Social Security (SS) imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email or call, do not respond.
SSA WILL NEVER:
- Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification
- Suspend your SS number
- Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee
- Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency or cash by mail
- Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment
- Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information
WE ONLY SEND TEXT MESSAGES IN LIMITED SITUATIONS, INCLUDING:
- When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text
- As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account
If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. SS employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a SS benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person’s SS number or record, SS will mail a letter.
Report suspected SS imposter scams and other SS fraud by going to the Office of the Inspector General’s website: oig.ssa.gov/report. Find more information about scams at ssa.gov/scam. Please share this information with your friends, family and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.
For more SSA information, call 7am–5pm, Mon–Fri:
1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | socialsecurity.gov
Your COLA Notice
Individuals who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. Users can also receive text or email alerts when there is a new message waiting for them, including a COLA notice. Set up a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
SSA ONLINE SERVICE HOURS
Eastern Standard Time
Mon– Fri 4:15am–1am
Sat 5am–11pm
Sun 8am–11:30pm
SSA COLA: ssa.gov/cola
ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2025.pdf
SSA Full Retirement Age Chart:
ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html
Medicare & You 2025:
publications/10050-medicare-and-you.pdf
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