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SSA Warns Retirees of Rising Impersonation Scams

4/8/2026

26 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Social Security Administration warns of a significant rise in impersonation scams targeting retirees, using fraudulent emails that mimic official communications.
Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General, says these messages are not from the SSA and should be deleted immediately.
The SSA urges beneficiaries to use the official site, ssa.gov, and to report scams to the SSA Office of Inspector General (SSA OIG) and local authorities.

History

Historical Context

The Social Security Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, established a federal safety net for retirees amid the Great Depression, addressing high poverty rates among the elderly. By 2022, around 66 million Americans relied on Social Security benefits, but rising impersonation scams threaten public trust in this essential program, highlighting the need for increased vigilance.

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Story summary

The Social Security Administration warns of a significant rise in impersonation scams targeting retirees, using fraudulent emails that mimic official communications.
Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General, says these messages are not from the SSA and should be deleted immediately.
The SSA urges beneficiaries to use the official site, ssa.gov, and to report scams to the SSA Office of Inspector General (SSA OIG) and local authorities.

1 / 2