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Social Security Scams: Calls, Texts and Emails to Watch For

Fake Social Security calls, texts and 'statement' emails threaten suspended numbers and arrest. The four signs of a scam and what the real SSA won't do.

By Nathan Fielder Checked against official sources

Updated : Added the SSA Inspector General warning about fees to increase benefits and a link to the 2027 COLA scam alert. Published

Quick answer

Social Security scams use calls, texts and fake 'statement' emails claiming your number is suspended, your benefits will stop or you're under investigation. The real Social Security Administration won't threaten arrest, demand immediate payment or ask for gift cards, crypto or cash. Hang up, don't click, and report it at oig.ssa.gov/report.

Social Security scams usually start with a frightening call, text or email saying your Social Security number has been “suspended” because of a crime and that you will be arrested unless you act today. That fear is exactly what the scammer is counting on.

The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) warn that criminals keep impersonating the agency by phone, text, email, letter and social media. They may use the real name of someone who works there and may even send a picture of a badge as “proof.” Government impostor scams are costly: in 2025, people 60 and older reported about $413 million in losses to government impersonation scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Here is what Social Security scams look like today, how to tell the difference, and what to do.

What are the four signs of a Social Security scam?

Social Security teaches a simple pattern that fits almost every impostor scam:

  1. They pretend to be from an agency or organization you know.
  2. They say there is a problem or a prize — a suspended number, a benefit increase, a crime linked to your name.
  3. They pressure you to act immediately.
  4. They tell you to pay in a specific way, usually one that is hard to trace.

If a call, text or email has all four, you do not need to know anything else.

What do Social Security scam calls sound like?

Many of these scams start with a phone call. A recorded message or a live caller claims your number has been suspended, that your bank account will be seized, or that you are under investigation — and that you must call back or “press 1” right now.

EXAMPLE — SCAM
Voicemail transcript (202) 555-0193

This is an urgent message from the Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity linked to your name.

To avoid legal action and the seizure of your bank account, press 1 now or call back immediately to speak with a federal officer. Do not ignore this message.

A fake Social Security voicemail threatening arrest This is a made-up example based on real scam reports. Never reply to, call, or tap links in messages like this.

Caller ID proves nothing. Social Security warns that scammers spoof official government phone numbers — even the numbers of local police departments. In a July 29, 2026 alert, the SSA Office of the Inspector General warned that legitimate companies and other agencies cannot transfer your call directly to Social Security or the OIG. If someone offers to, it is a scam.

What do Social Security scam texts say?

Texts may claim there is a problem with your benefits, offer a cost-of-living increase that needs to be “activated,” or ask you to confirm personal details through a link. Social Security says it will never ask for sensitive or personal information through social media, email or text message.

EXAMPLE — SCAM
(410) 555-0136 Text message

SSA Notice: Your 2027 COLA benefit increase is on hold. Verify your identity within 24 hrs to avoid suspension of payments: https://ssa-benefits.example.com/verify

A fake Social Security text about a benefit increase This is a made-up example based on real scam reports. Never reply to, call, or tap links in messages like this.

The SSA’s scam page lists “claiming to need personal information or payment to activate a cost-of-living adjustment” as one of the red flags.

Is a Social Security statement email real?

Not always. In February 2026 the SSA Inspector General warned of a surge in fraudulent Social Security statement emails. These messages copy official branding and formatting, say your statement is ready to download, and push you to click a link or open an attachment. The OIG says those links and attachments may install malware or lead to fake websites that steal personal and financial information.

EXAMPLE — SCAM
A fake Social Security statement email with a download link This is a made-up example based on real scam reports. Never reply to, call, or tap links in messages like this.

Warning signs the OIG lists: a message saying your statement is ready to download, links or attachments labeled as statements, pressure to act immediately, and a sender address that does not end in .gov. Official SSA emails come from .gov addresses, and SSA does not send unsolicited attachments or direct download links. To see your real statement, type ssa.gov/myaccount into your browser yourself.

A related scheme uses fake letters “from the SSA Office of the Inspector General.” In November 2025 the OIG warned about an email titled “Alert: Social Security Account Issues Detected” with an attachment on fake OIG letterhead claiming your number would be suspended within 24 hours because of criminal activity. The OIG says it will never send letters like that.

What will Social Security never do?

Social Security lists these as red flags. Anyone who does them is not from Social Security:

  • Threatens to arrest you or take legal action unless you pay right away.
  • Threatens to suspend your Social Security number or seize your bank account.
  • Says you must pay or give personal information to activate a cost-of-living increase.
  • Asks you to pay with gift cards, gold or silver, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or mailed cash.
  • Tells you to move your money to a “protected” account to keep it safe.
  • Offers to send someone to pick up cash, gold bars or other assets in person.
  • Demands that you keep the call secret.
  • Emails or texts pictures of badges, credentials or official-looking documents. (Social Security says federal law enforcement and federal employees never send photos of credentials or badges to demand payment.)
  • Builds a friendship or romance over time and then offers to help you trade or invest money.

How do you spot a fake Social Security account on social media?

Scammers also create look-alike social media accounts using SSA images and jargon. Social Security says to watch for low follower counts, spelling mistakes, links to websites that do not end in .gov, incorrect account handles, and anyone charging money for forms or documents that are normally free — such as a replacement Social Security card.

Can someone increase your Social Security benefits for a fee?

