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. David J.

    This morning I received a call from 800-777-2663 saying this is the office of social security. There is some information about my social security and if I don’t call it will forever be removed. Press #1 to talk to SS officer.
    I did not call because I know better.

  2. Deborah S.

    My late mother’s phone number just received a robo call warning that the SSA was terminating her “Social” account because of suspected fraud. “She” was instructed to call the following phone number: 682/804-7016. My mother, who died in December 2017, lived in Fairfax, Virginia.

  3. Sharon S.

    I received a voice message on my cell phone stating my SS card had been suspended due to unusual activity and to press 1 on my phone. The phone number 1-800-772-6362 was identified before the caller started t speak. I did not do anything but hang up but in calling the SS number, the recorded message stated a fraudulent calls are being made to the public and if receiving one, to report it to this office. .

  4. Martha M.

    Someone from the area code 903 called saying the were from Socisl security saying there was fraudulent use on my account. This is the 3rd time this has happened.

  5. Louise S.

    I have received several calls demanding a call back to a phone number from the Chicago area, 312. Stating that there is fraudulent activity on my Social Security number.. would I be receiving a phone call for something like that? I have not responded to the call, should I return the call to find out?

  6. Jack G.

    I have received two calls today from someone who says I need to talk to SS right away. I have not had any issues
    with SS that I am aware of. Their number is
    1-218 214-7497 from Bemidji , MN. I will not return
    that call and the voice was of a woman and she sounded
    very suspicious – I also would think that SS would be
    using 800 numbers.

  7. John H.

    Received a call from alleged SSA …… 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.
    CALL NUMBER: 928-793-4377 LOCATION: GLOBE, AZ
    When I returned the call I asked the nature of the call. I was told they could not give me that information until I provided my SS number and date of birth. When I refused, I asked for a supervisor. I gave him my last four digits and he responded there were too many with that number, therefore I needed to provide the entire number. I refused and told him to contact me in writing. I then hung up the phone.

  8. Richard A.

    I have been receiving calls saying there is legal action on my ssn. They ask for my ssn, and I said you called me, but they insisted I give them my number. Of course I said no and they hung up. Now I am getting calls from a different number with the same message. Numbers from: 1-650-480-6021 and 1-415-671-4713. Both from the San Francisco area.

  9. Kim

    I called to report fraudulant phone calls. the numbers you gave above are for reporting fraudulent use of SS # there is no option to report these phone calls.

  10. Kim

    I got a call on my cell # 3 times each time a new # 800-772-5664, 800-772-7176 and 800-772-9120. Each time it said my SS # had been comprimised and that my benifits would be suspended until I spoke with someone. and to press 1 to talk to a representative. The first 2 x I just blocked the #. the 3rd time I dialed 1. the person on the line wanted my name. I have him a fake name. He then said I have “pulled up your file” and asked for my address. I asked what office he was calling from, he said the Social Security office and he would give me his name and badge #. It was Andrew Dye Badge # 417J2741 and the address of the office is 1122 1st St. Los Angeles. He then asked again for my address. I told him this line is recorded and that he was really good at this, I was calling Social Security to verify. He hung up on me

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