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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Katheryn G.
I keep getting phone calls saying that I am going to be arrested and prosecuted for either my social security or medicare. Now I have not responded to any of these calls, but one left a message with a phone number, so I am reporting that number: 210-666-9591. I am so sick of these calls and all the other scam calls I get virtually every day. My son says they target the elderly; sorry, just
venting. Thanks.
R.F.
Thank you for sharing, Katheryn. 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. 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.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
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 (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.
Sherina S.
Hi, my name is Sherina Beth Stone and I’m a victim of a scam that was sent to me through Facebook. I was told by a friend of mine to text (305) 762-9027 and that they are a nonprofit organization that works with the government to help people in need. The friend who sent me this goes by James Pilipovoc on Facebook. I trusted him and did as he suggested. I even gave the people he said to text my information because they said they needed it to send me $85K. At first they said I wouldn’t need to do anything else to get it, but then they said that I would need to get 5 $100 iTunes cards. I told them that because of NY finances I couldn’t get them. They then tried to hack into my phone until I told them I would get the police involved. Then they took my Facebook account and it is the only way I can get ahold of my kids since they don’t live with me. They said if I want it back I will pay for it after I and my boyfriend told them I wanted it back and back to the way it was before they hacked into it. Please help me. I am in desperate need. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sherina Beth Stone
V.V.
Hello Sherina. We are sorry to hear about your experience. See our Blog Post Don’t Be a Scam Victim for important details on what you can do.
Barbara D.
Fraud. I got a call this morning. The lady said she was from SS and Medicare to update my info for the new card. I gave her the info. THEN, this afternoon I got a call…same lady…same number…1-866-414-2020. When I called it back, the recording told me “we’re sorry, your call did not go through, would you please try again.” It is FRAUD. I gave the lady information this morning. Dumb me!!!!
barbara g.
I have received two calls this AM saying my SS number has a claim against it and to call 915 603 5299 for assistance to handle this I have never used fraud so I know this is a scam
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Barbara. 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 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 (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.
gina c.
Got a phone call about my social security number being involved in illegal affairs. Threatened that I would loose my social security benefits. +12403561806
R.F.
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). Thanks!
Carl T.
Carl Tarkington is my name, I have had issues that are still unsolved at social security office, letters date sameday stating opposite responses!
Weeks I got phone call stating my number involved in illegal transactions, they are voice messages and saved!
One number track to Maryland as it should, the local offices can’t resolve issues already, plus money continues to come up missing from Direct Express, 7 fraud claims I can’t file because wrong info, there is no office and when switched to fraud, it is never ending circle of prompting!
Even issued a check by local I could not cash, says it could not be verified!
903/432-3025!
50,000 to 80,000 dollars since2014
HELP!!!
Augustine
Phone number 9293144287 keeps calling my phone saying if I don’t give them my personal information and last 4 of my SS number my social security will be in jeopardy. They are calling me every hour, how do I make them stop?? Thank you
R.F.
Hello Augustine. 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. 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.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
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 (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!
Stephen D.
Hi, just wanted to let you know I received a call from the following number (210-591-7643) purporting to be social security official office. Seemed fairly obvious this is a phishing scam in case you wish to investigate.
Deborah E.
At 1: 45 today August 14, 2018 I received a call from someone saying they were with the Social Security Office and that my SS number may have been compromised. I was told to call the following number (240) 830-1960 to correct the problem. Do I need to come in to the office to clear up this problem. Concerned, Deborah E. Steranka
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Deborah. 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. 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.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees. 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, again!
Mark S.
I got called by a scammer asking me to call 210-969-9782 because of pending legal action on my SS account.(My phone said it was a San Antonio number.
R.F.
Hello Mark. 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. 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 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may -also- report this type of information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Charles M.
Received a phone call from 347-566-7422 claiming to be the Social Security administration fraud department it was clearly a scam. I have no idea if this information is useful to you but hopefully the correct agency will shut them down as I’m sure they are taking a vantage of plenty of hard-working Americans .
please feel free to contact me if you need any further information regarding this scam call and I can be reached at 612-280-2100 .
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Charles. 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. 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 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 (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.