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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Sandra K.
On June 5, 2019 I received a call from 1-800-772-4513. The recorded message said that my social security number had been suspended due to fraudulent activity. That number is only two numbers off from the REAL Social Security number.
A.C.
Hi, Sandra. Thanks for checking in with us. 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.
Wendy B.
Someone had contacted me yesterday and said his name was officer Berry Smith from a social security administration. he had called me and said that my social security number was going to be to delete it. He said that he found a building of his social security building I found my vehicle that I have never ever owned a vehicle my name.
And he said I was going to go to jail because they found 10 bags of cocaine in my car he should have a warrant out for my arrest and that they was going to delete my social security number or cancel it whatever. How I have a feeling I don’t know what’s going on but somebody has my information and I need to stop this cuz this is hurting me. I have tried to call the number today and it’s no longer in service.
And this is very emotional for me I have somebody in my information that’s my home phone number my telephone number and my social security please help me I’m not well with this. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Wendy. 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.
Holly E.
Got a voicemail saying my SSN was used in Texas. Told me to call an
Officer Greg Williams at 443-267-9856.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Holly. 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.
Cassandra A.
I have been several scam calls. I am not sure of any fraud, but these calls are making me nervous.
A.C.
Hi, Cassandra. 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.
JULIA L.
I have received continuous calls from 202-232-6584 claiming my social security number is involved in fraudulent negotiations and has been cancelled.
I know this is not true, but I am reporting the phone number for investigation. Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Julia. Thanks for letting us know. 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.
Dolores j.
5-31-2019
Received a call from a man claiming to be a person from the social security office stating that my social security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity
Phone number used -888-278-6599
He did not give a name
Ithe call came in on my cell phone, I did not answer the call he left a message encouraging me to call back to get further information , I have not returned the call
L.A.
Delores, 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.
Rick W.
1-859-838-7602 from Alexandria Ky is calling to say there’s a problem with your SS#,and it’s involved in a crime. Don’t fall for their scam
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Rick. 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.
Patricia m.
Just checking to make sure my identity wasn’t compromise. I received several phone calls stating that my social security was suspended
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Patricia. 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.
Michelle
Received multiple calls from 772-232-8093 claiming to be from SSA and that I should call back. Obviously not calling back!
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Michelle. 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.
Gypsy
Just today alone, I received 6 phone calls and 6 voice mails saying my ssn was suspended due to fraudulent activities. I didn’t answer these calls because AT&T labeled the caller as “Spam Risk”, but it got me scared… what if my number was really suspended?!? What do I do?!?
A.C.
Hi, Gypsy. 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.