Inspector General Warns Public About Caller-ID “Spoofing” Scheme Misusing SSA Customer Service Number
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 22, 2018
The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about an ongoing caller-ID “spoofing” scheme misusing the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) national customer service phone number. SSA has received numerous reports of questionable phone calls displaying SSA’s 1-800 number on a caller-ID screen. This is a scam; citizens should not engage with those calls or provide any personal information.
These reports indicate the calls display the 1-800-772-1213, SSA’s national customer service number, as the incoming number on caller ID. People who have accepted the calls said the caller identifies as an SSA employee. In some cases, the caller states that SSA does not have all of the person’s personal information, such as their Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim SSA needs additional information so the agency can increase the person’s benefit payment, or that SSA will terminate the person’s benefits if they do not confirm their information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from citizens across the country.
SSA employees do contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes, and in some situations, an SSA employee may request the citizen confirm personal information over the phone. However, SSA employees will never threaten you for information or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up.
“This caller-ID spoofing scheme exploits SSA’s trusted reputation, and it shows that scammers will try anything to mislead and harm innocent people,” Stone said. “I encourage everyone to remain watchful of these schemes and to alert family members and friends of their prevalence. We will continue to track these scams and warn citizens, so that they can stay several steps ahead of these thieves.”
The Acting Inspector General urges citizens to be extremely cautious, and to avoid providing 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. If you receive a suspicious call from someone alleging to be from SSA, you should report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report
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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Mary R.
We received a call today saying that SSA needed to come visit us to discuss changes in social security. Is this a new scam??
J.Y.
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. 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. You may also 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.
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.
Beverly T.
Received call from #956-377-4180 (Donna, TX) reporting they were from SSA with reports of fraudulent activity on my SS number……I called back 8 times and got various men and women claiming to be SSA in various Indian accents. They demanded I call back before they began fraud charges against me. I need this to be relayed so that no one else is scammed. Thanks. BT
Vicki S.
I received a call today from 626-251-9454 stating that my social security card has been cancelled for unlawful activity and I was supposed to call them back and expect a call from Homeland Security.
Chris S.
this phone number (1-800-577-9672) called me 8 times today to tell me action will be taken on me if i do not return the call, So i called them back, they all have middle eastern accents, and I laughed at them, they to me to go fuck myself….obviously a scam….please do something about this, I may need to change my number i get more cals like this than business calls…which seems like the cell phone business would block these calls but i find out now they are selling our phone numbers to sales people…this should not be allowed…
A.C.
Hi, Chris. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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 find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Jill L.
I recieved a call from two different numbers from a robo caller informing me that my Social Security number has been compromised and my number will be cancelled. I hung up! Its reall a shame I need to remain on hold for now an hour wher=n I’m supposed to be recovering from surgery! Is there a website that would give me some information? I can’t do this!
V.V.
Hi Jill: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Jan
Call saying they are from so and if I don’t call back criminal charges will be pressed against
V.V.
Hi Jan: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Traceyann W.
I received a call this morning, the caller says he was calling from social security office and that there was a warrant out for my arrest for money laundering / drug trafficking and that my personal information was found in a car with blood in Texas. I do believe my information was compromised. He gave his name as Rusty Payne with a badge number FP2515 and a reference # DC7010 and a warrant arrest # SC37542
V.V.
Hi Traceyann: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Larry A.
I was contacted yesterday by phone number 1-530-451-6975 out of California say that a legal enforcement is being investigated against me for fraudulent activity for SSN. Sounded like a coputer generated voice.
V.V.
Hi Larry: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Peg R.
I received a v/m today where the beginning of the v/m quickly quoted the toll free # 800.269.0271 (for the OIG) and said to call them either on the toll free # or their LAN line of 315.632.0521, which is the same # showing on my caller ID. Google doesn’t ID this LAN # but it confirms the toll free # for OIG. She also said someone from OIG will be contacting me soon. I’m on hold right now (VRU said wait time 55 minutes) to see if OIG has information on why I was called. She did not leave any details on the phone. Is the 315.632.0521 a legitimate toll # for OIG? I wouldn’t think they would actually offer that information so I’m thinking not; but while I’m waiting for someone to answer, I found your blog :). Please advise in case I can’t wait the 55 minutes. Thank you kindly!
V.V.
Hi Peg: If the caller is claiming to be from Social Security—it is critical that you pay attention to the tone and content of the message from the caller. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment, or they threaten that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security, we urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your SSN or bank account information. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who calls you, and never send the stranger money via wire transfer or gift cards.
Social Security employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information or pay a fee. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.
Marsha K.
Today, Feb. 12,2019 I received a call from 1-202-769-5364 at 12:34 p.m. Woman spoke with a Eastern Indian accent.
Stating there had recently been suspicious activity regarding my Soc. Sec. number. I had a profound hearing loss and it was difficult to understand distinctly what she was saying and there was so much background talking interference I couldn’t understand exactly what she was trying to get across. The last portion of her statement was something about calling local law enforcement. Unfortunately, I was not suspicious until after I had divulged my name, address and Soc. Sec. number. So when I did hang up, I called the area S.S. office at Independence, Ks. and talked with a representative who was very helpful directing me to your website. She also gave me your phone number. Told me to call back if I had any more question or problems reaching your office. I certainly hope my ignorance doesn’t cause me deeper regret.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Marsha. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Check out our latest blog on this topic for Social Security tips, including how to find out if the call was from us. We hope this helps.