Retirement Social Security

Social Security Scams Are Getting More Personal - Here's What to Look For

With the right knowledge, you can avoid being a victim.

By Maurie Backman , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated April 16, 2026

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For many older Americans today, Social Security benefits combined with savings are the ticket to a stress-free retirement. And without those benefits, a lot of seniors would struggle.

Unfortunately, criminals are getting increasingly adept at stealing Social Security numbers and other financial data. And because criminals are able to access personal information to make their scams more believable, more people are falling victim.

Here's why the problem is getting worse and how you can avoid becoming a victim.

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Social Security scams are rampant

Identity and financial scams aren't exactly new. Nor are Social Security scams. But the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that government scams — ones where a criminal impersonates a government agency — are among the most common.

In 2025, the FTC received over 330,000 complaints about government impersonation scams, such as people calling or making contact pretending to be from agencies like the SSA or IRS. That marks a 25% increase from the year prior. The SSA also confirms that it's a common target of these scams.

As it is, American consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, representing a 25% increase from 2023. If scammers continue to get better at what they do, that number could easily climb.

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Why scammers are getting away with it

A big part of the reason scammers are getting better at fooling people boils down to them having a piece of the puzzle already. Data breaches aren't an uncommon thing these days. But in the course of those breaches, small bits of personal information can leak out — names, partial Social Security numbers, addresses, financial institutions where accounts are held, and more.

When you get a call or email containing valid information about you, it becomes more believable. But in many cases, the person on the other end of the line or behind the email is not an SSA or government agent. Rather, it's a scammer trying to steal something from you, whether it's your identity, money, or access to your monthly Social Security checks.

The latest scam is particularly diabolical

The SSA's Office of the Inspector General also says that phishing emails asking recipients to download Social Security statements through links leading to fraudulent sites have become more common. The emails might look legit and even reference part of your Social Security number. And because you're not being asked to send money, they may seem even more believable.

The best way to recognize these emails as fraudulent? You'll note that they don't have a .gov in the sender's email address. If you get one of these emails, your best bet is to delete it immediately. Clicking any fraudulent link could compromise your devices.

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How to spot a Social Security scam

If you don't want to fall victim to a Social Security scam, it's important to know what to look out for, since it may not be so obvious. The SSA itself identifies these common red flags:

Pretend: Scammers claim to be SSA agents needing to verify information.
Prize or problem: Scammers say they can instantly approve your benefits claim or boost your monthly checks if you confirm financial or personal details. Or, they might claim there's an issue with your Social Security number or benefits.
Pressure: Scammers push you to act quickly or use threatening language.
Payment: Some type of payment is demanded, and it's often unconventional in nature (meaning, gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers).

You should know that the SSA, as a matter of course, will never:

Tell you your Social Security number is suspended
Threaten to arrest you if you don't make a payment
Ask for financial or banking information by phone
Ask you to send gift cards, crypto, or cash to "unlock" your benefits
Promise a reward like boosted benefits or an approved claim in exchange for money

If there's a problem with your Social Security account, the SSA will typically mail you a letter. But in general, if you receive any type of communication regarding your Social Security account or number, it's best to reach out to the SSA to confirm whether it's legitimate or not. If you're the one to call into the agency, you shouldn't have to worry about a criminal ending up on the other end of the line.

Bottom line

Falling victim to identity or Social Security fraud could mess with your retirement plans. So it's important to be vigilant about Social Security scams and know what red flags to look out for.

Another good way to protect yourself? Create a my Social Security account. That way, you can keep tabs on your earnings record, benefits, and more. And if you're targeted in a Social Security scam, whether you fall for it or not, report it to the agency's Office of the Inspector General. That way, you can potentially spare a less savvy person from becoming a victim.

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