Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns Public About SSA Employee Impersonation Scheme

July 20, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

woman looking at cell phone The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about a new Social Security Administration (SSA) employee impersonation scheme.  SSA and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have recently alerted citizens about an OIG employee impersonation scheme and a scheme targeting former clients of Kentucky disability attorney Eric Conn; the agencies are now receiving reports from citizens across the country about other phone calls from an individual posing as an SSA employee.  The caller attempts to acquire personally identifiable information from victims to then edit the victims’ direct deposit, address, and telephone information with SSA.

The reports indicate that the impersonator calls from a telephone number with a 323 area code.  The caller claims to be an SSA employee, and in some instances, tells the victim that they are due a 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase of their Social Security benefits.  The impersonator goes on to ask the victim to verify all of their personal information including their name, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), parents’ names, etc. to receive the increase.  If the impersonator is successful in acquiring this information, they use it to contact SSA and request changes to the victim’s direct deposit, address, and telephone information.

SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes.  In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen confirm personal information over the phone.  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.

Acting Inspector General Stone continues to warn 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.  “You must be very confident that the source is the correct business party, and your information will be secure after you release it,” Stone said.

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.  (Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call Social Security’s TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.)

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About the Author

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Comments

  1. katrine e.

    Sept 2, 2011

    TO:_____________________________________
    _____________________________________
    _____________________________________
    _____________________________________
    _____________________________________

    RE: Signature on blank form

    Years back!!!!! I signed something blank for a company called family and employee services on water and 3rd street (I believe it was) (back in about year 94-95-98 or so) (family service).

    But, It was still blank as forms with my signature on it (mine) when I left there!!!!!!

    It could have been filled in then BUT, it could have been left blank for later use or misuse and I
    do not have no way of telling one way or another!!!!!!!!!!!

    When I went back to see about a copy to review the forms for correctness and what this so called
    lady named Nancy Buchanoon did with it I only saw a sign saying moved But, no forwarding address or address of were the company moved to was left on the sign on the door. (so I could never find the company or staff claimed to be nancy buchanoon).

    I hope no one misused the forms with my signature on it (which no one yet filled in at that point
    and time.)

    John Rathman and barb from LSS and donna and kim said someone called the company and needed me to come down and sign something for them (I did not think it would be a big deal)

    I was in a hurry that day so I signed it blank and left ( said send a copy to me to review and if any errors I`ll come down for the company to make corrections. (but, I never got them to review).

    Please!! Do not misuse my signature on those blank forms!!!!!

    AGAIN!! Do not misuse my signature on those blank forms which were not yet filled in!!!!

    Respectfully,
    Katrine Elizabeth Sackett
    3-24-63 tacoma pierce washington (ft lewis wa)
    legal name change from kathrine Elizabth Sackett
    to katrine Elizabth Sackett in bell county temple tx
    year about 1985 march brown eyes 5ft 2\3 intall
    c\o david hall 5108N.LoversLnRd apt47
    Milwaukee Wi 53225
    4144618019

    NOTE: 2nd Letter about this issue
    family service and family service and employee service is the same company according to a staff at family service which is highland blvd
    Note: decree of annulment under Wilfred Acholonu and Katrine sackett married and decree’d in bell county court old court house belton near temple back then belton took care of temple(nokidsbetweenthetwoofus)(ABOUT APRIL 86)
    Hyde—stepdads name divorced mom in 1975 –wolter
    I hope the company or people involved did not give it to the military or state guard or anyone else to misuse

  2. katrine e.

    Breastfeeding in Public laws and ordinannces

    Q: Does federal or state law protect a woman’s ability to breastfeeding in public?

    A: Yes. Wisconsin law allows a mother to breastfeed her child in any public or private location where the mother and child are otherwise allowed.36 Further, no person may prohibit a mother from breastfeeding her child, direct her to move to a different location to breastfeed her child, direct her to cover her child or breast while breast-feeding, or otherwise restrict a mother from breastfeeding.37 This means women are allowed to breastfeed in restaurants, stores, parks, malls, and other public locations. Breastfeeding in public is not a violation of Wisconsin’s sexual gratification, indecent exposure, or obscenity laws.38

    Q: Are there local ordinances that protect a woman’s ability to breastfeed in public?

