HHS Hotline Phone Scam

A new phone scam spoofing the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) has been making its rounds.  Scammers are able to clone the HHS OIG hotline on the target's caller ID in order for the call to appear legitimate.  This way, confidential information may be easier to obtain.

The caller poses as an HHS employee that works in the "Federal Grants Department", or in a similar department.  Then, they typically tell their targets they are eligible for a grant from the federal government because their taxes were paid on time.  The person being scammed is then told all that is needed to receive the grant is confirm their identity by providing their name and Social Security number or bank account number, and then pay for the processing fees.  To pay for the processing fees, $250 can be wired through Western Union, or they can give the caller the confirmation code for a $250 iTunes gift card.  This should be a red flag since our government does not accept payment in gift cards.

The scammers do not offer the faux grant every time.  Other times, scammers are calling under the same alias to see if you will confirm your personal information.

The HHS OIG hotline does not use its phones to place outgoing calls.  Their hotline only receives calls.  Also, the federal government will never call you to request or confirm information.  in order to receive a grant, you must apply for one; the government will not give out a grant as an incentive.

If an unknown individual calls you over the phone, never confirm your name or give any personal information out, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, credit card or bank account information, driver's license number, or your mother's maiden name.  Even if they sound authoritative, do not give them the information.  Confirming sensitive information should not take place over the phone.