Nationwide Telephone Imposter Phishing Scam Reported by Social Security Administration
Your BBB® just received a fraud advisory from the Acting Inspector General of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Gale Stallworth Stone. The SSA has received reports from across the country about individuals claiming to be Social Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigators.
According to the OIGSSA News Release the calls include a recording which says the person’s Social Security account, Social Security number (SSN), and/or benefits are suspended. The recording tells the person to call 806-680-2373 to resolve the situation.
When the person calls the number, the imposters try to acquire personal information. Acting Inspector General Stone stated, “This phishing scheme is targeting unsuspecting persons for the purpose of Social Security benefit theft or identity theft.” Although OIG investigators occasionally contact people by phone for investigative purposes, they will not request sensitive personal information. Stone advises people to be cautious and to avoid providing personal information such as SSN or bank account numbers to unknown persons over the phone or the internet unless they are certain of who is receiving it.