Scammers Promise Social Security Statements to Lure Unsuspecting Consumers
Scammers often pretend to represent government agencies as a trick to gain their victims’ trust. In a troubling trend, imposters are now sending emails that appear to come from the Social Security Administration, offering people copies of their Social Security statements if they click on an attached link. But if you do, scammers may capture personal financial information that is stored on your computer.
“DO NOT CLICK THE LINK,” warns the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in a special alert. “These emails are not from SSA and will compromise your personal data and will likely damage your computer system once you allow access.”
Individuals who click on the link give fraudsters the ability to install a remote control tool on their personal computer, “a dangerous tool in the hands of cybercriminals,” says Malwarebytes, an anti-malware software company that flagged the scam last month. The tool is often used legitimately by IT support teams, but scammers can use it to steal banking data and other sensitive information. Malwarebytes warns that the scam is sophisticated, and the emails are getting through scam filters.
The SSA warns that the images in the email look authentic. But the agency is not sending such emails to the public, and recipients should delete them. Authentic US government emails end in “.gov.”
If you need your Social Security statement or benefit information, you can create a personal “my Social Security account” by clicking here. Victims of email fraud can report incidents to SSA’s Office of the Inspector General at https://secure.ssa.gov/oig/scam, local law enforcement, and their financial institutions.
Voting for Your Friend’s Kid on WhatsApp May Cost You
Scammers are clever at exploiting human behavior. They know that if a friend asks you to vote for her child in an online contest, you’ll probably click. Or if your “kid” texts you saying they lost their phone and need money, you’ll be quick to help.
Both scenarios are real scams now targeting WhatsApp users, according to a report from The 420, a site covering digital crime.
In the “vote for my kid” scam, a friend asks you to click a link that generates a six-digit code. What you don’t know: the scammer is simultaneously requesting that same verification code from WhatsApp. When you enter it, you unknowingly give the scammer full access to your account. They then message all your contacts pretending to be you—usually asking for small amounts of money that don’t raise suspicion.
The 420 recommends never sharing your WhatsApp verification code—ever. Use another communication channel to confirm any unusual request. Set up two-factor authentication to protect your account.
In a related variation, scammers pretend to be your child, contacting you from an unknown number claiming they lost their phone and need urgent funds. The Guardian reports that many victims send money before realizing it’s a scam.
You can protect yourself by calling your relative’s real number, asking a question only they would know, or establishing a family passcode for emergencies.
FBI Warns of Discount Health Insurance Scams
Fraudsters are pitching discounted medical insurance policies that fail to deliver on their promises, the FBI warned in a nationwide alert. Scammers pressure people to enroll quickly, offering “special pricing” and “great coverage.” But victims receive no actual insurance—and no refunds.
The FBI highlighted a Washington-based case where more than 100 consumers paid for insurance but received nothing. Losses totaled more than $777,000. Many were contacted through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
The FBI advises consumers to verify coverage with their state insurance commissioner or the Better Business Bureau. Ask medical providers whether they accept the insurance. Never pay upfront until a company’s legitimacy is confirmed.
The Maryland Health Insurance Administration recommends:
- Verify that unsolicited offers are legitimate. Look up the company independently and confirm they are licensed in your state.
- Do not pay anything upfront until you’ve verified legitimacy.
- Check complaint history and confirm the person you’re speaking with is licensed.
- Remember: claims of saving “50% to 80%” on healthcare costs are almost always scams.
