Frauds & Scams

Social Security and Scam Awareness

November 16, 2023 • By

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Last Updated: November 16, 2023

Social Security and Scam AwarenessSocial Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use targeted, sophisticated tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money.

If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, do not respond. We want you to know how to identify a scammer and avoid becoming a victim.

We will NEVER:

  • Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
  • Suspend your Social Security number.
  • Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
  • Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
  • Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
  • Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information.

We only send text messages if you have opted in to receive texts from us and only in limited situations, including the following:

  • When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.
  • As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights.

We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website. You can find more information about scams on our webpage Protect Yourself from Scams. Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.

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About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

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Comments

  1. Givan A.

    I received an email from no-reply@ssa.gov about my new statement is ready to view.
    I deleted the email and will login directly to ssa.gov check if there is an statement. I usually dont click on emails, text from banks, gvt sites, I ignore it and go directly to the site.
    sad, so many scammers out there trying to rob elderly people

    • S.D.

      Hi, Givan. Thanks for reading our blog and for your comment. We send emails from several email addresses, including no-reply@ssa.gov. If you have a personal my Social Security account, we send an email once a year to remind you to review your online Social Security Statement. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

      • Bob

        Hello Sue,

        I also received an email from:

        no-reply-ssa-statements-co@getresponse-mail.com; on behalf of; DoNotReply@SSAElectronicStatments.G0V no-reply@ssa-statements.co

        This email is not the same as the annual reminder emails, which I am well acquainted with.

        Subject line was: “Your Latest e-statement is Now Available”

        The text indicated: “Your Social Security Statement is streamlined and easier to read than ever before……”

        A link was provided to access the statement. A password was provided to access the “file.”

        Hovering over the link to the statement did not appear to include any government website information.

        I checked my account and there were no messages showing from SS, nor did there appear to be any such thing as a “new electronic statement.”

        I reported this to the Office of the Inspector General: SSA Scam Reporting.

      • Jenny A.

        Hi,

        The email address shows as
        DoNotReply@SSAElectronicStatments.G0V

        so it is easy to be decieved!

  2. Ms G.

    I just received a statement saying Social security Administration owed me money 401dollars to be exact. This was done via text messaging I will call SS Administration tomorrow as today is Sunday I know their are a lot of scammers out there I want to make sure this info is correct Thank You Ms Ginger Crawford

    • S.D.

      Hi, Ginger. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Generally, we will only contact you if you have ongoing business with us. And, we will only send you text messages and emails if you have agreed to receive them and only in limited situations. If you’re not sure a text or e-mail came from us, DON’T respond to it or click on any links in the message. You can report the suspicious text here. Please continue to be vigilant. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams. We hope this helps.

  3. Paul

    I received a letter from SSA addressed to someone else but at my home address. Simple mistake or possible scam?

    • S.D.

      We appreciate your concern, Paul. Please mail or take the notice to your local Social Security office as soon as possible. You’ll find the address here.  We hope this helps.

       

  4. Martha R.

    Thank you for all the information you have given me this is all going to help me.

  5. Terre L.

    Terre L.
    December 9, 2023 12:15PM

    Probably just used your social security #’s to work as illegals in the U.S.
    It happened to me in 1979 when I was on public assistance in San Diego. I went to social security office to report and was told there was nothing they could do. (???)
    Well, logic tells our gov’t was making bank on three illegals paying S.S. fraudulently, , but they would never be able to collect on it at 65! Win-win for gov’t!
    I was also told it would not add to my S.S. benefit at 65 because they knew it was fraudulently use.
    My welfare worker told me it was three illegals in Lis Angeles working in the restaurant and fishing industry.

  6. Johnboy

    Received email today with address

    do-not-reply-message-center@ssa.gov

    Looks almost what the official ssa address looks like … but not quite. Couple of extra dashes?

    Might be real … Mabel not??

    Can’t trust anyone

    • S.D.

      Hi, Johnboy. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. The email address appears to be legitimate. For more information about the emails we send, review our Frequently Asked Questions. However, please continue to be cautious. If you’re not sure an e-mail came from us or one of our marketing firms, DON’T respond to it or click on any links in the email message. We hope this helps.

      • Chris

        Just received an email this morning at 1:13 from:

        nossag0vreply@emallssagov.org

        Claiming to have my most recent E-statement with a link. Assuming it is a scam?

        • S.D.

          Hi, Chris. Thanks for reading our blog and for being cautious. Most emails from Social Security will come from a “.gov” email address. If an email address does not end in “.gov”, you should always use caution before opening attachments or clicking on pictures or links in the email. We do send an email once a year to remind you to review your online Social Security Statement. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

           

           

  7. Cranaldo

    Stay vigilant against social security scams. Fraudsters often impersonate government officials, claiming issues with your Social Security number. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages demanding personal information or immediate action. Legitimate agencies won’t threaten arrest or suspension. Verify the contact’s authenticity, and report suspicious activity to the authorities. Protect yourself and others by staying informed and sharing scam awareness. Cronalod

  8. Sharonda F.

    Louis Torres is not my family or father of my kids and my husband Louis John Jones Rosario and me the mom Sharonda Frazier JOnes Rosario and etc people and Antonio sanders isnt either and others that robbed our information and kids and fraud

    • Terre L.

      Probably just used your social security #’s to work as illegals in the U.S.
      It happened to me in 1979 when I was on public assistance in San Diego. I went to social security office to report and was told there was nothing they could do. (???)
      Well, logic tells our gov’t was making bank on three illegals paying S.S. fraudulently, , but they would never be able to collect on it at 65! Win-win for gov’t!
      I was also told it would not add to my S.S. benefit at 65 because they knew it was fraudulently use.
      My welfare worker told me it was three illegals in Lis Angeles working in the restaurant and fishing industry.

  9. masud

    There are many benefits to starting a small business. Small businesses are great because you get the opportunity to create something from the ground up, and you have more control over what happens. And it’s easier to manage your time with a small business since there are fewer people involved. You can also make more money if your business is successful than if you work for someone else, even at a high-paying job.

  10. Steve S.

    99 % of the people are scamers in this country including the white house on down to the states and who is paying for their actions it is the poor people this country has forgotton the god who gave us many blessings and not those blessing are being taken away from us

Comments are closed.