Scammers are calling claimants or beneficiaries and falsely claiming to be from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Scammers often use a tactic called "spoofing," where they use fake caller ID information to impersonate someone. They’re trying to trick you into believing you’re talking to the OWCP so they can steal money or your personal information.
How to Spot a Spoofed Phone Call
It can be hard to tell if a call is from the OWCP or a scammer. Scammers often use technology to trick phone networks into displaying a name, number, and location different from their actual name, number and location.
- OWCP employees will NEVER ask you for credit card information, nor will they ever require payment via wire transfer, gift cards, cash, check, or money order to third-party addresses.
- There is often a demand for immediate action or payment that’s not due, and this is usually accompanied by a threat of not processing your claim or losing your benefits if you don’t pay. Calls from OWCP will not make demands from you, and requests will be made in writing.
- Some individuals or companies may say that they’re recommended by OWCP. OWCP does not recommend specific individuals or companies to assist in any way with the processing of claims filed.
What to do if You Receive a Spoofed OWCP Phone Call
If you receive a call from someone you suspect is a scammer, do not give them any personal identifying or payment information. Hang up!
We recommend you then take the following actions:
- Contact the OWCP program you have filed a claim with (FECA: 202-513-6860, Energy: 866-888-3322, Black Lung: 800-347-2502, Longshore/DBA: 202-513-6809) to verify the call was from an OWCP employee and for assistance on what to do next.
- If you have the number that called you, please give it to OWCP.
If you paid any money or gave the caller personal information, see what to do if you’ve been scammed.