Social Security Scams Targeting Retirees in 2026
Social Security is an important part of retirement financial plans. If that’s you, make sure you don’t ignore a potential danger: scams.
Fraudsters often go to great lengths to obtain sensitive information. If you are not careful, the result can mean losing a large amount of money. This guide will explain some of the most common Social Security scams and one rule you can follow to stay safe.
Social Security Scams in 2026
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says scammers sometimes impersonate the SSA by phone, text, letter or social media message. For phone calls, it can even spoof the caller ID, making the phone number fake for the recipient to see when checking who is calling. Scammers also use legitimate-looking logos on fake websites that may appear legitimate at first glance.
These criminals will pressure you to do something. For example, they may say that your Social Security number has been “suspended” because of a criminal act, and you must pay immediately to restore benefits. They often use fear and urgency.
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One rule of thumb
One rule you can follow to protect yourself is to understand how Social Security legitimately contacts people so you can spot a scam when they contact you.
“Social Security workers contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Typically, the agency calls people who have recently applied for Social Security benefits, are already receiving payments and need to update their record, or request a phone call from the agency,” Social Security said on its website. “If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, Social Security will usually send a letter.”
Social Security offers some resources to determine whether a call or letter is legitimate through its website. The SSA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) also has a scam alert page that describes ongoing scams.
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Some of these attacks have become more sophisticated. However, you can check web links and email addresses to make sure they are from the SSA. You can identify fake websites by looking at the URL. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and do not call the phone numbers provided by the scammer again; direct to SSA.
Remember that the real SSA will never threaten you with legal action if you don’t pay promptly, say they need money to apply for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or pressure you to share sensitive information. It will also not send you a message via social media or require you to keep the conversation private.
Having a strong password and multi-factor authentication will go a long way. You should also monitor your benefits and check your bank statements every month to make sure you’re still getting Social Security.
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How to report a scam
You can report fraud to the Social Security OIG through its website or by calling its fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If your concern is theft — such as if someone used your information to open a new account — you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through its identity theft reporting tool.
Notifying these organizations of scams makes it easier for them to educate others about common scams so they don’t become victims.
