Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number

April 2, 2019 • By

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Last Updated: April 2, 2019

The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning citizens about a caller-ID “spoofing” scheme misusing the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) Fraud Hotline phone number. The OIG has received recent reports of phone calls displaying the Fraud Hotline number on a caller-ID screen. This is a scam; OIG employees do not place outgoing calls from the Fraud Hotline 800 number. Citizens should not engage with these calls or provide personal information.

SSA and OIG employees do contact citizens by telephone for official purposes, and they may request the citizen confirm personal information over the phone. However, the calls do not appear on caller ID as the Fraud Hotline number of (800) 269-0271. Also, SSA and OIG employees will never threaten you for information or promise any type of official action in exchange for personal information or payment.  In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA or OIG, you should report that information to the OIG online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report or by calling (800) 269-0271, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams:  https://identitytheft.gov/ssa

See the full advisory at the OIG website.

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About the Author

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

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Comments

  1. Roberta C.

    Received 4-5 calls between 7/12/19 and 7/15/19 from various Areal Code 202 numbers. One # called twice showing name of Wasser Jiffer (202 746 6664) leaving a message “Fraudulent Activities on file”. Second #202 755 4056 left same message. Other #s are 202 768 8866 202 768 8606 were hangups. Very upsetting

    • L.A.

      Hi Roberta. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.

  2. Carolyn C.

    I recieved a call from the Maritta Social Security office. It said that my Social Security number had been suspended for fraudulent activity. It asked me to return the call but I did not. I did not give them any information. I blocked the number from my phone. I wanted to let you know. Thank you.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Carolyn. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. Thanks, again.

  3. Evelyn C.

    I received two phone scam calls. The first asked for my ss# which I didnot give. I hung up on them. The second call was a different person on the line. He told me that I was being sued for having fraud actions on my ss account, same as the first caller. He then said my SS had been cancelled until the matter could be cleared up. He said that if I wanted further info to press one. I then hung up.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Evelyn. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. Thanks, again.

  4. Paul C.

    I have received several calls saying my social security number was suspended. I was given this number to call. 1-512-333-6652. I have not called this number. I have tried to called our local social security office for 4 days now and no one answers. I called the SS office in Bogalusa, La. Maybe the line is disconnect, I don’t know.
    How can I find out if my SS number has been suspended? I sure if it was, I would have gotten some explanation from the SS office by mail. I think this may be some sort of scam to get my SS information from me.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Paul. Keep in mind we do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

  5. Sandra K.

    I was fraudulently miss use of funds taken from me out of my Direct Express account of 907.00. What can I do?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Sandra. We’re sorry to hear about the issues you are experiencing. For your security do not have access to information about your account in this venue. We can only advise you in regards to your Direct Express debit card. To discuss the activity on your account you’ll need to continue contacting your financial institution. Please contact Direct Express Customer Service at 1-888-741-1115. If that’s the number you already called, and you are still having problems, you can log into your card account at https://www.usdirectexpress.com/ or you can call the Direct Express card toll free Customer Service Department number on the back of your card. We hope your situation is resolved soon!

  6. M E.

    Received a scam call from a “officer of SSA, advising soc sec number is suspended, call 1 806 370 2801, Lubbock, Texas, to call them back”. I have a restricted number. I called them back. They sound really legit but when I wouldn’t give any info, they hung up on me.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

  7. Cheryl L.

    11888849938 Number calling saying they are sosial security. They ask for name then ask for number. I give partial name they reply with full name. Then ask for number I say you already have it. They hung up after that.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Cheryl. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. Thanks, again.

  8. DONNA B.

    I have tried to report a fraud call about SSA. However, your system just gives me the run around to report the issue. The fraud number is 520.595.0734. I called and the person I spoke with is from India or Pakistan.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Donna. Thanks for letting us know. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

  9. Jon C.

    Received a phone call claiming my ss number was compromised and told me to call 8032022125 ,came up as New Braunfel , Tx. I did not call back

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Jon. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. Thanks, again.

  10. DELORES W.

    I HAVE GOTTEN CALLS ON MY PHONE MESSAGE SAYING MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD AND NUMBER HAVE BEEN SUPENED THE NUMBER USED IS 1 866 931 7075 I KNEW THIS WAS FAKE THE CALL CAME ON JULY O6 2019 AT 1204PM

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