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.

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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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About the Author

Amy Herbert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

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Comments

  1. Diane R.

    I received a text as though it was from my verizon billing, and it prompted me to add info to stop payment. The phone number is 443 382 8053

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Diane. Thanks for letting us know. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.

  2. Edgar G.

    my name is Edgar Gallego ,my social security is *** – ** – *** ,mi date of birth day is March 18 .1952 ,I live in Cali,Valle Colombia about 2 years ,I have
    An postal address registered in USA 6891 Liberty street Hollywood Florida 33024-3928,At Colombia I live at Carrera 79 # 13 B 110 Apto 204 B
    Torres de Santorino
    Cali,Valle ,Colombia 760032 the Embassy code is 757.
    my email address is gaez52@hotmail.com. For several times I tried to open an account with the social security ,but after I fill the form with information verification ,appear that that information don’t match

  3. jeff l.

    all worked via phone in combination with computer…
    represented as
    ssa.us.department@gmail.com
    said they were straightening out mis-reps using social security number..will send me a new ss card friday…
    after being trounced by some one representing themselves as apple on the 18th and 19th…i think i’m in a knot…please advise…jefflondon

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jeff. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. Margaret W.

    My cell phone showed a voicemail from 508-815-4042. The male voice said: “We are suspending your Social Security number due to suspicious activity. Press 1 to continue.” At that point I hung up, went online to reverse phone lookup at whitepages.com. Several others had this same call. Some were asked for bank account or social security number. I’ve had several mysterious calls lately and screen them.

  5. Rosaura

    He also loved serving as a volunteer pediatrician at Greene Family
    Camp for many years. He loved Jewish culture and history, and sought out interesting Jewish landmarks and traditions throughout his
    worldwide travels with Jackie.

  6. Ann M.

    how does one get an appointment at the local field office?

    • Vonda V.

      Hello Ann. We currently do not have an online appointment scheduler. However you do not need an appointment to file for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can file for the following benefits online:
      •Retirement;
      •Medicare; and
      •Disability.

      If you do not want to apply for benefits online, or you need to speak to us for any other reason, you can schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment by:
      •Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; or
      •Contacting your local Social Security office. Thanks!

  7. Ellen

    Someone is calling from 315-215-1685 and pretending to be from SSA.

  8. George E.

    Even after 33 minutes on the phone with on of your Reps we have not been able to set up an account in my name.
    You never sent an account activation code during the process so the account opening could not be completed.
    Your rep said it might take a while but it has never come.
    I don’t think I should have to wait another hour and a half to get a rep. Please have one call. 910-673-1293
    George Ellis

  9. Roxanne C.

    I was just called on my landline from 610-465-7398. The recorded message said that they were the SSA and I was about to lose all SS benefits and all assets if I did not call them back right away. Of course I did not call them. It is unnerving though!

  10. Donald M.

    I received an e-mail from do-not-reply-message-center@ssa.gov
    Is this e-mail 100% legit.
    Yes I am currently receiving dish DISABILITY benefits.
    Thank you for your time.
    Donnie McGuire

Comments are closed.