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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Kat
210 666 9864. Pakistani accent English name claiming criminal activity with my social security account. Rude idiot on the phone.
cheryl c.
I know I am not in trouble for any kind of social security fraud as the message said, I dont evern get social security!
The number they dialed me from was 512-879-1988
cheryl c.
I just got a call from a automated person saying I need to call a number about them about to press charges on me for SS faud. I hung up. Then 10 mins later same call came in saying I have charges on me for SS fraud and to call the number again. The number is 512-879-1988
I did a reverse look up on that number and it comes up as a private number
John B.
I received a voice mail message on my land-line telephone today (9/21/2018) that stated the following: “This is a suspension notice against your social security number by the Federal Crime & Investigation Department. We need to talk to you. Call 430-755-0283”.
V.V.
Hi John, thank you for checking in with us. 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 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 you have 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
James A.
Got A call at work from a Deputy Director Samantha Hernandez at 240-391-3394 claiming my ssa number will be suspender unless I call back. Ignored the call and am checking with you.
V.V.
Hello James, 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). Individuals may also report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Cathy Z.
call from 240 704 6223 Social Security claiming my social has been used in illegal activity.
V.V.
Hi Cathy, thanks for reaching out to us. 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 is pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request to confirm personal information over the phone.
If you have 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 us toll free at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available to speak with you from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Fran M.
I received an phone call with the following message:
And due to that we have in order to suspend your social security number right away from Law and enforcement Department and also to freeze your bank accounts before we go ahead and do that. If you need any further information about it kindly call back at 410-907-7989. Once again that’s 410-907-7989. Thank you.
John
Please disregard my last post.. that # was police # I just called to report. The scam# I received was 240-633-7332 from, Maryland..
R.F.
Hi John! 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.
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 receives a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks.
John
Social Security Scam. From: Maryland. Phone. #714-562’3901. Sep,12 2018
John
Sorry: disregard last I gave wrong #. Maryland scam was # 240-633-7332
DENOAL W.
I received a telephone call and voice mail from 240-288-9122 stating that my SS # was being used in illegal activity. They gave a number to call but I do not remember it. They said that if I did not call they wished me luck as the things that were going to happen to me unfolded.