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.
Thomas B.
Received phone call from (705) 026-1183.
Recorded female voice said: “This is a recording. An arrest warrant has been issued against you for fraudulent activity. Press 1 to speak to our representative to resolve this matter.”
Robert C.
Three Calls:
1-800-990-7863
1-800-902-2563
1-800-906-8931
All claiming to be SSA and I must speak to an agent.
Big scam
Joseph M.
I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING MY SSI WAS FROZEN AND WILL BE INVESTIGATED AND GAVE ME ANOTHER NUMBER TO CALL. MY NAME IS JOSEPH M. VEHUE MY SOCIAL IS 242-82 -0120 THE NUMBER THAT CALLED IS 888-311-4973. I CALLED THAT NUMBER BACK AND THERE WAS NO ANSWER SO I CALLED SSI AND WAS TOLD TO REPORT IT HERE.
Brian G.
Received a call from 510-859-8797 at 5:04pm ET recording says this is detective Martin from social security office to make me aware that my social security number has been involved in a strange transaction in south Texas and I should press 1 to talk directly to detective or call a 888 number. Wow not strange at all????
Jean L.
There should be a way to email information about fraudulent phone calls. I just got one from 1-628-962-6830.
Emma W.
Just received a voicemail from 844-211-7065, claiming to be social security administration calling about fraudulent usage on of my SSA, and they would be freezing my account. Requested I text them, but I didn’t write down the number. I have blocked this number from my phone.
Kim B.
Received scam from this number
409-202-6725 Please help us get rid of these scam artists.
Rana M.
I am getting a social security scam from this number 512-552-5933 from texas.
Pamela L.
Want to report a Social Security scam call. They’ve called me twice this
Morning
+1 (475) 600-0075
Of course, I’m not calling them back.
I just wanted to report the calls.
A.C.
Hi, Pamela. 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.
Nicholas P.
Received a call threatening legal action about my social security number. Call came from the phone number (334) 564-5548. Please catch and prosecute.
A.C.
Hi, Nicholas. 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.