Frauds & Scams

Inspector General Warns Public About SSA Impersonation Schemes

July 16, 2018 • By

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Last Updated: July 16, 2018

elderly woman on cell phoneThe 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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About the Author

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director

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Comments

  1. Danielle P.

    Dear Anderw Cannarsa,

    Good After Noon public information is inspired in every impact which conduct all govern departments national compliance . In that same relation the general in subscribed in communication personal of cooperation ideal perspective . Actual providing open Communication is rule in judgement in the notion in motive in junction too obligation resources . In spring in to commune reference to agony government in the relation communication; brewing the aggression in provision of networking . Clearly the effort is noted in exchange for omission in my rears.Passive reference have been conducted to express social rational with exclusive promotion in communication to directive . Posture in the full recommendation are access to modern conversation .

  2. Nancy H.

    I received one of these calls and hung up on them because I did not think the SS office made phone calls. The article I just read warning about the schemes says SS does make these types of calls. So I am now wondering what happens if we are suspicious of the caller therefor refuse to provide information or hang up on them? What happens if the caller really was from the SS office. I am sure they don’t appreciate being hung up on. How can we verify the caller is legit?

    • Ray F.

      Hello Nancy. SSA employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employees may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
      If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, 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 (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
      Also, you can report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
      Thanks!

  3. Cindy O.

    With the new Medicare cards being sent across the US the fraudsters are looking at new ways to obtain SS numbers from unsuspecting citizens. This is a BIG one and I warn all beneficiaries that SS, Medicare and the IRS do not make unsolicited calls to beneficiaries. Thank you for sharing this new fraud scheme.

    • Ray F.

      Than you for your comment, Cindy. Your new card will have a new Medicare Number that’s unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number. This will help to protect your identity. Visit http://www.Medicare.gov for more information on this topic.

  4. Nicy M.

    Thanks and God Bless

  5. Kristine W.

    This is horrible. They need to be prosecuted to the full extend of the law.

  6. Maria D.

    Good to know this I have ID protection for 7 years but can someone pretend is me and try to get my benefits to there account. I’ve not changed my account only updated my new number n email. Is confirmed here I believed. Thanks.

    • Snarky

      Try again. Maybe the third times a charm. You made no sense the first two times.

      • Jen

        You are not Snarky .. you are just a mean spirited bully

        • Jen

          And you hide behind your keyboard typing mean things when people are here for information on a government website .. what the heck is the matter with YOU ??

  7. Maria D.

    Good to know this I have ID protection for 7 years but can someone pretebd is me and tey to get my benefits to there account. I’ve not changed my acvount only updated my new number n email. Is confirmed here I believed. Thanks.

  8. Mario R.

    Español

  9. Mario R.

    Enviarme todo en español. Gracias

  10. Mario R.

    Por favor enviarme toda esta informacion en español

Comments are closed.