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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Helen I.
I wanted to report that I have been getting phone calls stating that my (doesn’t say who) social security number is being used fraudulently. They give a call back number.
As per the caller id the first came from Anna Texas 469-840-2291, the second from Warrensburg, NY 518-504-1060. Both calls gave a phone number to call back. This is a call I hadn’t heard of as a fraud as yet. You make it very hard to just report these things.
R.F.
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 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!
Tammy R.
What if we think we’ve been targeted in this fraud? I believe I have!
R.F.
Hello Tammy. If you think someone is using your Social Security number, there are several actions you can take. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information. Thanks!
nada b.
in 2014 i fand out thet goverment klose mi account iam 82 and living on nothing bot please to leave with everything i ha mi an mi husband leaves a 1,1oo.00 a months and naw this so kol associations rase price as of january ver are vi going was knee cantor i idiot ruin thet i hope they gat hate they deserve. nothing but the reep off.
Nada budic
Maria
Social Security wants for people to be careful with their SS number, but the contrary is done in the SSA own offices. I was in one of this offices recently and I was asked for my social security number. The office was filled with people sitting while waiting, and close enough to the service windows that the rest of those waiting to be taken care of could hear the answering.
Margaret H.
I’ve been getting calls with caller ID as SSI. Don’t answer them, as know it is SCAM, as I am not on disability.
Some numbers they use are:
541-248-8100
541-262-0152 and 0127
541-918-2277
Eileen f.
It’s not made easy to report. I received a phone call from Texas that said I was under investigation for fraud. I can’t get a hold of anyone.
R.F.
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!
Kevin K.
I just received a call from 3106207792 acting as the social security agency. It stated to call the same number back
R.F.
Just a reminder, Kevin. 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!
Malynda R.
One goes into the local Social security office to apply for benefits/ or numerous reasons with 1 being they have been a victim to identify theft, so after entering the guard askes if any weapons etc and proceeded to search bags , then guides you to kiosk where he asks you to enter your WHAT ??? SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IN WHOLE ..NOT JUST LAST 4 but all of it although the numbers do not appear on the screen as numbers but X’s there is nothing stopping potential identity theifs from watching you as you touch the numeric 10 keys with your SS # from being one of the many customers sitting directly behind you…. So I feel as protected as you may think you are typing that information on the kiosk THINK AGAIN AND REMEMBER THIS IS THE PRIME LOCATION FOR THEIFS TO GAIN A WORLD OF SS # WITHOUT RAISING ANY SUSPICION …. AND IMPACTING PEOPLES LIVES IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE COULD IMAGINE .. WE HAVE TO RAISE OUR CONCERN TO YOUR LOCAL OFFICE TO MAKE CHANGES IN PROTECTING SCREENS FROM VIEW OF EVERYONE …
MALYNDA RUMBAUGH
DES MOINES IOWA
( I APOLOGISE IF SOME WORDS ARE MISPELLED I WRITE THIS AS I SIT IN THE SS OFFICE SO HOPEFULLY YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IDENTITY ISSUES IM TRYING TO RAISE .)
P. B.
These scams need to be published more in the news, news papers and etc. not all elderly persons have internet access so thy can stay informed. We always tell our Mom 95 to hang up on these or any other calls that come in on her telephone land line that she did not make. I am elderly myself but am not stupid and have received so many of theses calls myself and it is amazing how far these cooks will go to get your money don’t fall for this crap!
R.F.
Thank you for your comment.
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.
R
I have received many, all from different numbers. I reported one of them, but the number is always different. Random city and states.
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information!
Just a quick 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.