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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About the Author
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Moira L.
I have gotten multiple calls lately saying that SSA was cancelling my social security number. they come in to my cell phone about once a week. It’s exhausting keeping up with them.
John B.
How can callers use local numbers to call you ? In several cases, I have called the number and get some unsuspecting person who never called me. This has to be illegal, I can’t find out how it is done but somehow it has to be stopped, can you help?
Philip J.
ID namba XXXXX Mobile namba + XXXX4825
Cass
I got a call from the local Springfield office in Newark
William F.
Letter to all with a pass code one per person. They and must use. The codes. To SETUP. Voice com
Have a nice day. Be safe
Bill
Frankie S.
My social security number my have been compromised I am not certain what can I do
Ray F.
Hello Frankie. If you think someone is using your number, there are several actions you can take. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!
Alejandro P.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to believe in the system internet because it is full of fraud
BRIJBAHADUR
god
Davis N.
Critical thinking 101, Most organizations do not use their primary “incoming” line to make “outgoing calls.
Charles S.
This is a little different than the calls I have been receiving. I have been getting calls telling me that they can’t help me with my disability claim. The thing is I have never applied for disability. They have been calling me while I am on the road. I am a OTR truck driver! I knew right away it was a scam since I have never applied. They also called me by my nick name and not my given name but wanted to let someone they have come up with a new way to try and scam people.
Ray F.
Thank you for sharing, Charles.
Just a reminder – 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. Thanks!