How to Spot an Imposter Social Security Social Media Account
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 29, 2024
Do you know how to spot fake Social Security social media accounts? The tips below will help you protect yourself and your family.
How fraudsters create imposter accounts
Fraudsters create imposter social media pages and accounts using Social Security-related images and jargon, making them appear as if they’re associated with or endorsed by us. They also create imposter social media pages of Social Security and OIG officials, such as the Commissioner or the Inspector General.
Protect your personally identifiable information
We will never ask for sensitive information through social media as these channels are not secure. Sometimes, users are asked to enter their financial information, Social Security number (SSN), or other sensitive information. This is a red flag, and often an indication of a fraudulent account.
How to spot a fake social media account
Identifying an imposter account may seem difficult at first, but there are a few things you can look for right away. You will want to focus on the following:
- How many people follow the imposter page. In most cases, fake pages have a very low number of followers as compared to Social Security’s official page.
- Improper punctuation.
- Links to pages not on SSA.gov.
- Advertisements for forms or other Social Security documents.
- Incorrect social media handle. To view the list of our official social media channels, we encourage you to visit our Social Media webpage.
Please report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website. You can find more information about scams on our webpage, Protect Yourself from Scams.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.
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Tags: data privacy, fraud, scams, social security
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Suzanne T.
I hated it. I got scammed. I thought some of them I thought they were friends. It won’t happen again.
Alan L.
I keep seeing “news” articles saying that there are stimulus payments, special payments, etc. Latest one said $3700 will be sent out with regular March payment. I noticed a lot of these articles will say “Government of America has approved (or something similar)…” I think Social Security should maybe put thus in newsletters, or statements as it seems it is the set-up to potential scams that people will fall for as a lot of us receptiants are severely struggling financially.
Billie S.
I received phone call from 205-801-1111
talk to Ms Ford from SSA about my application for ss benefits
Is this good number
Diane F.
Probably Not.The numbers like odd numbers to me! Call it intuition. Contact your local SS office or the national number.
C.B.
Hi, Billie. Thanks for using our blog and for your question. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call. This number appears suspicious. If you receive another suspicious call: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information, check out Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams. We hope this helps.
Judith M.
How do I change my address?
C.B.
Hi, Judith. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security Account to change your address online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local Social Security Office immediately. We hope this helps.
Patricia H.
My mother has been moved from an assisted living facility to a healthcare facility and is receiving hospice care. She cannot join me on a phone call for which I would need to wait 2 hours on hold to change her address. Is there any other way to change her mailing address to mine? This has nothing to do with her finances as she has direct deposit. Simply a mailing address change.
C.B.
Hi Patricia, thank you for using our blog. Because of privacy and security concerns, you will not be able to conduct Social Security business on behalf of your mother unless you are her representative payee. FYI—Even having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or having a joint bank account with your mother does not authorize you to access information on her Social Security record. If your mother does not have a representative payee, someone should consider applying. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, A Guide for Representative Payees. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this information helps.
Uzair
As a vigilant social media user, it’s essential to stay alert for imposter Social Security accounts. Educating ourselves on the red flags and tips shared in this article can help safeguard our personal information and prevent potential scams.
Lawrence
Thank you for sharing these valuable insights on identifying imposter Social Security social media accounts! It’s crucial to stay vigilant and informed to protect ourselves from potential scams online.
RAZU A.
My legal information
Susan P.
I received an email that said I had a letter from SS it would not open, thank goodness
Dick L.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION is being RANSACKED FROM WITHIN by their very own OIG, CDI PROGRAM UNIT, overseers, contractors and affiliates. They are intentionally causing financial hardships, blocking all types of income so you can’t progress, poisoning people by giving them unknown substance without their knowledge by threatening an paying someone who usually would have access to your nutrition to put these things into your food and beverages. They intentionally block all opportunities for income and also online sources of income so don’t think being an online trader will work. All these while they threaten and pay people “to not say anything” it’s a secret” “they’re not suppose to know” ” don’t tell them” meanwhile they threaten people to make FALSE statements about the individual and force them to believe conspiracies and many FALSE theories of the reasons why this is OCCURING. SSA is a POVERTY PROGRAM is what they claim to keep you unemployed and isolated. The SSA OIG routinely deal in RACKETEERING, CONSPIRACY AND FRAUD. RANSACKING THE ADMINISTRATION FROM WITHIN.