Scammers use OIG number to obtain bank account and personal information

The Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) telephone number is being spoofed in a scam that aims to obtain identity and financial information, the OIG warned in an alert published March 3.

The perpetrators alter caller ID information to make it appear that the call originates from the OIG Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) and claim to be OIG representatives. They then use several tactics to obtain personal information and gain access to the victim’s bank account, the OIG said.

The OIG does not use the hotline number to make outgoing calls. Individuals should not answer calls that appear to come from the hotline and should not provide personal or financial information during calls from individuals that claim to represent the hotline. The scammers may ask for:

• Bank account information
• Credit card information
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license number
• Mother’s maiden name
• Social Security number

Incoming calls to the Hotline are not affected. The OIG encourages individuals who believe they may have been the victim of the spoofing scam or received calls purporting to be from the hotline to report information through the hotline or spoof@oig.hhs.gov. Individuals may also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP. The OIG askes that reports include the date and time the call was received and any other relevant details.