San Antonio retirees are being urged to hover over the delete button this week after a federal watchdog flagged a surge in scam emails dressed up as official Social Security notices. The bogus messages tell people to download a "statement" or click a link, moves that can open the door to identity theft, malware, or straight-up financial loss.
In a press release from the SSA Office of the Inspector General, officials say they are seeing "a sharp increase in fraudulent emails" that look like the real thing. "Anyone who receives one should delete it immediately and report it," Michelle L. Anderson, the OIG's assistant inspector general for audit as first assistant, said in the release.
The alert lands just as many beneficiaries are watching for this month's payments. Retirees with birthdays on the 1st through the 10th are scheduled to get checks on Wednesday, April 8, according to the Social Security Administration's 2026 payment calendar. The warning was reported locally by MySA.
How the scam works
Scammers typically send emails claiming a Social Security statement is ready to download, then pack the message with links or attachments that can install malware or send victims to fake websites that harvest logins and banking details. The emails often copy official logos, colors, and stiff government language, and they lean on scare tactics or urgency so people click first and think later.
What to do if you get one
If an unsolicited Social Security email lands in your inbox, do not click links, do not open attachments, and do not share personal information in response. Report suspicious messages through the SSA OIG's "Report Fraud" portal and file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. If you have already clicked and suffered a loss, contact your bank and local law enforcement immediately.
How to protect your money
Official Social Security messages come from email addresses that end in ".gov," and the SSA and OIG will never demand immediate payment, send unsolicited attachments, threaten arrest, or ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If you are unsure about any message, skip the link in the email and sign in directly at ssa.gov/myaccount, change your passwords, and enable two-factor authentication on your financial and email accounts.
Scams are a growing national problem, with major reporting showing billions in reported losses in recent years, which is why officials stress quick reporting and regular check-ins with older relatives about suspicious calls and emails. For more resources and to file complaints, see the SSA OIG alert and the FBI’s IC3 portal.
