Frauds & Scams

Scammers Fake Social Security Email

January 27, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: March 23, 2022

warning.scam.alertThe 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.

screen2

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?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
See Comments

About the Author

Comments

  1. Donna J.

    Just want to know if this is a vaid social security number.

  2. Frank F.

    Beware of Philippe Ballesio, a French swindler who takes advantage of retired people to cheat them by offering fraudulent financial products.

  3. Paragis

    Nice article. Combination of story and teaching. Interesting, helpful and easy to understand. Thanks for the article. Good luck!
    Paragis

  4. Karen N.

    There was no 2-factor authentication when logging onto my social security. What is happening?

    Also, I usually get prompted to change my password after 6 months. Not this time. What is happening.

    Was at official site.

  5. Feorgebag

    Hermes Replica https://www.perfectbirkin.com https://www.perfectbirkin.com Hermes Birkin Replica

  6. Nairobi

    ___123___Scammers fake Social Security email | Social Security Matterss___123___

  7. Imari

    ___123___Scammers fake Social Security email | Social Security Matterss___123___

  8. Claire H.

  9. disfunçăo e.

    Você nunca despesa aproveitar com sua Bem-estar, em
    algum tempo tome alguma adenda de outra maneira acendedor que nunca amém Abençoado pela
    ANVISA, X Turbo Energia fundamental é Conforme Registrado e autenticado através de Ministério da Resistência. http://www.mcu.es/bfirbip/index.php/bfirbip/comment/view/44/37/52

  10. Helenterty

    event rentals business plan
    free sample business plan for agriculture

Comments are closed.