Inspector General Warns Public About OIG Impersonation Schemes
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: October 10, 2018
The 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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Tags: fraud, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, OIG, SSN
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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Joyce L.
Have received many phone calls from 310-579-2058 in Malibu saying it was a SS issue. Have you checked this phone #?
Ann C.
Hi, Joyce. Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Deborah k.
I just,recieved a call from they said Social Security Office & this was a computer message saying that a # of mine needed to be changed & to press a # & they could help me. The call came from 855-638-7625.
Luis A.
Hi Deborah. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Dee
Have had calls that said my Ssn suspended due to suspicious activity. I ignored them. Figured spam/phishing. Just received call a couple of days ago that stated “the investigational team of our department and the fbi is investigating more about these. We are trying to teach you for the last time to verify about such activities. Just in case we will not hear back from you it will be considered as an intentional fraud and a lawsuit will be filed under your name. In order to get more information give a call back in our department 936 303 0190. (Nbr repeated) and talk to the social security officer.” I do not have caller ID so don’t know where call came from.
Wondering if this has been seen before?
Luis A.
Hi Dee. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Kevin P.
your report line sucks I got phone call on 9-5-2019 about 9:15am and said from ssa and said my social security going to be suspended for criminal activity the phone number was 1-956-508-8247 said name was glenda Wilson what happens now should I be worrying about it
Ann C.
Hi, Kevin. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Kevin P.
I had someone call and said my social security is going to be suspended for criminal activity heres the phone number someone should call it 1-956-508-8247 person answering is glenda Wilson this happened 9-5-2019 around 9:15 you tell someone call this no or go to this web site need to better system this ones terrible
Ann C.
Hi, Kevin. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
A. K.
I am receiving phone calls from individuals in Texas that say they are SSA officers that have arrest warrants for me. They had me withdraw approximately $38825 from my bank accounts and deposited into a Bitcoin machine on 10/25/19. They keep calling me everyday, but I have been telling them that I cannot leave the house because my daughter is ill to do what they are asking. They want me to withdraw the rest of my bank accounts so they can change my SSN tomorrow. Phone nos are 915-703-2774 and 915-444-1225 with Officer Mike Ray and Officer Paul Wilson. I told them I never received any proof that they are from SSA.
Ann C.
Hi. Thanks for letting us know. Keep in mind we do not usually make random calls. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. We hope this helps.
Margaret A.
There was a message left on my answering machine today{10/24/19} around 3:30pm telling me that my social security number had been compromised and I needed to talk to one of their representatives or I would lose my benefits.
I didn’t think it sounded right needless to say I didn’t call back but need to report this The phone number they called from was i-800-SERVICE.
,.
Thank-you
Margaret A Peters
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Margaret. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.
Narudol
iq option Thank you for your sharing with us.
Maxine C.
received a call but did not catch the phone number about fraud on my social security number I tried to call but all offices were closed. IShe stated that I was going to be fined and must call back right away. she used my cell phone and nit my home phone number.
Ann C.
Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Leon S.
For two days and many times a day some female is calling and wants me to press one to talk to someone in regard of ,according to that person, that my ss no. is being used in the south of Texas. and they want me to talk with some one. I did not answer and hang up.
Luis A.
Hi Leon. Thank you for checking in with us. Keep in mind 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 online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams here. We hope this helps.