UNITED STATES — The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) is warning the public about a growing wave of fraudulent emails that falsely claim to provide access to Social Security statements.
Officials say the messages are part of a government imposter scam designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful attachments—actions that could lead to identity theft, financial loss, or compromised personal data.
We are seeing a sharp increase in fraudulent emails designed to look like official Social Security Administration communications,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as First Assistant, via press release. “These messages are not from Social Security. Anyone who receives one should delete it immediately and report it.
According to the SSA OIG, the scam emails often appear convincing, using official-looking logos, colors, and language.
However, legitimate SSA emails only come from addresses ending in “.gov.” Messages that do not meet that standard should be treated as suspicious.
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The fraudulent emails typically claim that a recipient’s Social Security statement is ready to download and include links or attachments labeled as official documents. Many also attempt to create urgency, pressuring users to act quickly.
Authorities stress that individuals should avoid clicking any links or opening attachments in unsolicited messages and should never provide personal information in response.
Instead, users should access their accounts directly by typing “ssa.gov/myaccount” into their browser.
Those who receive suspicious emails are encouraged to report them immediately.
For individuals who may have already interacted with a scam message, officials recommend taking swift action.
This includes stopping all communication with the suspected scammer, contacting financial institutions to secure accounts, and reporting the incident to federal agencies including the SSA OIG, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the Federal Trade Commission.
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Victims experiencing financial loss should also contact local law enforcement.
The SSA OIG also reminded the public that the agency will never demand immediate payment, threaten arrest or benefit suspension, or request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other unusual methods.
Officials urge people to remain vigilant and share information about these scams with others, particularly older adults who are often targeted.
More information about Social Security-related scams and how to report them is available at ssa.gov/scam.
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