Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns Public About OIG Impersonation Schemes

October 10, 2018 • By

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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. Bill T.

    This number 828-865-4505 is a social Security scam

    • A.C.

      Thanks for letting us know, Bill. 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.

  2. Courtney H.

    Hi, I received a call today on my cell phone, stating that there was fraudulent act. using my SS#. I didn’t see a number but it said ATT. Normally I wouldnt give it a second thought knowing it was probably a scam, but the man said there was a warrant out for my arrest because my name was linked to a registered vehicle where they found 22 oz of cocaine as well as blood along the border. He gave a make and model of the car as well as an address of a house that the police busted. Money laundering has been taking place in several states.The man told me I would need to suspend my SS# and that a commissioner would be coming to my home tomorrow with paperwork once I agreed over the phone to suspend it. I asked for a badge number, the guys name, and a number where I could call to verify his identity. His name was Alex Mercer. My cell phone dropped the call and no one has called back. I have been in touch with our local police. They said it is most likely a scam, but will be calling for more details tomorrow. Please advise.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Courtney. 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. melvin c.

    was call to day june 4 2019 told that a worent was ice for my ssi do to fulen youce of funds the camein at1
    1;13 the shows 18009194608

  4. Philip L.

    Please call the Jersey Village, Texas and have them call me. The recording just says someone will call and Friday and today got no phone call.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Philip. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. 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.

  5. RICHARD A.

    received a phone call from 1800 807 7920 impersonating ssa representative today at 1138 est

    • A.C.

      Hi. 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.

  6. Dan E.

    Caller, indicates my SS number have been suspened do to fraudulent activeitys. Numbers are, 858-816-1588 & 858-816-1574.

    My email address is minerdan01@aol.com. If there is any issue contact me. Thanks Dan

    • V.V.

      Hi Dan: Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.

      Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at http://www.oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here http://www.identitytheft.gov/SSA.

  7. Mrs. H.

    Today 5-20-19…Received phone scam saying they were Soc. Sec. Office & they left a voice mail for me to return there call…which I did. He wanted my name..which I gave him. Then he ask for the last four of my Soc. Sec. #
    I told him I wasn’t giving that out.He proceeded to tell me he needed it in order to direct my call. I replied…if he didn’t have that information in front of him…then I wasn’t giving it it regardless. He told me I could hang up if I wouldn’t comply. Which I did. The voice mail they left gave this phone # to call them:1-806-319-7162

    • A.C.

      Hi. 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.

  8. CYNTHIA J.

    Please help me with my social security account because it’s been called in as a fraud right now and I’m not sure what to do because they have not done anything to it & Everyone is used it to be funny because they all know that I cannot do anything right about it but it’s a huge mess and it’s going to be revoked because they all have had it & used it for all my medical business so please help me with this now ! Before I call the Governors office

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cynthia. If you are still unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  9. Jean J.

    On May 13, 14, am and pm I Received 3 phone calls from social security office saying: regarding my social security number. It had some suspicious activity on it, and my SS# will be suspended. Saying please call back. They left 3 voice mails and I never called them back.

  10. Tierney p.

    Please delete the above draft, was not meant to post

Comments are closed.