One thing is for sure: new scams emerge every day. We’ve covered many different types of Social Security scams over the years, but Jeanne from Hackensack, New Jersey, forwarded us a new one to share with you.
“I received this email (see below) yesterday. I did not open the attachment. I hovered my mouse over the sender’s name and immediately knew it was a lie.”
Jeanne’s cautious approach shows the importance of being cautious and skeptical when dealing with unsolicited email, especially emails claiming to be sent from official sources.
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Fake Social Security Scam Email (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
What kind of scam is this?
a Phishing scams A scam is when a person or group poses as an established organization, such as a government agency, financial institution, or legitimate business. Scammers use what appears to be a legitimate email address and usually attach what appears to be an official invoice or letter.
They typically approach with a sense of urgency — in this example, her Social Security number has been leaked — and the desired outcome is for the attachment to be opened and available to download. Virus or Malware They will email or, in this case, call you to get your personal information. Luckily, Jeanne was smart enough not to open the attachment and instead reported it to government authorities for possible identity theft.
Illustration of a scammer on a laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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What should you do if you receive such a scam email?
Now that you know what types of emails to look out for, what can you do if you receive one? Here are some ways to protect yourself:
1) Flag the email
Marking emails as junk or spam will encourage your email service provider to flag such emails, which also makes it harder for attachments to be accidentally opened.
2) Don’t open any attachments or links
Jeanne wisely did not open the attached letter. She hovered over the attachment and realized it looked suspicious. Remember, opening attachments or links from scammers can download viruses or malware onto your device. It can also take you to another website that may collect more of your personal information or distribute viruses or malware.
3) Do not reply to emails, call or otherwise contact the scammer.
This would only prove that they have an actual victim to harass further. Additionally, if you call at the number they provide, they can link your email address to the phone number you used to call.
4) Go directly to the source
If you have any problems with your Social Security number or account, Social Security Administration websiteYou can also visit them in person to check the status of your account.
Security warning notice on computer screen (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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8 ways to prevent phishing attacks
You can avoid a lot of anxiety and trouble by avoiding becoming a target of scams. Here are eight ways to avoid becoming a victim in the first place.
1) Verify or register your Social Security account
Whether you already have an account or not, it’s important to check your Social Security account regularly. If you haven’t already, check with the official Social Security Administration Website Create one. Only one account can be registered per Social Security number, so protecting your account helps prevent someone from fraudulently obtaining it. If you already have an account, make sure it’s linked to a secure email that you check frequently, and review your account statements for discrepancies. This proactive approach protects your personal information and notifies you of any fraudulent activity.
2) Use two-factor authentication
Always enabled Two-factor authentication (2FA) Use 2FA to authenticate your online accounts. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring two or more methods of authentication. It can be more than just a password — it can be a code sent to your mobile phone, a fingerprint, or a facial scan. This makes it much harder for fraudsters to gain unauthorized access.
3) Keep your software and systems up to date
Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. Update your operating system, antivirus software, and other applications It protects you from these threats, and you can also set your device to update automatically so you don’t have to do it manually.
4) Protect personal information
Be careful when sharing personal information online. Think twice before entering sensitive information on a website, especially if you are not sure if it is legitimate. Use social media privacy settings to control who can see your information, and be wary of unsolicited requests for personal data.
5) Use strong antivirus software
Having a strong antivirus software installed on your devices will protect you from receiving these fraudulent emails and accidentally opening attachments or clicking on links. The best way to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links that install malware that can access your personal information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices, which will also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams. We’ve handpicked the winners of the best antivirus protection of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
6) Invest in a personal data deletion service
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they obtain personal information: they scour the web for publicly available data and piece together details from different sources to create targeted scams. Phishing AttacksThese personalized scams can be incredibly convincing, which is why it’s important to limit the amount of personal information accessible online.
No service promises to delete all your data from the Internet, but if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of continually deleting information from hundreds of sites over a long period of time, a deletion service can be a useful tool. Use my best choices here to remove your personal data from the internet.
7) Use identity theft protection services
Identity theft companies monitor personal information like social security numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses to alert you if it’s being sold on the dark web or used to open accounts, and they can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further fraud by criminals.
The biggest benefit of using some of the services is that they may include identity theft insurance. Up to $1 million to cover losses and legal costs And at the White Glove Fraud Resolution Team, U.S.-based case managers to help you recover your losses. Check out our tips and best choices for protecting yourself against identity theft.
8) Verify by contacting the actual organization directly
Like Jeanne did, contact government agencies, financial institutions, or companies directly using the contact information on their official websites. Never use contact information provided in unsolicited communications, as these can be forged by scammers to trick you into becoming a victim.
By incorporating these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a phishing scam. Always be vigilant and proactive about protecting your personal information.
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Important points about the cart
You can never be prepared enough to protect yourself from scammers. Let’s face it, scammers are getting smarter every day. They’re like those pesky weeds in your garden: Just when you think you’ve got rid of them all, new ones pop up. But don’t let that get you down. With these tips, you’ll be better equipped to spot a scam in no time. Be skeptical of suspicious emails, and when in doubt, contact the real organization directly. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, think of Jeanne from Hackensack. She didn’t fall for it, and neither will you. You’ll be fine.
Have you ever received a fraudulent email claiming to be from a government agency? How did you respond? Please contact us at the address below. Cyberguy.com/Contact Us.
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