    A: Madison and Dane County both have local ordinances that permit a woman to breastfeed in public, and Madison’s breastfeeding ordinance provides additional protections.39 Madison’s ordinance protects the “expression” of breast milk in any public or private location where a woman (mother or surrogate) is otherwise permitted.40 Expressing breast milk includes pumping as well as breastfeeding. The one exception to a woman’s ability to express breast milk under Madison’s ordinance is that the owner of a private residence may prohibit a woman from breastfeeding or pumping within that private residence.41

    . The campaign to provide formula to children began as part of a social movement to
    liberate women from household responsibilities and to give them the opportunity to maintain
    their place within the workforce, even after the birth of a child. Since its inception, however,
    the movement away from breastfeeding has also allowed a redefinition of the use of the breast
    from an object for feeding a baby to an object of sexual stimulation. Some authors argue that
    this sexual objectification of the breast has inhibited women from breastfeeding. Whatever the
    case, current attitudes toward the breast and its exposure in the public arena have definitely
    colored the issues surrounding breastfeeding’ especially within an employment context. As a
    result, the social norms regarding breastfeeding have been severely altered since the
    introduction of formula. See Corey Silberstein Shdaimah, Why Breastfeeding is (Also) a Legal Issue,
    10 HASTINGS WOMEN’S L.J. 409, 412-13 (1999).
    8. See Heidi Littman et al., The Decision to Breastfeed: The Importance of Fathers’ Approval, 33
    CLINICAL PEDIATRICS 214, 214 (Apr. 1994).
    9. See id.
    10. See U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, STATISTICAL ABSTRACT OF THE UNITED STATES: 1998 (118th ed. 1998).11. See id.

  3. katrine e.

