Inspector General Warns Public About SSA Impersonation Schemes
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 16, 2018
The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about ongoing Social Security Administration (SSA) impersonation schemes. SSA and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have recently received several reports of suspicious phone calls claiming to be from SSA.
In one case, an automated recording states the person’s Social Security number (SSN) “has been suspended for suspicion of illegal activity,” and the person should contact a provided phone number immediately to resolve the issue. The call concludes by stating if the person does not contact the provided phone number, the person’s assets will be frozen until the alleged issue is resolved. In another case, a caller claims to be from “SSA headquarters” and waits for the person to provide personal information, such as an SSN, address, and date of birth. In January, the OIG shared similar information from the Federal Trade Commission, which reported an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
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 should 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. “Be aware of suspicious calls from unknown sources, and when in doubt, contact the official entity to verify the legitimacy of the call,” 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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Tags: fraud, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, OIG
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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Ann P.
In one day, I have had 5 calls to my cell phone voice mail, all from a man who states that my SSN will be discontinued due to questionable activity. I was told to press “1” to get more info, which I didn’t do. The phone number shown on my cell was always close to the same: 1-888-810-0271. The last 4 digits were often different, 888-810 were always the first numbers.
Ann C.
Thanks for letting us know, Ann. We do not usually make random calls. If 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
katrineelizabeth s.
I heard from the news on T.V. here in texas that you at social security plan on closing in year 2025 is that correct or is media making a mistake please get back to the public in texas about the truth of this statement on T.V. news remember to deposit my social security checks in my direct deposit in wells fargo bank here in texas I mainly use the bank from wells fargo on street called airport road here in Austin texas I normally get two checks one about $650 or so and the other one small one about 136.00 or so a letter once made a questionable statement a hint about a third check but I do not get three checks ever only two checks just the two mentioned above are all I get here in texas in Wisconsin we get three because we get a state check for $75.00 dollars but only in Wisconsin I don’t get it here in texas only two in texas I need both of the checks sent next month(may) and always sent year around
signed Katrine Elizabeth sackett32463 whitelady(5’3)(5’2 1/2) 7101 n ih 35 Austin texas spring terrace apts a donated old building for apt use due to its old age was on demolition list to be knocked down but donated for poor to move in and social security clients to move in who have low income date april 25 2019 time 11:45 pm night
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Vonda V.
Thanks for your question. It was probably information about the newly released Trustees Report. According to the Social Security Board of Trustees, the combined assets of the Social Security trust funds are projected to become depleted in 2035, one year later than projected last year. If Congress does not act before then, there will only be sufficient income coming in to pay 80 percent of scheduled benefits. Check out the 2019 Trustees Report for the full report.
Barbara C.
Reporting suspected scam: I received two automated telephone calls today, April 25, 2019 at 10:04 am and 11:29 am, telling me my Social Security number has been compromised and therefore suspended. Then requesting that I telephone to straighten out the problem. I did not do so. I did not answer these calls but let them go to voice mail. These are the two numbers from whom I received the calls were received: 888-810-1034 and 888-810-1022.
Vonda V.
Hi Barbara. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
GEORGE J.
I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ON 4/15/2019 FROM 201-124-1248. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD COMMITTED AN ACT THAT WOULD SUSPEND MY SS BENEFITS . I LISTENED TO THE WHOLE MESSAGE, I DID NOT HANG UP BECAUSE AS A RETIRED SS ADMINISTRATOR I KNEW THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED
GEORGE J. KELLY 4349737255
Vonda V.
Hi George. Thank you for letting us know about these calls. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
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.
George
Had a call about social security fraudulent activity on my s.s. Account wanted me to call 410 213 5085
Didn’t call!
Shawn S.
I’m confused. I got a phone call from a man saying he is from Social Security. He says there is a problem with my SS# and I need to straighten in out.
His name was Bill Winston and phone # 469-733-0478.
I just can’t sit at my computer and read all this because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Please email me back at shawnpalm123@gmail.com
Greg B.
Tried calling the number to report a possible scam. Got lost in your automated answering service. I received a call twice today from a Vermont number 802-693-0173 but did not answer. I returned the call and a person with a strong Hispanic accent told me there was suspicious activity with my SSN. he asked a few questions then wanted to know my SSN and DOB. I refused and he said he would mail the info.
Ann C.
Hi, Greg. Thanks for checking in with us. 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
chuck b.
had two messages on my phone stating that my SSN had been suspended.
those numbers are:888 810 5126 and 888 810 5100.
Kim R.
I have received many calls saying the are from Medicare and I need to change my plan……every time seems to be a different number and you cant call them back I tried. I told them I was going to see what I could do to report them and the calls got worse. Different area codes and different numbers. I have some of the numbers saved on my phone.. After I told them that I really got toalit of calls one said my so number had been compromised and my number was frozen. Thanks for any help you can give me. Sincerely kim Reaney
Sheila P.
I got a call like described above.
Caller was asking for my S.S.# and said they were
saying Iam guilty of fraud..concerning my reirement S.S.
NUMBER WAS 631-635-8821
Ann C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Sheila. We do not usually make random calls. If 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. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.