Fraudulent Emails Pretend to Be From Social Security Administration | What to Watch Out For
The agency said official messages end in .gov and warned that 330,000 government impersonation complaints were filed last year, according to federal data.
- The Social Security Administration and Office of Inspector General issued an urgent warning regarding a surge in fraudulent emails falsely claiming recipients' Social Security statements are ready for download to steal personal data.
- Official SSA messages originate from email addresses ending in ".gov," unlike these deceptive emails that use "official-looking language," logos, and formatting to appear authentic. Scammers create false urgency during tax season when people expect government communications.
- Fraudsters now use the names and pictures of actual employees from the Social Security Administration to increase credibility. Once clicked, embedded links may install malware or direct victims to fake websites intended to steal sensitive information and login credentials.
- Older adults are frequently targeted in Social Security-related scams. From 2020 to 2024, the number of older adults who lost $10,000 or more to such scams increased more than fourfold, according to the FTC consumer protection report.
- The agency advises the public to avoid clicking email links and instead type ssa.gov directly into browsers to verify accounts. Victims should report incidents to the OIG or file complaints at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official record.
23 Articles
23 Articles
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