The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently issued an alert about a new email scam that targets Social Security recipients.
At the time of the year during which the SSA normally notifies benefit recipients of cost of living adjustments (COLA) to their monthly benefit amounts, an email with the subject "Cost-of-Living for 2007 Update" is circulating, and appears to originate with the agency. Part of the message is legitimate -- there will be a 3.3% benefit increase for 2007. But that's where the good news in the message ends.
The rest of the message is a textbook case of phishing. It reads, "NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely."
If you are the target of the scam, you're asked to click a link in the message to a website mimicking the legitimate SSA website, and to provide personal information such as your Social Security number, and bank account and credit card information. Any information you enter on the bogus website can be used by the criminals who sent the message to capture your personal information and use it to steal your identity or otherwise defraud you.
The SSA stated that it never initiates communication with its clients via email, and that all official communication about benefits is done by conventional post office mail.
If you have received a suspicious email message that claims to be from the Social Security Administration, contact the OIG Hotline at Social Security's Office of Inspector General, 1-800-269-0271.
BankingQuestions.com strongly urges you to never enter personal information on a website that you reached by clicking a link in an email message.
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