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.
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June D.
This response email may be coming in late. But I wish to acknowledge receipt of it, and say thank you. I personally appreciate all the information, updates and whatever useful to us SSA members. Thank you ever for getting us in the know and in the loop. God bless all of you.
Jimmy
Wow! Thank you! I continuously needed to write on my website something like that. Can I take a portion of your post to my site?
http://www.holidayscanada.com/blogs/259/543/major-niche-pest-control-produc
ENDANG U.
I really appreciate for the info.
Youa
This is very good information and thank you for doing a wonderful job on informing the public about this. Aside from my job as an aging and disability resource specialist, I also host a one hour once a week educational and news session on one of the NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING phone conference. I would like to summary this article to the listeners during my session this week if permission allowed. Thank you.
Ray F.
We encourage you to share the information in this blog with your audience. Thank you for helping us spread the word!
Marie C.
My father taught me, SSA would never call or send you emails. A postage paid stamped envelope, would be the only way the government would contact me. I
believed him. Never had any hoaxes bother
me.
Nancy
Thank you so much for the information. Alerting us about scammers fake Social Security emails. It’s not right for people mess up people’s computers or hack in to fine out stuff they are not suppose to have. I sent this email on to a few of my friends as well. Let my friends know there are a lot of people who can hurt you in many ways.
Jim T.
Thanks for the heads-up. Ever think of using the “secure messaging” system used by the DVA to send official notices? Then we wouldn’t have to wonder if messages are really from SSA and not a fishing expedition.
Bill G.
Thanks for sharing..I’ve posted this on my FB page and notified folks by email to share. Really appreciate the heads up…
MESGHENA T.
WHAT IS H R 1314
Ray F.
H.R. 1314 is also called the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
Alice A.
I don’t understand what you are talking about.. I’m sorry if I did something wrong..