The U.S. government is warning Social Security recipients, current and future, that the federal entitlement program is experiencing a growing number of scams and deepfakes that may not be easy to detect without solid due diligence.
Government imposter scams, in which criminals falsely claim to represent the Social Security Administration or other federal agencies to steal money or personal information, are at the top of the list of burgeoning fraud schemes across the United States. In 2025, the FTC received more than 330,000 complaints involving government impersonation, a 25 percent rise over 2024.
The Most Dangerous Social Security Scams Right Now
The SSA and nationwide financial fraud experts are teaming up to thwart scammers targeting the program, and to protect SSA recipients. They’re advising Americans to particularly watch out for these Social Security scams.Email Fraud Is Rising
The SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is warning Americans about a significant increase in government imposter scam emails that falsely claim to provide access to a recipient’s Social Security statement. In particular, the OIG is advising people that clicking links within these emails could lead to identity theft and financial fraud.Social Security consumers should note that legitimate program communications originate from email addresses ending in “.gov” and that bogus emails are formatted to mislead recipients into clicking links or downloading attachments.
Scammers' Phone Call Impersonation
Social Security scammers will also call a person's phone and claim that fraudulent activity occurred and that the SSN has been suspended, demanding payment for reactivation.Fraudsters Are Using Fake Sponsored Ads via Google
Online-based Social Security scams are also burgeoning in 2026. “For example, when a user wants to check their account online, they’ll click on a fake Google ad and be redirected to a copy of the Social Security domain, stealing the person's details,” Beer warned.Recipients are most vulnerable to these fraud attempts during life-changing events, such as retirement or moving, when they expect to interact with SSA.
Take These Specific Steps to Detect Social Security Fraud
To fight back against Social Security scams, use these tips to stay aware of common fraud tactics.Real SSA Emails Always End in .gov.
Note the Social Security email address if you see one in your email box. “If it’s from a Gmail, Outlook, or Hotmail account, it’s a scam,” Beer said.The SSA will never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
“Also, scammers may send fake badges or official documents via text or WhatsApp,” Beer noted. “A real agent will never text you a photo of their credentials.”
The best defense is to claim your territory before a scammer does it for you.
It’s easy to insulate most Social Security scams by signing up for your own personal account on SocialSecurity.gov. “There, you can create a 'my social security' account,” Beer advised. “If you don’t have one, a scammer can create one in your name to redirect your benefits.”
If you suspect your SSN is compromised, freeze your credit quickly. ‘This prevents scammers from using your number to open new lines of credit,’ Beer added.
Also, note that the SSA and the OIG have been very active lately in walling off fraud artists. “They’ve moved toward more digital-first verification, like Login.gov, to replace older, less secure login methods,” Beer said. “However, intercepting intent using paid ads and call impersonation are new scams that catch users with lower defenses.”