Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns Public About Caller-ID “Spoofing” Scheme Misusing SSA Customer Service Number

October 22, 2018 • By

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Last Updated: October 22, 2018

woman looking on phoneThe 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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About the Author

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Comments

  1. Jenne M.

    I have received a call every hour from supposed SSA claiming to suspend my SSN from several 866 phone numbers. I’m sure that these are fraudulent. Please answer.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jenne. 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.

  2. Margaret V.

    I received two phone calls 7-10-2019 from 1-866-045-349 informing me they were from the SSA and the reason they called was to inform me my SSN had been suspended to due some suspicious activity with my number. If I wanted to find out more about this case, I was to press one. One of the calls came from China. I am thinking this is part of the same scam as on this page. China is calling my cell phone posing as the SSA? Really????

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Margaret. 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.

  3. William H.

    there are two phone #’s that called me 11 times today, claiming to be SSA agents. the #’s are
    800-695-7351
    800-913-7043

    they are very annoying!!!!!!!!!

    • Ann C.

      Hi, William. Thanks for letting us know. 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.

  4. Carol S.

    My elderly mother received several calls identified as the Social Security Dept saying that her SS number shows suspicious activity.
    Is this a scam. The number calling her is 15101127901 and the caller is Name Unavailable.

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for checking in with us, Carol. 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.

  5. Candace

    The call came in stating there was “suspicious activity” with my SS number. It came from 1-315-215-1669, Alexandria Bay, NY. It sounded like a busy office in the background with children’s voices and the only reason I answered was with a recent move I receive many calls from new individuals or requested services. The online report form at oig.ssa.gov/report has no slot for this type of call and the 1-800-269-0271 number told me I had an hour and 10 minute wait time.

  6. Lois G.

    When is the government going to do something about scam calls? I almost can’t answer my phone anymore and then miss important calls. Is there any update on what is being done or why it is not? I realize it is difficult if not impossible to stop but allowing it to go on is not an option. So what is being done to fight this?

  7. Tim B.

    You sons of bitches belong in prison. GO GET A REAL JOB YOU BASTARDS

  8. Jeanne A.

    Will the SSA contact me with an email telling me to call them for more information to process my claim?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jeanne. Please be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, or email messages. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the company. If you are not certain that an email you received came from Social Security or one of our marketing partners, DO NOT click the link. Visit our Internet Phishing Alert web page to learn more about how to detect a fraudulent email message. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  9. Kathleen M.

    The person calling me gave the name of William Kim and said his badge number was 388013. I told him I’d check to see if he was a legitimate employee and call him back if I got confirmation from you. Is he, in fact, a legitimate SSA employee?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Kathleen. 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.

  10. Mary W.

    I had a call today from 512-534-3509 said from Austin Texas. they left message to call them about my social security suspension notice. No I did not call them. I just want to report this and see if it is actually social Security , which I am guessing it is not. Please verify by e-mail Thank -You or call home number at 513-620-7307 Mary Weiler

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