    Updated 09−10 Wis. Stats. Database
    Wisconsin Statutes Archive.
    CHAPTER 948
    CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
    948.01 Definitions. 948.015 Other offenses against children. 948.02 Sexual assault of a child. 948.025 Engaging in repeated acts of sexual assault of the same child. 948.03 Physical abuse of a child. 948.04 Causing mental harm to a child. 948.05 Sexual exploitation of a child. 948.051 Trafficking of a child. 948.055 Causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity. 948.06 Incest with a child. 948.07 Child enticement. 948.075 Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. 948.08 Soliciting a child for prostitution. 948.085 Sexual assault of a child placed in substitute care. 948.09 Sexual intercourse with a child age 16 or older. 948.095 Sexual assault of a child by a school staff person or a person who works or volunteers with children. 948.10 Exposing genitals or pubic area. 948.11 Exposing a child to harmful material or harmful descriptions or narrations. 948.12 Possession of child pornography. 948.13 Child sex offender working with children.
    948.14 Registered sex offender and photographing minors. 948.20 Abandonment of a child. 948.21 Neglecting a child. 948.22 Failure to support. 948.23 Concealing death of child. 948.24 Unauthorized placement for adoption. 948.30 Abduction of another’s child; constructive custody. 948.31 Interference with custody by parent or others. 948.40 Contributing to the delinquency of a child. 948.45 Contributing to truancy. 948.50 Strip search by school employee. 948.51 Hazing. 948.53 Child unattended in child care vehicle. 948.55 Leaving or storing a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of a child. 948.60 Possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18. 948.605 Gun−free school zones. 948.61 Dangerous weapons other than firearms on school premises. 948.62 Receiving stolen property from a child. 948.63 Receiving property from a child. 948.70 Tattooing of children.
    Cross−reference: See definitions in s. 939.22.
    948.01 Definitions. In this chapter, the following words and phrases have the designated meanings unless the context of a specific section manifestly requires a different construction: (1) “Child” means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years, except that for purposes of prosecuting a person who is alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law, “child” does not include a person who has attained the age of 17 years. (1d) “Exhibit,” with respect to a recording of an image that is not viewable in its recorded form, means to convert the recording of the image into a form in which the image may be viewed. (1g) “Joint legal custody” has the meaning given in s. 767.001 (1s). (1r) “Legal custody” has the meaning given in s. 767.001 (2). (2) “Mental harm” means substantial harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual functioning which may be evidenced by a substantial degree of certain characteristics of the child including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, withdrawal or outward aggressive behavior. “Mental harm” may be demonstrated by a substantial and observable change in behavior, emotional response or cognition that is not within the normal range for the child’s age and stage of development. (3) “Person responsible for the child’s welfare” includes the child’s parent; stepparent; guardian; foster parent; treatment foster parent; an employee of a public or private residential home, institution or agency; other person legally responsible for the child’s welfare in a residential setting; or a person employed by one legally responsible for the child’s welfare to exercise temporary control or care for the child. NOTE: Sub. (3) is amended by 2009 Wis. Act 28 eff. the date stated in the notice provided by the secretary of children and families and published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under s. 48.62 (9) to read: (3) “Person responsible for the child’s welfare” includes the child’s parent; stepparent; guardian; foster parent; an employee of a public or private residential home, institution, or agency; other person legally responsible for the child’s welfare in a residential setting; or a person employed by one legally responsible for the child’s welfare to exercise temporary control or care for the child. (3m) “Physical placement” has the meaning given in s. 767.001 (5). (3r) “Recording” includes the creation of a reproduction of an image or a sound or the storage of data representing an image or a sound.
    (4) “Sadomasochistic abuse” means the infliction of force, pain or violence upon a person for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. (5) “Sexual contact” means any of the following: (a) Any of the following types of intentional touching, whether direct or through clothing, if that intentional touching is either for the purpose of sexually degrading or sexually humiliating the complainant or sexually arousing or gratifying the defendant: 1. Intentional touching by the defendant or, upon the defendant’s instruction, by another person, by the use of any body part or object, of the complainant’s intimate parts. 2. Intentional touching by the complainant, by the use of any body part or object, of the defendant’s intimate parts or, if done upon the defendant’s instructions, the intimate parts of another person. (b) Intentional penile ejaculation of ejaculate or intentional emission of urine or feces by the defendant or, upon the defendant’s instruction, by another person upon any part of the body clothed or unclothed of the complainant if that ejaculation or emission is either for the purpose of sexually degrading or sexually humiliating the complainant or for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying the defendant. (c) For the purpose of sexually degrading or humiliating the complainant or sexually arousing or gratifying the defendant, intentionally causing the complainant to ejaculate or emit urine or feces on any part of the defendant’s body, whether clothed or unclothed. (6) “Sexual intercourse” means vulvar penetration as well as cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or any other intrusion, however slight, of any part of a person’s body or of any object into the genital or anal opening either by the defendant or upon the defendant’s instruction. The emission of semen is not required. (7) “Sexually explicit conduct” means actual or simulated: (a) Sexual intercourse, meaning vulvar penetration as well as cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or any other intrusion, however slight, of any part of a person’s body or of any object into the genital or anal opening either by a person or upon the person’s instruction. The emission of semen is not required; (b) Bestiality;
    Updated 09−10 Wis. Stats. Database 2 948.01 CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
    Wisconsin Statutes Archive.
    (c) Masturbation; (d) Sexual sadism or sexual masochistic abuse including, but not limited to, flagellation, torture or bondage; or (e) Lewd exhibition of intimate parts

  4. katrine e.

    Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement When approaching this type of intersection, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection on your right. If the road to your right is clear or if approaching vehicles are far enough from the intersection to make your crossing safe, you may proceed. Since there are not any traffic ccontrols at this intersection, make sure there are no approaching vehicles from the left. You may legally have the right-of-way but be sure the other driver yields to you before you proceed.

  5. katrine e.

