Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast 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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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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cecilia m.
I have been received a call from this number 5128555203 saying that my SSN has been used for a fraud and my benefits are in danger to be cancelled.
L.A.
Hi Cecilia. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
KDS
Voicemail I received said I would be arrested within 48 hours if I didn’t call this number back.,. 9782266320…
It was called back they were claiming to be Social Security, they wanted my name, number and other info which wasn’t given of course! Called their bluff!!
L.A.
Hi KDS. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Tina S.
I have been receiving automated calls that my social security number has fraudulent activity so my number has been suspended. I assumed it was a scam so I never responded. However, I tried to cash a check 2 days ago and it was declined due to my social security number. Can someone please direct me on how to find out about my social security card?
L.A.
Hi Tina. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind 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 online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). In addition, you can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) online or call 1-877-322-8228. For more information, check out our publication titled “Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number.” We hope this helps.
Sharon O.
I received a call on Sunday evening saying my personal information has been compermised and the caller told me my ss#, address, phone#, email address. I didn’t say he was correct or not I just hung up. What do I do now
A.C.
Hi, Sharon. Thanks for letting us know. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Deborah G.
I received a call from 866-656-7608 – Person calling themself Jason with SS ID #CS106. He had my home address and threatened that local police would be coming to my home for fraudulaent use of my SS #
A.C.
Hi, Deborah. Thanks for letting us know. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Kenneth f.
Had to voicemail left
JOANN D.
CALL MESSAGES ON MY MACHINE;
10/22/19 12:23 PM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
2:50 PM
3:35 PM
10/24/19 2:50 PM
REASON TO INFORM YOU; ACTION OF LEGAL INFORMENT FILE OF SS ON FRAUD PROCEDING
CALL 917 634 8752
ALWAYS THE SAME MESSAGE WITH REPEATED INFO
A.C.
Thank you for letting us know, Joann. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Linda B.
I get three phone calls a day I’m Social Security that I was in trouble and they’re going to put me in jail but they are foreigners one told me I was a drug dealer being rude what can I do about the phone calls
L.A.
Hi Linda. Thanks for letting us know about these calls. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Mary S.
I just got a call from this number 877-541-0566 statement he was an officer with the SS Office and wanted my ss number. I told him he was a fraud and I would be reporting him. He hung up on me. I work for an attorney and try to call them back from this office number and they wouldn’t answer there phone. What can be done with they kind of calls. Some people will respond to them and they will steal from these people.
So much fraud now.
L.A.
Hi Mary. Thank you for letting us know. Keep in mind that we do not usually make random calls. If you or anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. We hope this helps.
Quetta S.
I received a call today on my cell phone then left on voice mail from a male stating he was from SS office.
( 410) 546-8110. The male said his name was Mr. Shaw from the local SS office here in Salisbury, MD 21804 and that they had a cancelled appointment and wanted to see if they could assist me earlier. I received the call again this time I did not answer my cell.
L.A.
Hi, Quetta. We’re sorry, but we do not have a list of all of the possible phone numbers that Social Security uses. What we can tell you is that we do not usually make random calls. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.