SSA OIG Scam Alert: Avoid Clicking the Fake Links to ‘Claim SSA Benefits’ – They’re Scams!

Do Not Click the Link to Claim SSA Benefits!

Emails to apply for retirement starting in 2025 are phony

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is warning the public of a new scam tactic by criminals trying to lure potential retirement applicants to their site.

This recent scam email appears to be from SSA and has the subject line: “Claim Benefits!” It states “Important: Apply for Your Social Security Benefits Starting in 2025”. The link within the phony email is disguised as SSA’s official website, www.ssa.gov or www.socialsecurity.gov. Clicking on the link within the email redirects individuals to a fraudulent site.

THIS EMAIL IS NOT FROM SSA.

One example of this new imposter email is shown here. It is important to see that the email is from “Social Administration,” and reflects a personal or non-government email address. Government agencies always have “.gov” as part of their official email address.

SSA OIG is advising you to always be cautious of responding to unsolicited emails that appear to be from an official government entity, such as SSA, or another federal agency. These emails are a variation of government imposter scams. DELETE IT. Don’t click on links or respond to any text, email, phone call, or letter that has characteristics of a scam. See warning signs at ssa.gov/scam. To contact SSA for business purposes, visit ssa.gov to find the correct information.

“Scammers use benefits, benefit increases, prizes, or problems to attract your attention so that they can entice or intimidate unsuspecting persons with their ploys,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General. “Our priorities are to educate consumers on how to avoid these vicious attempts and to help you keep your personal identifying information and money secure. We will continue to tell you when we become aware of tactics such as this one.”

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM

• Stop talking to the scammer. Notify financial institutions and safeguard accounts.
• Report Social Security-related scams to SSA OIG (oig.ssa.gov).
• Contact local law enforcement and file a police report.
• If you lost money, file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).
• Report other scams to the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov).
• Keep financial transaction information and the record of all communications with the scammer.