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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DG
We received this email. No links, but they provided a Kansas phone number and a name, Ms. R. Phillips 816-936-4867. We called and they sounded legit. Gave the Social but stopped when they asked for the birth date. She gave another number 877-772-4309 and when we called that had to wait a few minutes. It sounded like the same person. She also wanted our info but we didn’t give it because other users online were saying it was a scam number. We called the SSA but the wait time is 4 hours. What can they do now that they have her SSN?
V.V.
Hi there. Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money. To inquire, you can call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. You can also call our national toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We are sorry for your experience. Our call wait times are higher than normal.
Kathleen S.
I recently applied for spousal benefit. Today I received an email telling me to call Carlos Arias at 1-855-257-0067 by April 23 to “resolve an issue” or my claim will be denied. I also found a call on my phone from Albuquerque 505 967-6938. The email looked funny to me. Are these bona fide phone numbers? I can’t get a response at 800 772-1213.
V.V.
Hi Kathleen: Thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money. Because you have recently applied, you should call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. You can also call our national toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Marilyn D.
A message is waiting for you at mySocialSecurity. Log in at https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL to read it. You can change your preferences about messages after you log in.*****
IS THIS SPAM OR REALLY FROM Social security office. I do have a My social security account.
A.C.
Hi, Marilyn. Please be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, or email messages. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the company. Avoid providing personal information unless you are certain of a person’s authority to have the information. In a few instances, we will use marketing firms to help raise awareness of Social Security’s online services, and this includes creating a personal my Social Security account. We allow these firms to send emails that will take individuals directly to our website. If you are not certain that an email you received came from Social Security or one of our marketing partners, DO NOT click the link. Visit our “Internet Phishing Alert” web page to learn more about how to detect a fraudulent email message. We hope this information helps!
Phyllis A.
Someone has been calling me once a week about someone using my ss card #. And that I’m going on trail for fraud. Here is the # 1.443.234.0725. Never give out my ss#. Please see if they can stop them from calling me. The first time they call they was coming to my home to arrest me because it’s four chargers against me. Thank you.
Phyllis A.
December 16, 2019 just got ssa fraud call 1.443.234.0725 threathen me with legal actions..
A.C.
Hi, Phyllis. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Phyllis M.
Someone has been calling me once a week about someone using my ss card #. And that I’m going on trail for fraud. Here is the # 1.443.234.0725. Never give out my ss#. Please see if they can stop them from calling me. The first time they call they was coming to my home to arrest me because it four chargers against me. I have high blood pressure don’t need them scarying for no reason. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Phyllis. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Cynthia
SSA FRAUD ATTEMPT: Just received a call from 800-552-9482 only to hear a robotic voice accuse me of social security fraud and then threaten me with legal action and then command that I press 1 for details.
L.A.
Hi Cynthia. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Jason B.
Hello,
I received the email below and was wondering if it is legitimate. I have forgotten my User ID and Password and I am hesitant to provide the information to retrieve it. Please let me know a secure way to get this information. Thank you.
Dear Jason:
We’d like to remind you to review your Social Security Statement online. The Statement has important Social Security information and, if applicable, estimates of your future benefits.
If you are working, we encourage you to check your Statement yearly to make sure your earnings record is correct. The Statement also will help in planning your financial future.
To view your most recent Statement, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/reviewyourstatement and sign in to your account.
On June 10, 2017, we added a second method to verify your identity each time you sign in to your account. This is in addition to your username and password. Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and fraud. Now, when you sign in to your account you will complete two steps:
Karen S.
now I am getting calls that have an option of press 1 to connect to an agent/representative from SSA so I don’t lose my social security or have my number deleted.
You have to do more to warn people… they can easily fall for this type of scam since now they sound more real if you press 1.
TN ank you.
L.A.
Hi Karen. Thanks for letting us know. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
maureen S.
Is this a legitimate address:
subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov
I received an email to opt out of my SS mail.