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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Nancy
Just received a call saying my SSN is being suspended. I am assuming it is a scam of some sort. The number was 858-816-1534. Like many others would like to verify that it is indeed a fraud.
L.A.
Hi Nancy. 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.
Steven
Getting a call from different #s saying that some type of fraud using my SSN. Before, it was a local phone #, but most recent was 1-800-975-8398. The voice & everything else sounds fish and sounds like a fraud. But, this is the first time actual 800# was used. Want to verify that this is a fraud.
V.V.
Hi Steven. Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at http://www.oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here http://www.identitytheft.gov/SSA.
Sherrie C.
I keep getting calls from someone who claims to be connected to SSA and that someone has used my number for fraud. The latest call is from 401-356-8751. How can I stop these calls and how do I know if is SSA calling? Thank you. Sherrie Collins
A.C.
Hi, Sherrie. 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. You may call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks. 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.
Rameshchandra
I don’t very good spiking English.my legwege is Hindi and Gujarati.what midel wey I other information.
Debbra A.
I have received 3 calls from 1-800-772-1213 stating they suspect suspicious activity on my account and will cancel all activity if I don’t respond. I have just hung up.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Debbra. 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.
ANA M.
Received a call 1(844)7880589. from Social security telling me that my social security is found in illegal activity and that I should call in the next 24 hours at this number
1(844)7880589. Is this fraud?
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Ana. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Howy S.
Hello my name is Howard Spencer and I’m disabled. Since 6:00A.M. to 4:00P.M. CA time. Been receiving call’s from six different numbers claiming to be from SSA office saying my S.S.I. number is suspended and please push 1 thanks. I’m freaking out.
A.C.
Hi, Howy. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps
Gary J.
Dear General. I just got a telephone call from a Social Security “Officer” saying my Social Security account was about to be closed. The “Officer” demanded that I dial 1-410-500-9506 and prove my identity by providing my Social Security number. You probably get thousands of messages each day reporting “spearphishing” activities, and I hope this report of attempted identity theft will be helpful. Sincerely yours, Gary J. Hoyt
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Gary. 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.
Don K.
My name is Don Koontz
I resonantly received a call from the “SS office” stating that my SS number has been “halted” Please call as soon as possible
I did not return the call.
Is this a scam??
Don Koontz
donko627@gmail.com
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Don. 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Rhonda A.
I locked my social security number so it couldn’t be stolen. But I am refinancing my home and need to unlock my number but I can’t find the area to unlock PLEASE HELP.
A.C.
Hi, Rhonda. For assistance with removing the freeze from your credit report, please contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). Thanks!