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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Joseph C.
In the past couple of weeks I have been getting calls from the same number that my social security number has been suspended and we need to call them immediately. I have not answered but a message is left on my machine. The women claims she is officer Marie Gomez with the social security dept. The call is coming from Hewlett, N.Y. and the number is 1-516-758-0932. The last call came in today at 2:10 PM.
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Joseph. 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.
Albert B.
Is this a legitiment web site? I notice it claims Gail S Ennis as Inspector General compared to this site listing IG as Gale Stallworth Stone https://oig.ssa.gov/about-oig/meet-oig-senior-staff Or is this the bogus site?
Roberta J.
I have received a call considering my social security—I didn’t answer because I think it is fraudulent. The number they gave me to call was 866-876-0802. This has happened several times in the past and I have ignored it. However, this time I can relay a telephone number.
Ann C.
Hi, Roberta. 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.
Shaniqua
Hi my name is shaniqua Washington I got a caled yester day from a 1800 number saying fraud have been done with my social security number saying the irs is investigated my social security number for fraud
Jassi
I just received one of these calls yesterday on my voicemail and today on my phone. It came from 256-500-9644. It is a robocall saying, “hello my name is Linda from the office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration. This is the final warning that your social security number has been suspended pending this investigation…” and then it repeats the message. I’m sure this is spam so I hung up but unfortunately some people will fall prey to this scam and be taken advantage of. Please stop these people.
Ann C.
Hi, Jassi. 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.
Wanda P.
To Whom It May Concern,
This morning at 10:30 A M I received a call leaving a message on my cell phone. The message was as follows,
414-982-4221 I repeat that is 414-982-4221 disregard this notice a do return the call before we begin with the legal proceedings against you. Thank you
This call was ID on my cell was from Milwaukee Wi.
I called this number for information, when answering they said Social Security Administration!
I immediately said, excuse me why are you identifing yourself as the social security, I know this is a lie? They immediately hung up.
Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Ann C.
Hi, Wanda. 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.
Paulette J.
I recieved a a a couple of times today, saying that my social security number was stolen and they was going to connect me with a officer ,so I hung up.the phone number is 1888-302-6755
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Paulette. 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.
Robert
received a phone call stating that my social security was suspended here is the # it came from 887 102 7075
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Rickey H.
Received phone call saying my SS numbers was being investigated …..their phone number is 1716 2963727
Michael Z.
got call from 1-800-633-4736 @ 941am stating it was SSA and wantEd me to push some numbers to talk to an agent. I hung up.