Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns Public About OIG Impersonation Schemes

October 10, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: October 10, 2018

woman looking on phoneThe Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about an ongoing Office of the Inspector General (OIG) impersonation scheme.  The OIG has recently received reports from citizens about suspicious phone calls claiming to be from the Acting Inspector General.

The reports indicate the caller identifies as “Gale Stone” and states the person’s Social Security number (SSN) is at risk of being deactivated or deleted.  The caller then asks the person to call a provided phone number to resolve the issue.  Citizens should be aware that the scheme’s details may vary; however, citizens should avoid engaging with the caller or calling the number provided, as the caller might attempt to acquire personal information.

The Acting Inspector General urges citizens to be 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 the Acting Inspector General or from the OIG, you should report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via 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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Comments

  1. Tierney

    Question:

    https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/#comment-465774

    Is the above the proper url for this site?

  2. Tierney

    I just tried to post a comment and was prevented from doing so.

  3. Tierney

    I get scary calls everyday. All my medical and social security information, bank account information: all have been stolen. Husband has forged my name on tax returns, leaving me in debt, with no benefits.
    Money, my Uncle and Aunt, both comfortable, decided to steal the small amount of money and land left to me by my grandfather and father. Limestone County, Texas.
    Uncle Mike also asked for, and received, 3 tax id numbers for the trusts, yet used his own for the first 2 years after father died. Judge Yeakel, an agreement was signed that Mike would return the stolen assets, he has not.
    Mr. Hull, esq. I had the misfortune to encounter
    him on “Twitter.” In an attempt to advertise my husband’s business, I violated a twitter norm.
    Commented in the wrong (lawyers) area; this was rude
    on my part and I am truly sorry. Rage this engendered
    was shocking.
    Mr. Hull advised me to “unc–nt” myself, he hoped that I would “die slowly, in pain, etc.
    This lawyer then got in touch with my uncle, he a Texas attorney acting, without authority, as a fiduciary.
    Grateful as I am to be in recovery from stage IIIa invasive ductal carcinoma, BRCA I deleterious mutation on gene 53xxxxxxx, I am very scared.
    Moved, stupid me, from D.C. to a family oriented, lovely, isolated town in Virginia, I live with the angry husband. Uncle has chosen to keep my inherited funds, and I, with only a bachelors degree, can find no work in this town that has but one major employer: Valley Health Enterprises.
    Sounds unbelievable, I agree. Yet this is my life.

  4. Jennifer J.

    I received two phone calls on Wednesday May 8th at
    3 and 5 pm.the message they left said.they were with the legal dept with social security badge number SSA9165.of US Tresury. And I would be arrest if I did not return the phone calls. The number they were calling from was. 910-782-2625. I did not call them back

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Jennifer. 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.

  5. Marion T.

    I recurved a phone call this morning saying my social security was involved in illegal activity and I should call 619 202 4393 immediately please advise me .

  6. Phyllis A.

    I have received two phone calls stating that my SS # has been found to have suspicious activity on it. I did not answer. the phone # it came from is 1.888-815-0613.

    • L.A.

      Hi Phyllis. 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 help

  7. Betty L.

    I got a call today from a number that I did not know. I did not answer the call. However, a message was left for me stating that this is the social security commissioner. to call back concerning a possible fraud with my social security number, and that I need to call him back to clear up the matter before I am charged with a criminal case. This person did not give the name of who was calling. I figured that if there was a criminal act that the Government would write me a letter instead of calling with a threat. The number that I was to call is 240 230 3349. .

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Betty. 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.

  8. Joyce M.

    I just received (May 2, 2019 @ 1:30pm)a call from someone at the following telephone number 1-800-325-0778, saying my ss acct, ssn/ benefits
    were being blocked or suspended. Person said to press #1 or #9 to speak with an agent.
    I did not reply, just hung up my phone. They called on my cell phone. Just wanted to report this. Thank you.

    • L.A.

      Hi Joyce. 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.

  9. Fred B.

    I just got a phone call automated stating that my social security is revoked due to suspicious activity in Texas I believe this is a scam please get back with me at 480-381-5932 so we can discuss this matter

  10. Mary B.

    I received an automated call from the social security administration about suspicious activity regarding my social security number. It says they are suspending my number. If I want to know more to press 1. Fortunately this was recorded onto my cell phone’s voice mail but I have received the same call to my home phone number. I do not believe this is a legitimate call.

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