Inspector General Warns Public About Social Security Advisory Board-Related Scam
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 17, 2019
The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about a new variation of increasingly common government employee impersonation scams, this time involving the Social Security Advisory Board. The Advisory Board has reported that individuals are receiving scam phone calls displaying the board’s phone number on caller ID. The callers are reportedly attempting to obtain personal information, including Social Security numbers. If you receive this type of call, you should not engage with the caller or provide personal information or money in response to requests or threats.
These callers are employing tactics similar to impersonation schemes involving the IRS, SSA, and the SSA OIG. Inspector General Ennis advises that callers may use a variety of false scenarios or threats to obtain personal information or payments, often requested through gift cards or prepaid debit cards.
However, the Social Security Advisory Board typically does not contact the general public to request personal information over the phone. Moreover, government employees will never threaten you to obtain personal information or payments. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up.
“This caller-ID spoofing scheme has unfortunately evolved to include the Social Security Advisory Board, but it is the same type of scam, attempting to mislead people by using the trusted name of Social Security,” Inspector General Ennis said. “I encourage everyone to alert your family and friends about how common these scams are, and to be very cautious when speaking with unknown callers, even if you recognize the caller ID.”
Inspector General Ennis urges the public not to provide sensitive information over the phone or internet unless you are certain of who is receiving it. You should also never wire money or add money to a prepaid debit card to pay for any official government service.
If you receive a suspicious call, you may report that information online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report or by calling (800) 269-0271, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams: https://identitytheft.gov/ssa.
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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Sally
Also it’s just a thought but as to who and why we are being targeted, I was wondering if it was people such as myself who receive SS disability, or any other monthly help, does everyone on here who’s had a call currently claim benefits.
May be that’s who they are targeting,
Just trying to understand why us
Sally
I been reading this blog ever since I my call the stated I had legal issues with tax on the SSN, it was quiet scary until I read everyone else on hear…..
But it has to said,
A big thank you to Ann and Luis, from Public affairs.
Your reply’s and just being here for us needs to be recognized ,
Thank you Ann and Luis
JIM F.
Trying to verify someone they sent me a pic of SSI card I can’t make out the name on it. That was what I was looking for. How do I go about matching the name I have to that SSI number. To verify if indeed this is the person that the card number belongs to. .
Luis A.
Hi Jim. Thank you for your question. If you are an employer and need to verify a Social Security number, please see our information and services for employers here. We hope this helps.
JOHN K.
So glad you are posting these blogs. I think scammers are very tricky. I am thinking ways to help others to be aware of these tricks.
Evelyn G.
Man with accent called from number 239-324-4381 that there is kegal action against me regsrding my SS#
Luis A.
Hi Evelyn. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
MITCHELL J.
Received a call from 888-237-1360 advising me that my SSA payments may be suspended due to an irregularity in the use of my soc sec number. The message advised me that if I want more information to press 1 on my key pad. upon pressing 1, I was directed to a site that responded with only single grunts. I hung up
Luis A.
Hi MItchell. 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 at 1-800-269-0271 or 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.
Deborah K.
I received 8 of these calls from 3 different states. First call at 11:07 am and the 8th call at 3:42 pm (EST) so might not be through getting more. 2 calls from North Carolina number 1-980-216-8212, 4 from Wyoming number 1-307-699-6924, and 2 from North Dakota number 1-701-765-8149
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Deborah. 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 site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps
Robert
robocall message states “This is to inform you that your social security number has been suspended due to some reasons. We request you to call us back on 965-620-2231”
I called back and a fellow purporting to be in an SSA office in Texas would not answer me when I asked him which city in Texas he was in. He eventually hung up after I asked him several times where his office was.
Robert
I tried calling the number at 4:01 EDT, but your message states you answer calls only until 4:00 p.m. But your website states:
If you receive a suspicious call, you may report that information online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report or by calling (800) 269-0271, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
Carol
Just got off phone with Jason Roy, would not give me his badge number, said he was not allowed to do that. Asked for my info, I told him you should have all that, you called me. Said he was going to call police, told him go ahead, send them to my house, I told him him he was scamming me and he said I could not talk to him that way, I told him I could talk to him any way I wanted too, he finally hung up on me.
Luis A.
Hi Carol. 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.