If you have it to give, you certainly can, but there may be consequences should you apply for Medicaid long-term care coverage within five years after each gift.
Key Takeaways
- A new Social Security phishing scam targets benefit recipients with emails pretending to be from the SSA, urging downloads of fake statements.
- These attachments contain malware that lets hackers access personal information like banking credentials.
- Always verify sender email addresses and be cautious of any emails asking you to download Social Security statements.
Contents
What Are Phishing Scams?
Phishing is a type of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate trusted organisations to trick people into revealing sensitive information.
Scammers often use technology to mask their identity, sending deceptive emails, texts, or phone calls to gain access to private data.
Phishing is widespread—over 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily, according to AAG IT Support. Google blocks about 100 million phishing emails every day, but some still make it through.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that older adults are often targeted due to perceived financial stability. In 2023 alone, Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud.
What to Look Out For
Phishing emails pretending to be from the SSA may include phrases like:
- “Your statement is now available.”
- “Thank you for opting to receive electronic statements.”
- Instructions to download an attached file.
These emails often use official SSA formatting, fonts, and branding to appear legitimate. However, they usually come from suspicious or non-governmental email addresses.
View sample scam emails in this alert by the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
How the Scam Works
Clicking the attachment in the phishing email installs malicious software—specifically, ScreenConnect.
This remote access tool, normally used by IT professionals, is misused by hackers to take control of your computer, monitor your activity, and steal sensitive information like bank credentials or Social Security details.
Why the Email Could Bypass Security Measures
These scam emails may not be flagged by your email provider because they:
- Use legitimate WordPress or compromised websites to send emails.
- Embed phishing content within images to avoid keyword detection.
- Leverage commonly used applications like ScreenConnect.
Read more tips on improving email security here.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email
- Delete it immediately and block the sender to protect your personal information and Social Security benefits.
- Never click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
If you’re unsure whether an email is a scam, take these steps:
- Search online for recent SSA scam reports.
- Ask a trusted family member or friend for their opinion.
- Check the SSA’s official scam alerts.
- Remember: real SSA emails come from addresses ending in .gov.
Additionally, you can:
- Report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
If you need guidance:
- Speak with an elder law attorney for help identifying phishing scams and reviewing SSA-related emails.
- Contact our office today for expert advice on safeguarding your identity and financial well-being.
Need Help Protecting Yourself from Social Security Phishing Scams?
If you suspect you’ve received a phishing email or believe you’ve been targeted, don’t wait. Take steps to protect your finances and identity now.
Contact our elder law experts today for a free consultation and personalised advice.
