New Telephone Scam to Watch Out For

Telephone scammers are using 1-800-447-8477 to get your information 

A new telephone scam is targeting people across the country. Scammers pose as employees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). They try to get your personal information in order to steal money from your bank account and commit other fraud, like medical identity theft. The call will show up on your caller ID as if it’s coming from the HHS OIG hotline number: 1-800-447-8477. 

 

Don’t answer the call

To protect yourself, don’t pick up a call if you see this number. Health and Human Services never uses this hotline to make outgoing calls. If you do answer the call, don’t give out your personal information and hang up. Then report the scam. 

 

Report the scam:

• Call the HH OIG Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). This number is still safe to call to report fraud.
• Email spoof@oig.hhs.gov.
• Call the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

Health and Human Services is working hard to put an end to this scam. Whatch this video on how to prevent and stop medical identity theft.