Social Security will not email you about your benefits
The Social Security Administration does not send emails about your account, benefits, or any action you need to take. If you receive an email claiming to be from Social Security, it is a scam. This is true even if the email looks official, includes your name, or directs you to a website that resembles ssa.gov.
Scammers use email because it costs them nothing and reaches many people at once. They count on the fact that Social Security does communicate with people — just not by email. Real Social Security contact comes through the mail, by phone call initiated by you, or through your account on ssa.gov if you created one yourself.
The only exception is if you signed up for email notifications through your own Social Security account at ssa.gov. Even then, those emails will only confirm that you logged in or changed your password. They will never ask you to click a link, enter information, or take action outside your account.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security communicates by mail and phone, never by unsolicited email, regardless of how official the message looks.
- Scam emails often ask you to click a link, verify your information, or download an attachment — Social Security never does this.
- If you receive a suspicious email, do not click any links or download anything; instead, forward it to phishing@socialsecurity.gov and delete it.
- You can create a personal account at ssa.gov to check your benefits and earnings record without waiting for mail or calling.
- If you are unsure whether a message is real, call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 using a phone number you find yourself, not one in the email.
What real Social Security communication looks like
Social Security sends official notices by mail to your address on file. These notices cover things like benefit approval, payment changes, or requests for information. The envelope will have the Social Security Administration seal and a return address in Baltimore, Maryland or another Social Security office. You can verify the return address by calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking whether the letter is legitimate.
If Social Security needs information from you, the letter will explain what they need and give you a deadline — usually at least 10 days. The letter will include a phone number and mailing address you can use to respond. It will never ask you to click a link or go to a website.
Phone calls from Social Security are rare and usually happen only if you called them first or if you are already receiving benefits and something urgent has changed. Even then, Social Security will not ask for your full Social Security number, password, or bank account details over the phone.
How to spot a scam email
Scam emails claiming to be from Social Security usually contain at least one of these red flags: a request to click a link and log in, a demand to verify or update your information, an attachment to download, a threat that your account will be closed or frozen, or an offer of money or a refund.
The email may address you by name and include details that seem real, like part of your Social Security number or a reference to a recent change in your benefits. Scammers buy this information from data breaches or piece it together from public records. A personalized email is not a sign that it is real.
Check the sender's email address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to official ones — for example, "ssa-security@mail.com" or "socialsecurity.verification@gmail.com" — but they are not from ssa.gov. If you hover over the sender's name without clicking, you can usually see the actual email address.
What to do if you receive a suspicious email
Do not click any links, download any attachments, or reply to the email. Do not call any phone number listed in the email. Close the message and move on.
If you want to report the email, forward it to phishing@socialsecurity.gov. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Both agencies track these scams and use the reports to go after the people behind them, though they cannot respond to individual reports.
If you already clicked a link or entered information, change your Social Security password immediately if you have a ssa.gov account. If you entered your Social Security number, bank details, or other sensitive information, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report it. You may also want to place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by calling any one of them.
Creating your own Social Security account to avoid confusion
You can create a free account at ssa.gov to check your benefit status, earnings record, and payment history without waiting for mail or calling. Once you set up your account, you control when and how you access your information.
To create an account, go directly to ssa.gov (type it yourself rather than clicking a link in an email or text). Click "Create an account" and follow the steps. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or address on file.
Once your account is set up, you can log in anytime to see your information. If Social Security needs to contact you about your account, they may send you an email notification that you have a new message waiting in your account — but the message itself will be inside your account, not in the email itself.
Scams that use Social Security in other ways
Scammers also impersonate Social Security through text messages and phone calls. Text message scams follow the same pattern as email scams: they ask you to click a link or call a number. Phone scams often use caller ID spoofing to make it look like the call is coming from Social Security, then threaten to suspend your benefits or arrest you unless you pay money or provide information.
If you receive a call claiming to be from Social Security and you did not call them first, hang up. Do not give any information. If you want to verify whether Social Security actually tried to reach you, call them yourself at 1-800-772-1213 using a phone number you find yourself.
Social Security will never threaten you with arrest, demand immediate payment, or ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If a caller uses any of these tactics, it is a scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trust an email if it has the Social Security seal or logo?
No. Scammers copy logos and seals from the real Social Security website and paste them into emails. A logo proves nothing. The only way to know an email is real is to know that Social Security does not send unsolicited emails about your account or benefits. If you are in doubt, call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213.
What if the email says my benefits will stop if I don't respond?
It is a scam. Social Security will not threaten to stop your benefits via email or demand immediate action. If your benefits are actually at risk, Social Security will send you a letter in the mail with a deadline and an explanation of what you need to do. You will have time to respond.
Is it safe to click the link if I'm just going to log out without entering anything?
No. Clicking the link takes you to a fake website designed to steal your information. Even if you do not enter anything, your device may download malware or the scammers may see that your email address is active and send you more scams. Do not click.
How do I know if my Social Security account has been hacked?
Log into your ssa.gov account and check your personal information. If anything has changed — your address, phone number, or email — that you did not change yourself, contact Social Security immediately at 1-800-772-1213. You can also check your earnings record to make sure it is accurate.
What should I do if I gave a scammer my Social Security number?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report it. You should also place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus by calling Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. A fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open accounts in your name. You can also check your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com to look for accounts you did not open.