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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Valerie N.
I keep getting a call from 845-363-4731.
I have blocked the number and added a call blocking app to my phone and they are still getting to leave a voice mail. Saying my ss card is being discontinued. How do I stop this?
V.V.
Hi Valerie, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. You may want to check with your phone service on how to block the calls or check with the Federal Trade Commission.
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Rose B.
Received a call that my ss # has been deleted.
R.F.
Hello Rose, thank you for checking in with us.
Unfortunately, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Cindy s.
Received a call from the 682 503 2966 claiming I was being investgated for fraud and said I had to call them back at the above # to avoid criminal charges
R.F.
Hello Cindy, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
Renetta M.
I was contacted by someone who claimed to be from social security. when the call first came to my cell. there was a pre-recorded message all citing various social security related and even one on public records that social security can ask. it was a long wait and they did call back but I told this person why he was asking when social security should have it. I did give my number but he called me a different name and he repeated my number wrong. I hung up on him. I told him I was going to the social security office instead. I don’t know if he did get my sss number I hope not but he called my cell. today nov 26 2018 I went to casa grande social security office and reported it. I hope nothing gets messed up with my number. this incident took place nov 23 2018 right before thanksgiving holiday an Friday casa grande office was closed. I tried to call there .
R.F.
Hello Renetta. Unfortunately, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
If you think someone is using your Social Security number, there are several actions you can take, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information on this topic. Thanks!
Sandy
360 6338769
Threatening call
V.V.
Sandy, thank you for checking in with us. If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Janice W.
I received a call from 1 518 290 6002 that left a message stating that my benefit were going to be stopped based on fraudulent activity on my s/s number
V.V.
Janice, thank you for checking in with us. If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Michael S.
I received a telephone call on November 14, 2018 from 1-214-329-9686. The caller states that “legal enforcement action has been filed on my SSN for fraudulent activities.” The caller then urges me to give them a call before they begin with legal proceedings.
V.V.
Michael, thank you for checking in with us. 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 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 you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Emily F.
These are good comments. Thanks for sharing.
Melinda
I was called from your number it says about an order to suspend my social security number for fraud activity. They request that I call (306) 7752840. I believe this is fishing for identity theft. I am trying to check in with you but it was a 55 min wait to speak to someone.
R.F.
Hello Melinda. 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.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
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!
Juanita E.
I got a call from NY from a court stating that my social security Number was used somewhere and it was flagged, how know or find out if my Number has been used fraudently and if it safe.
R.F.
Hello Juanita. 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 has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!