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. mary h.

    Was contacted by someone saying they were social security people and my ss number had been compromised they wanted my ss number and they would take care of it they wanted me to call this number2147174868

  2. Elizabeth J.

    I just now received a robo phone call from the above number 800-772-1213. how can they use the SS dept’s authentic number and it still be bogus? I hung up

  3. Elaine S.

    Received a call on Sat. Dec.8,2018 wanting info.,telling me my SS was being discontinued.Wanted me to talk to someone to give them info.Hung up on them.

  4. Nila Y.

    Just got a Social Security scam exactly as u describe with threat of loosing benefits. The phone # showed up as 443-356-6495. We are both disabled, 70 and 83 years old and we get at least 2 to 6 spam calls a day.. if anything can help catch these people, let me know. Thanks, Nila

  5. Marie D.

    I received an email asking if I had received my new, updated medicare card. I have not. I believe you have my correct address as I get a social security check every month.. I tried calling the number 1-800-MEDICARE that was given. I got replies that said it was not a workin g number, I got a free medic alert alert pe pendant; weird stuff; I am dialing 1-800-633-4273. I do not know what else t o do.

    • R.F.

      Hello Marie. Medicare will automatically mail your new card to the address you have on file with Social Security. As long as your address is up to date, there’s nothing you need to do. Mailing millions of Medicare cards takes some time, so you might get your card at a different time than friends or neighbors in your area.
      Visit Medicare.gov/NewCard and sign up to get email alerts from Medicare. Medicare will send you an email when cards start mailing in your state. Thanks!

  6. Sharon B.

    this happened to me this morning. and they continue to call me thru the day. they say they are from el paso texas.

  7. RASIKLAL A.

    I received ph call from person and shows on caller ID on cell ph that ph came from SSA.there is discrepancy on my record..can you tell me your name and last four digit of SSN.after short time on fr Nov 23 .callback he gave me reference number his name and id.# he asked to me varification my full name and SSN .and he hung up.so I like to report

  8. Eileen G.

    Call came from Frostburg, MD 240-284-9833 today. Said my SS account showed signs of fraudulent activity so account was suspended and I wouldn’t be getting my check. If I didn’t call this number and attend to this matter a warrant would be issued for my arrest. Of course I didn’t call. I will report it Monday. Just thought people might want to beware of place and phone number.

  9. Byron G.

    A caller from Hingham, MA (781) 836-4596 called my wife and stated that her Social Security number is being used for illegal activities. I called them back but did not give them any info. Is this a scam?

    • V.V.

      Byron, thank you for checking in with us. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business 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 you have 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

  10. Nathan M.

    Dear IG SSA,

    1st I wanted to complement Ms. Hoffman in your Charlottesville, Va office. She was very professional.

    We called because my wife and I received a call from what was electronic voice from phone # 833-357-5092 that was threatening us. I call the SSA office to report the issue and inquire about scams.

    We are also both retired US Navy and we have gotten these kinds of call before from IRS threatening us only to realize they were scams.

    In any event we are being more aware of scams and making sure the IG knows.

    Again, I appreciate how professional Ms. Hoffman is and appreciate the SSA keeping tabs.

    Respectfully,

    • R.F.

      Hello Nathan. We’re pleased we can help. Our employees are committed to providing the public with the best service possible.
      We promise to pass your note along to our colleague. Thanks!

Comments are closed.