    CHAPTER 22. ASSAULTIVE OFFENSES
    § 22.011. SEXUAL ASSAULT.
    (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
    (1) intentionally or knowingly:
    (A) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of another person by any means, without that person’s consent;
    (B) causes the penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor, without that person’s consent; or
    (C) causes the sexual organ of another person, without that person’s consent, to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; or
    (2) intentionally or knowingly:
    (A) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of a child by any means;
    (B) causes the penetration of the mouth of a child by the sexual organ of the actor;
    (C) causes the sexual organ of a child to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor;
    (D) causes the anus of a child to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person, including the actor; or
    (E) causes the mouth of a child to contact the anus or sexual organ of another person, including the actor.
    (b) A sexual assault under Subsection (a)(1) is without the consent of the other person if:
    (1) the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by the use of physical force or violence;
    (2) the actor compels the other person to submit or participate by threatening to use force or violence against the other person, and the other person believes that the actor has the present ability to execute the threat;
    (3) the other person has not consented and the actor knows the other person is unconscious or physically unable to resist;
    texas penal code ch 22.011 assaultive offenses

  6. katrine e.

    Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement When approaching this type of intersection, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection on your right. If the road to your right is clear or if approaching vehicles are far enough from the intersection to make your crossing safe, you may proceed. Since there are not any traffic ccontrols at this intersection, make sure there are no approaching vehicles from the left. You may legally have the right-of-way but be sure the other driver yields to you before you proceed.
    texas drivers book ch 4 page 23 from katrineelizabethsackett32463

    • katrine e.

      Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement When approaching this type of intersection, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection on your right. If the road to your right is clear or if approaching vehicles are far enough from the intersection to make your crossing safe, you may proceed. Since there are not any traffic ccontrols at this intersection, make sure there are no approaching vehicles from the left. You may legally have the right-of-way but be sure the other driver yields to you before you proceed. texas drivers book ch 4 page 23 from katrineelizabethsackett32463

  7. katrine e.

    Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement When approaching this type of intersection, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection on your right. If the road to your right is clear or if approaching vehicles are far enough from the intersection to make your crossing safe, you may proceed. Since there are not any traffic ccontrols at this intersection, make sure there are no approaching vehicles from the left. You may legally have the right-of-way but be sure the other driver yields to you before you proceed.
    texas drivers book ch 4 right of ways

  8. Eleanor

    I received a postcard from OIG SSA to call
    18884879917 x 12564 to call a special agent. I don’t know what this is about. Is this legitimate?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Eleanor, SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. The number appears to be a valid. Please follow the instructions in the letter when contacting us. Thanks!

  9. Kim M.

    I have received phone calls this week and last week, that said there was unknown activity on my bank account and social security. It says to call Microsoft at a weird 818 number. I know about that breach a couple months ago, but this phone call recording was pretty strange. The third of the month is in two days and it’s a bit worrying for me. I, of course didn’t pick up the phone. Are there others getting this kind of to call Microsoft?

  10. flordeliza

    I Could not create my account, and found out that on somebody using m y nickname as a user ID. For the meantime my account is suspended for 24 hours to get back to this creation of account to register. I know lately that my disability benefit I found out that I was entitled to it but in 2010 asking for retroactive benefit and keep me shuffling from other state to the state, and got tired of it never give it to me..Now I found the truth through their gimmick claims shows AI and A means 2 types of benefit you should get I research yes but the employee I talk do not want to give me what that means truth comes out to my research I been cheated for my disability and until now they had not deposited the money to my direct deposit., So from now on folks research your entitlement and you will find the truth.In everything there is always one no matter what they do

    • katrine e.

      Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement When approaching this type of intersection, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection on your right. If the road to your right is clear or if approaching vehicles are far enough from the intersection to make your crossing safe, you may proceed. Since there are not any traffic ccontrols at this intersection, make sure there are no approaching vehicles from the left. You may legally have the right-of-way but be sure the other driver yields to you before you proceed.

Comments are closed.