You may have recently received an email from the Social Security Administration (SSA) advising you to log in to your online Social Security account and update your details. The email even includes a helpful link. Given the prevalence of Social Security scams and phishing emails in recent years, you might have assumed this was just another scam. However, this email is genuine.
After verification, the SSA released a press statement to clarify the situation for everyone. The message is clear: If you created an online Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you must log in and make changes.
“Customers who created an online account (e.g., my Social Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services,” the SSA said in a statement. “The agency is making the changes to simplify the sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services.”
In simpler terms, the SSA is phasing out old usernames and passwords. To maintain access to your account, you need to log in using your current credentials and follow the prompts to set up a new sign-in using Login.gov.
The challenge is that Social Security scams are almost as infamous as those involving a Nigerian prince. Scammers often send out mass emails claiming there’s an issue with your Social Security account, urging immediate login through a provided link.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers advice on avoiding phishing emails, noting three common signs of a scam: a generic greeting, a warning that your account is blocked until you update payment details, and a link. “While real companies might communicate with you by email, legitimate companies won’t email or text with a link to update your payment information,” the FTC states.
The recent legitimate SSA email unfortunately contained some of these warning signs, leading many recipients to ignore or delete it before the SSA’s press release provided clarification.
Online scams are more than just an annoyance—they can devastate victims. Americans lost $10 billion to fraud last year. The FTC advises that if you receive an email from a company or organization you do business with, you should contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real, not the information in the email. Also, avoid clicking on links as “attachments and links might install harmful malware” on your computer.
Having an online Social Security account is increasingly useful and important. Those already receiving benefits can use their online account to manage direct-deposit instructions and change their registered address. For those not yet receiving benefits, the account can provide estimates of future benefits for both the account holder and their spouse.
As of the latest count, the SSA reports that 67 million Americans are receiving Social Security benefits, averaging $1,778 per month per person. Retired workers receive an average of $1,917, while the averages are lower for spouses, children, and survivors. Social Security benefits account for about 30% of the total income of Americans over 65, and about two-fifths of seniors rely on the program for more than half their income.
So, if you received the email, it’s essential to act and update your account to ensure continued access to your Social Security services.