anything since it said “not provided” on the called ID…..computer generated voice said “This is Social Security Administration – your Social Security is suspended…..” I hung up. Wish reporting could help stop these attempts a scamming people.
L.A.
Hi Janet. 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.
Peggy F.
Just received call stating I need to call and talk to an agent. Just wanted to pass on the number they wanted me to call 956 363-9036.
I know not to call it.
Thank you
L.A.
Hi Peggy. 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.
Danny M.
IM FROM HUNTSVILLE, AL. I HAVE COPD AND WAS FILE FOR DISABILITY ON IT AND THE WHOLE SOS MUST BE CONCOMITANT, I WAS SENT FOR LOWER BACK NERVE DAMAGE X RAY THEN DENIED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS ! WHY WAS I NOT TESTED FOR MY COPD ? I HAVE BEEN HUNGUP ON IN THE HUNTSVILLE, AL. OFFICE EVERYTIME I CALL ! IM NOT ALLOWED TO EVEN LEAVE KRISTEN ANDERSON A MESSAGE ! I DONT LIKE HAVING TAX PAID WORKER WHO CANT BE REACHED AND SURE DONT LIKE BEING HUNGUP ON ! MY PHONE CALLS TO THIS AL. BRANCH THAT HAS BEEN RECORDED BY YAL , I WILL BE FOIA THEM ! SO MAKE SURE THEY DONT GET REMOVED ! TIME 9;47 ! THIS ACT ON YOUR ADMINASTRATIONS PART IS EITHER NEGLEGENT OF UNPROFESSIONAL AND DONT CARE FOR THE PEOPLE WHOM THEY WORK FOR !
L.A.
Hi Danny. We are sorry that you had difficulty reaching someone by phone. We have forwarded your concern to the proper supervisors. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. On here, we respond to questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Norman D.
How do I report a social security fraud to FBI?
Charlotte M.
Said someone had got a car in my name useing my social security number in Texas and that there was drugs,money,& blood found at the scene. Said his name was Robert Matthews badge # 848756 case # DMC334
# he called from 361-298-3181
He wanted to sign me up for a new as card I told him I would go to our office I had some other things that I need to talk to them about he mentioned the police and I told him that it’s ok my brother works for our local office and he hung up
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Charlotte. 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.
John K.
I got 6 recorded phone calls today claiming to be from the Social Security. They claimed I owed the SS money they want to talk with me and I would prosecuted if I ignored the this call. All calls were from the 202 area code. The last call was from 202-611-7060.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, John. 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.
Patricia H.
We received 2 calls in 2 days of a robo call saying that our ss number has been compromised the numbers are 415-683-0658 – 888-115-6807
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.
DALE C.
I have been called by phone #1-301-287-4239 and given a case number and told to call the investigations department at 206-279-9498 to discuss this problem before it goes to the magistrate.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Dale. 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.