No. In a September 2026 alert, the SSA Office of the Inspector General warned about unsolicited calls, ads, letters, texts and social media posts offering to “boost,” “unlock” or “maximize” your benefits for an upfront fee. The OIG says Social Security does not offer to increase benefits in exchange for money, benefit amounts are set by law, and you never need to pay processing or administrative fees to receive an increase. For scams tied to the yearly cost-of-living adjustment, see 2027 Social Security COLA scams.

What should you say to a Social Security scam caller?

You do not owe a scammer a conversation. Any of these will do:

  • “I’ll contact Social Security myself.” Then hang up.
  • “I don’t discuss this over the phone.” Then hang up.
  • Or simply hang up without saying anything.

What if you already paid or shared information?

Social Security’s message to scam victims is worth repeating: criminal behavior is not your fault. Stop talking to the scammer and block them, call your bank or the company you used to pay, and report the crime to your local police. If you clicked a link, opened an attachment or shared information, the OIG says to stop all contact and contact your financial institutions to secure your accounts. Our first-hour checklist walks you through each step.

Then report the impostor to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report. Reports help investigators spot new tactics and warn others. For other agencies that scammers impersonate — the IRS, Medicare, the FTC and “federal agents” — see our guide to government impostor scams.

Our guide to reporting a scam call shows where to report impostor calls step by step. If you paid with gift cards, see gift card scams, and if a scammer has your Social Security number, follow our identity theft steps. The same callers often pose as Medicare, so see what to do in the first five minutes of a “Medicare” call.

Scammers who pose as Social Security often pose as the IRS too. See our guide to IRS scams.

Red flags: how to spot this scam

  1. The caller says your Social Security number has been suspended or linked to a crime, and threatens arrest, legal action or the seizure of your bank account.
  2. You are told to pay with gift cards, gold or silver, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or mailed cash — or to move your money to a "protected" account.
  3. An email says your Social Security statement is ready to download, with a link or attachment, from an address that does not end in .gov.
  4. The caller demands secrecy, offers to transfer you to a law enforcement agent, or sends a photo of a badge or official-looking document.

What to do

  1. Hang up or ignore the message. Do not click links or open attachments.
  2. If you are worried about your benefits, contact Social Security yourself using contact information from the official SSA website.
  3. To see your statement or account, type ssa.gov/myaccount into your browser yourself.
  4. Report the scam to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.
  5. If you clicked a link, opened an attachment or shared information, stop all contact and call your bank or other financial institutions to secure your accounts.
  6. If you lost money, also report it to your local police and the FBI at IC3.gov.

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Where to report it

Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others — even if you did not lose money. Type these addresses yourself or use the links below; do not use links from a suspicious message.

  • Social Security Office of the Inspector General

    Calls, letters or messages from people pretending to be Social Security.

    oig.ssa.gov

  • Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)

    Phone calls from people pretending to be the IRS.

    tigta.gov

  • IRS — report fake IRS emails and messages

    Emails and texts that pretend to come from the IRS or the Treasury.

    irs.gov

  • HHS Office of Inspector General

    Medicare and Medicaid fraud, including people asking for your Medicare number.

    oig.hhs.gov

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

    Any scam, fraud or bad business practice — calls, texts, emails, websites and impostors.

    ReportFraud.ftc.gov

You can also report to your state attorney general. If you sent money, call your bank or card company right away using the number on the back of your card.

Frequently asked questions

Can my Social Security number really be suspended?

No. Social Security lists threats to suspend your Social Security number as a scam tactic, and the FTC says Social Security won't suspend your number. Anyone who says your number is suspended is trying to scare you.

Does Social Security send texts or emails?

Social Security says it will never ask for sensitive personal information through social media, email or text message. Official SSA emails come from addresses ending in .gov, and SSA does not send unsolicited attachments or download links.

I got an email saying my Social Security statement is ready. Is it real?

Be very careful. In February 2026 the SSA Inspector General warned of a surge in fake 'statement' emails that copy official branding and push you to click links or download attachments that may install malware. Delete the email and type ssa.gov/myaccount into your browser yourself.

The caller knew my name and the last four digits of my Social Security number. Are they real?

Not necessarily. Social Security warns that scammers may already have some of your personal information. Having your details does not make the caller legitimate.

Someone offered to transfer my call to Social Security. Is that normal?

No. In July 2026 the SSA Inspector General warned that legitimate companies and other agencies cannot transfer your phone call directly to SSA or its Inspector General. If they claim they can, it's a scam.

Where do I report a Social Security scam?

Report it to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report. You can also report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to the FBI at IC3.gov and your local police if you lost money.

Sources

We rely on official government sources. Read how we check facts in our editorial policy.

  1. SSA Office of the Inspector General: Don't Pay for Promises of Increased SSA Benefits (Sept. 21, 2026) (oig.ssa.gov, accessed )
  2. SSA Office of the Inspector General: Beware of Fake "Call Transfers" to Social Security or OIG (July 29, 2026) (oig.ssa.gov, accessed )
  3. Social Security Administration: Protect Yourself from Scams (ssa.gov, accessed )
  4. SSA OIG: Warns Public of Surge in Fraudulent Social Security Statement Emails (Feb. 19, 2026) (oig.ssa.gov, accessed )
  5. SSA OIG: Unexpected Letter, Text, or Email from the SSA OIG? Think Scam First (Nov. 12, 2025) (oig.ssa.gov, accessed )
  6. FTC: How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
  7. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: 2025 IC3 Annual Report (Elder Fraud section) (ic3.gov, accessed )
  8. SSA Office of the Inspector General: Report fraud (oig.ssa.gov, accessed )

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