Be cautious of this Social Security scam being perpetrated by fraudsters attempting to deceive you.

A new scam emerges daily, and Jeanne from Hackensack, New Jersey, has shared a new type of Social Security scam with us.

"Yesterday, I received an email (displayed below), but I did not open the attachment. Upon hovering my mouse over the sender's name, I immediately recognized it as a lie."

Jeanne's diligent attitude towards unsolicited emails highlights the significance of being cautious and skeptical when dealing with emails that claim to be from official sources.

What type of scam is this?

An email scam is when someone poses as a reputable organization, such as a government agency, bank, or corporation, and sends a fake invoice or letter using a legitimate-looking email address.

In this case, Jeanne was cautious and did not open the attachment, which could have resulted in a virus or malware infection on her device or the exposure of her personal information over the phone. Fortunately, she recognized the potential danger and reported it to the appropriate governmental agency.

What to do if you receive one of these scam emails?

What should you do when you receive emails that you should be cautious of? Several methods can help you safeguard yourself.

1) Flag the email

Mark the email as spam to prevent accidental opening of attachments and train your email service provider to flag similar emails.

2) Don’t open any attachments or links

Jeanne wisely refrained from opening the attached letter. She moved her cursor over the attachment and noticed it was suspicious. Be cautious when opening attachments or links from unknown sources, as they may contain viruses or malware that can harm your device or steal your personal information.

Do not reply to the email or contact these scammers via phone or any other means.

If you call the number they provided, they can connect your email address to the phone number you use to call them.

4) Go directly to the source

You can validate your account standing by visiting the official Social Security Administration website or in person.

8 ways to prevent phishing scammers from reaching you

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam and reduce anxiety and trouble, consider these 8 preventative measures.

1) Verify or sign up for a Social Security account

It is essential to regularly verify your Social Security account, whether you already have one or not. If you don't have an account, you can create one on the official Social Security Administration website. Since only one account can be registered per Social Security number, securing yours prevents others from fraudulently claiming it. If you already have an account, make sure it's linked to a secure email that you check often and review your account statements regularly to detect any discrepancies. This proactive approach helps safeguard your personal information and alerts you to any unauthorized activity.

2) Use two-factor authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts to add an extra layer of security. 2FA requires two or more verification methods, such as a code sent to your phone, a fingerprint or a facial scan, making it much harder for scammers to gain unauthorized access.

3) Keep software and systems updated

Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit. To safeguard against these threats, regularly updating your operating system, antivirus software, and other applications is crucial. Additionally, you can configure your devices to automatically update to prevent manual updates.

4) Secure your personal information

Be careful when sharing personal information online and be cautious about unsolicited requests for your data. Use privacy settings on social media and think twice before entering sensitive details on websites, especially if you’re unsure they’re legitimate.

5) Have strong antivirus software

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that infect your devices with malware and steal your private information is to install antivirus software on all your gadgets. This software can detect and prevent phishing emails and ransomware attacks. Check out my top picks for the best antivirus protection solutions for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices in 2024.

6) Invest in personal data removal services

Personal information is becoming increasingly easy for scammers to obtain through sophisticated methods. They gather details from various sources to create targeted phishing attacks that can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate messages. To protect yourself, it's important to limit the amount of personal information you share online.

My top picks can help you remove your personal data from the internet continuously over a longer period of time.

7) Use an identity theft protection service

Companies that specialize in identity theft can track your personal data, such as your Social Security number, phone number, and email address, and notify you if it is being sold on the black market or used to open accounts. Additionally, these companies can help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent any further unauthorized use by criminals.

Some services offer identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees, as well as a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. Check out my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

8) Directly reach out to the real organizations for verification

To avoid falling victim to scams, always verify contact information from official websites before contacting government agencies, financial institutions, or companies directly.

To minimize the risk of falling victim to phishing scams, remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding your personal information.

Kurt’s key takeaways

To safeguard yourself from scammers, always be vigilant. These fraudsters are becoming increasingly cunning, much like those persistent weeds in your garden. But don't let them get the best of you. With the knowledge we've shared, you're now equipped to identify scams from a distance. Be cautious of suspicious emails and always verify information with legitimate sources. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, remember Jeanne from Hackensack, who successfully resisted the scam. You've got this.

Have you received a scam email from someone claiming to be from a governmental agency? If so, how did you respond? Please share your experience with us by writing to Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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