Scammers Fake Social Security Email
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 23, 2022
The subject line says “Get Protected,” and the email talks about new features from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that can help taxpayers monitor their credit reports, and know about unauthorized use of their Social Security number. It even cites the IRS and the official-sounding “S.A.F.E Act 2015.” It sounds real, but it’s all made up.
It’s a phishing email to get you to click on a scammer’s link. If you do, a scammer can install malware — like viruses and spyware — on your computer. Or, the link might send you to a spoof site — a lookalike website set up by a scammer to trick you into entering your personal information.
Not sure if an email is really from the government? Here are a couple of clues. Did the email end up in your junk folder? Email providers use filters to help catch phishing scams and prevent spam from getting into your inbox. And when you hover your cursor over the link, is the web address really a trusted website? In this fake SSA email, when you hover over the URL you’re invited to click on, you see the link goes to an unrelated “.com” — instead of the Social Security Administration’s ssa.gov or another “.gov” site.
If you get a questionable email, don’t click on any links, or open any attachments. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — and to the real organization impersonated in the email. You also can report it to your email provider. Some email providers let you mark messages as phishing scams. Your report is most effective when you include the full email header, although most email programs hide this information. To find out the full header, type the name of your email service with “full email header” into your favorite search engine, and include this information in your report. When you’re done, delete the email.
If you’re unsure about an email that looks like it’s from the government, contact the agency directly. But find the contact info yourself.
Did you find this Information helpful?
About the Author
Comments
Comments are closed.
Alice A.
My husband passed away on 4/11/14.. I reported it to SS because he was drawing a SS check which they had to stop.. Today, 1/25/16, I get a letter in the mail, in MY HUSBANDS NAME, where someone got turned down for an account card to Victoria Secret because they were using MY HUSBANDS’ info and did not get the card because it said MY HUSBAND WAS DECEASED.. Thanks to SS turning my husbands death into the Credit BUREAU this person did not get to use his information…..It is a dying shame when someone tries to use a dead persons identity..It hurt me very much because I have had a hard time missing my husband since his death…
Washington
É isso, mente aguçada e olhos de aguia.
Deb
Anyone receive a letter from US Office of Personnel Management regarding cyber security? A former employer sent me the letter – it was mailed to the business and not to my home address. Wondering if legit. Something about my information may have been compromised in a “malicious cyber intrusion.” Offering protection through ID Experts, a “sub contractor” for OPM…
SANDRA J.
I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING … ON LINE…BUT THIS IS WHY I TRULY DO NOT WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH APPLICATIONS TO THIS SITE AND OTHER SITES AS WELL….I DO NOT LIKE GIVING OUT MY INFORMATION…BUT I DO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING IN OUR NOW ELECTRONIC WORLD….PEOPLE ARE DISRESPECTFUL TO PRIVATE INFORMATION….AND FOR THAT….THEY NEED TO BE PUNISHED….THANK YOU FOR THIS ENLIGHTENING INFOMATION….I WILL BE AWARE NOW….
SANDRA
Ray F.
Thank you for your comment. It is safe to use our “.gov site”. We take protecting the public’s personal information very seriously. All of our online applications use an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information. Using our online services at http://www.socialsecurity.gov to file for benefits is safe and secure. In addition, our goal is to provide helpful information to as many people as possible.
Carl
When this blog first started, gmail always sent your real emails to spam! I had to override the default settings, and so don’t know if this is still occurring.
bernard s.
thanks!good looking out
bernard s.
Thanks!good looking out!
Lynne D.
Thank you so very much for this information. I have
printed it out and its hanging on the wall near my
computer/ least I forget as my memory is not what it
used to be.
Clyde W.
I just got the email about(Scammers Fake Social Security Email). I read it and was closing the email, Then I looked at my address box and it said(TOYWIZ.COM). But I closed the Address box at the same time. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS WAS A FAKE EMAIL! I didn’t see any thing asking for my information. But please inform me if there are any changes it my account.
Desiree S.
I want thank you for letting me know about it.