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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charles e.
i got a phone call today from8002690271 which told me my ss number has been cancel
A.C.
Hi, Charles. Thanks for checking in with us. 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. Thanks, again.
Lorraine S.
Phone call threatening to freeze SS benefits if
I do not call 610-844-0427.
I realize it’s a scam and just wish to make a
report.
L.A.
Lorraine, thanks for checking in with us. 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). In addition, you can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). To order your credit report go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. For more information, check out our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number. We hope this helps
Paul A.
I received one of the calls you warned about here, earlier today, claiming my Social Security Account is frozen due to suspected illegal activity pending my contacting them on some number. I deleted the message but the likely spoofed phone number displayed was 1-415-702-3487, potentially phony name, Luci Lesolis. I suspected it was a scam since we get so many of them here in Macomb County Michigan.
J.Y.
Hi Paul. Thanks for checking in with us. 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. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number, you should go to http://www.idtheft.gov and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps.
Burt
I have received 4 call this morning from (866) 727- 9879, and (866) 086-2332, that told me my Social Security number has been locked due to suspicious activity. I’m sure this is a scam.
Pam A.
Trying to contact someone at the social security office is impossible. I was just trying to check on a phone call I received. the call constantly and say that it is the ss office. The phone number they are calling from is 1-510-112-7901. couldn’t figure out how to report it. I have been on hold for about 30 minutes and messed with the automated system for about 20 minutes. I hope everything is fine with my ss#
Thanks,
Pam
A.C.
Hi, Pam. We are sorry to hear about your frustration. Keep in mind, 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. We hope this helps.
Lyndene B.
I received a call from Kyle TX 512-256-8244. They left this message: Beta “Is filed on your SS number for criminal activities so when you get this message kindly revert ASAP on your number that is 512-256-8244, I repeat 512-256-8244 before we begin legal ___________. You have a nice day.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Lyndene. 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. Thanks, again.
Polly S.
I have received two calls in the past week regarding some law suit involving my social security and that my benefits will be cut off. The last call came from the phone # 312-263-7605.
May I receive verification that this is a hoax? My cell phone is 314-330-3911.
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Polly Sue. 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. We hope this helps.
Anita G.
I received a phone call by someone employed by social security, a phone number was not known. The called stated, on my answering machine, that I am going to be investigated and will be going through my belonging in my home.
Brenda K.
6/10/19 I received a call on Saturday, 6/8/19, saying that he was from Social Security and needed to verify my information. I was expecting a call from Social Security today, Mon., 6/10/19 to apply for survivor benefits. I felt sure that the call on Saturday was a fake so I told him my suspicions and hung up. The phone # he used is either 844-292-7325 or 423-185-9761. Tried to call both numbers and both are fake.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Brenda. 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. Thanks, again.
S. D.
My husband recently applied online for retirement benefits. We received a couple codes from SSA through email because we were having trouble remembering his username on his account, and were able to complete the application. Then he received an email thanking him for completing the application, but a claims specialist may be contacting him with a few questions to finalize the process. Sure enough, he received an official looking email, including a SSA symbol, asking him to call DIane Smith who had been assigned his case. The number was 855.807.8675 and a 4 digit ext., which was something like a Social Security Workload place. My husband, unwittingly called the number, and divulged personal info, including verifying his social security number without thinking this could be a scam. This just happened two days ago…he told me about it today. I’m so worried, and not sure what to do next. I feel he set himself up for identity theft. What should we do?
V.V.
Hi there. Thank you for using our blog to ask your question. Anytime you have questions about any communication – email, letter, text or phone call – claiming to be from SSA, we ask that you 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 7p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy. (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).