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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Sharvari P.
Thanks for sharing the useful information. It is really a great blog.
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James E.
It would be very nice if you could get me a notification every time someone registers/checks on my Social Security number, especially if its trying to be used for a job. I’m 82 years old and unemployable, so no one should use my number on an application for anything. Please consider doing this. Thank you.
Lisa D.
Received cold sales call from 3rd party claiming SSA told them to call me regarding ticket to work services and asking for my personal information. Does SSA ask 3rd parties to contact individuals?
R.F.
Hello Lisa. Thank you for checking with us. The telephone numbers associated with Social Security’s Ticket to Work program are 855-835-0010 or 855-453-7196.
Social Security representatives will occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. However, if you -at anytime- 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).
We hope this is helpful to you.
Melinda H.
I’ve got two recorded messages today from y’all, SSA, telling me to call asap. Do I need to??
A.C.
Hi, Melinda. We do not usually make random calls or request your personal information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. We hope this helps.
Jeppesen J.
Annual Reminder to Review Your Social Security Statement email
Is this real?
Virginia L.
How do I apply for SSI
Nina S.
I received a phone call with a robo call stating that this was the final notification from Social Security before punitive action will be taken. The phone call showed that it was made from Creve Coeur, MO. The phone number displayed was 1-314-514-4166.
Janice P.
I have received two phone calls. One was a recording so I hung up. The calling number said Dallas, Texas 972 546 7558. I called the number back. It was answered by Clarissa Hernandez as The Social Security Administration. I hung up after stating I would report the call to the SSA. That call was today, July 23, 2018.
The first call on July 2 was a voice mail from 972 220 8949 asking for my husband a Ray Bright. We did not return that call.
Is someone trying to reach us about legimitate business or are these scams?
R.F.
Thank you for sharing, Janice. Social Security Administration (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.
The Federal Trade Commission, which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
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. Thanks, again!
Bertha A.
Thanks for sharing that. The latest
here is an article in the newspaper –
The Globe – Repayment plans protect
seniors. The Elderbridge Agency on
Aging. IT was for low-income SS
recipients receiving a notice from SS
that they’ve been overpaid. It was a
confusing article saying they would have to repay SS as got too much. I did
not understand so confusing to others.
Is this a hoax too?
Marian H.
I read on Facebook about social security giving back tens of thousands dollars two people over 60. Because of a accounting error. Is there any truth to this. I don’t think so but I thought I would ask
R.F.
Hello Marian. Social Security frequently reviews records to determine if we are paying the proper amount of benefits. If there were any additional benefits payable, we would officially contact our beneficiaries. Thanks!