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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Robin T.
I’m Constantly being Called by phone number 415 659 9971 addressing me by name, and telling me that I’m under investigation for S.S. Fraud. First Off, I don’t Receive SS. Second, they are asking for my Last 4 of # SS No. For Verification purposes. And other ID. Info to verify me, In which I do not Give. I simply ask them to write me a letter. Get them off the streets. Please.
L.A.
Hi Robin. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Scott A.
I just got 1 of these calls this morning 10/4/2019 at 9am sounded fishy as the person had heavy accent also very noisy back ground and strange number I seen enough of these articles on news and the SSA that warned me about this so did not give out a thing about me.anyway I checked the phone number via reverse look up as much as I could and this is the phone number 1-516-399-3063 its from Manhattan.NYC the carrier is infotelcom LLC
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Scott. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General 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.
Raymond D.
I was called from 1-520-432-0426 around 10:00 A.M. telling me that my SS number was being used in Texas. Being concerned I followed direction giving my last four digits name and address. Didn’t occur to me until afterwards that it was a scam call. Is there anything I need to do to stop them from stealing my identity ?
‘
A.C.
Hi, Raymond. Thanks for checking in with us. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. If you suspect identity theft, you should and report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). We hope this helps!
Pete M.
Received a call from 1-888-059-9337 and shortly after that from Kansas 1-785-373-3061. The recorded message was the same “The reason you have received a phone call from our department is we have suspended your social security number because we have found some suspicious activity to learn more press one,
Pete M.
I received a phone call from 1-888-059-937, with a recorded message that my SSAN was noticed to have illegal activity, please press 1 to speak to an agent.
I have blocked that number, and I wish to report it. I tried using the OIG form but found it difficult to use. So I’m bringing it up here.
L.A.
Hi Pete. 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.
Jeff J.
Today 20 Sept 2019 I received a message left on my answering service. Man said they were from social security, had fraudulant claims on me, would hold my money, if I ignored this something about magistrate. They left a phone number to call. 434-658-2307. Please check out.
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Jeff. 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.
PETER A.
please help me I am a offshore worker I have a check of United States Treasury but already expired last December 2014 how do claim it back? Im contract worker Filipino Citezen..I have US Visa RB1.It is possible that I Claim my Tax Refund?
L.A.
Hi Peter. We do not have information about United States Treasury-related questions. Please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for information. You can find the FBU contact information here. We hope this helps.
Patricia B.
I received 2 calls from 1-559-415-8602 with recorded statements that my Social Security has been compromised.
I believe this is a scam and want to report it.
L.A.
Hi Patricia. 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. We hope this helps.
Deborah S.
I received a cellphone voicemail message today from (617) 286-6693 saying, “This is Leanna call you from the head office of Social Security Administration. Your social security number has been suspended, please contact a General Audit Paralegal officer at 617-286-6693 immediately, thank you.” I think this is fraudulent.
L.A.
Hi Deborah. 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. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hello,
This phone number appeared on my caller id
at 12:51p.m. today, Tuesday, August 20th.
It said Social Security 877-850-7829
I called the Stamford CT Office and Ms. Potts believed
it to be fraudulent. She was very nice.
They did not leave a message.
I was a victim of a phone call scam year in August and reported it then to you also.
Thank you,
L.A.
Hi Ann. 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. We hope this helps.