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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Bonney P.
I am receiving calls from 4433847207 from a recorded message telling me to call back give the last 4 numbers of my social security number that my benefits have stopped and if I don’t get a hold of them I will be arrested I contacted social security and was told to report this to you immediately for it is a frogulant call
Ann C.
Hi, Bonney. 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. Thanks, again.
Steven W.
just got a spoofing call from 310-896-3946
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CARMELA m.
So been getting a call that I should contact this number 2016773112.They say that I need to contact them that there is a legal action taken against my social security number.Iknow this is a scam but I wanted to let someone know what is going on thank you
Luis A.
Hi Carmela. 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.
Ednamar O.
I’m receiving Phone calls from phone #s 575066439 and4697362606 telling me you guys suspend me Social Securiry # because you guys found suspicious activity. The person voice it’s the same. I think they have bunch of #s.
Vonda V.
Hi Ednamur.Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
Robert R.
The phone that I was called from came from McKinney Texas the number was 214-842-6247. I did call back and read them what your Acting Inspector General had said half way through they hung up on me. I then tried to call back several times each time they would answer and hang up on me I guess they got the point. This is not the first time I get the same kind of calls from the IRS which I know they are spoofs. Well thank and have a great day
JACLYN R.
I received this call from today. Please act upon this fraudulent call and protect the public from this type of criminal activity.
Hi, this is Officer Ryan Smith calling you from the Department of Social Security Administration. The reason you have received this phone call from our department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement action filed on your social security number for criminal activities. So when you get this message kindly call as soon as possible on our number that is 858-306-5521. I repeat 858-365-0521 before we begin with the legal proceedings. Thank you.
The American public should not have to worry about these scams. We need to be protected by our government and not exposed by allowing companies to sell our private information. That is how these criminals gain access.
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Jaclyn. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Nancy B.
I have had 2 call from 1-402-982-9869 they are stating We have revived against your Social Security number by the federal crime and investigation department we need to talk to you as soon as possible again this call is from Social Security Administration number to reach department is 402-982-9869 I repeat it’s 402-983-9869. thank you . I always been told that Social Security does not call is this true
Linda F.
I received another call today from a different phone number..855-287-9331. They are still saying they are from SS Admin. and there is fraudulent activity on my number and that it has been suspended. It is a canned call and that I need to call the number back for more information.
Ann C.
Hi, Linda. 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. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams: https://identitytheft.gov/ssa .We hope this helps.
Ismael L.
There a two more phone numbers with which the caller claims to be from the SSA. The numbers are 877-192-1213 and 877-195-1213. The caller sounds like a robot and states that your SSN is invalid and goes on requesting individual information and your SSN. Please be careful and don’t answer, but block the number(s) if you receive any calls from these numbers.
Ann C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Ismael. . 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.