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# Social Security Is Warning Retirees About 3 New Phone Scams This Month
- URL: https://savvysilvertech.com/social-security-phone-scams-april-2026/
- Published: 2026-04-13T14:58:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-13T21:42:53.000Z
- Description: The Social Security Administration has issued an urgent alert about a sharp rise in impersonation scams targeting retirees in April 2026. Here's exactly what to watch for.
- Author: Chris Irwin
- Tags: Security Alert, Online Safety, security-warning, scam-alert, social-security, phone-scam, government-impersonation

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is sounding the alarm. In April 2026, officials reported a significant spike in phone scams targeting people who receive Social Security benefits — and the calls are getting harder to recognize as fake.

## What These Calls Sound Like

Scammers are calling retirees and using several scary tactics to get their personal information or money:

- **"Your benefits are about to be cut off."** The caller claims there's been suspicious activity on your account or a problem with your Social Security number, and your payments will stop unless you act immediately.
- **"You need to pay to activate your COLA raise."** Fraudsters tell you that your cost-of-living adjustment won't go through unless you pay a fee first. This is completely false — the SSA never charges fees like this.
- **"Your Social Security number has been linked to criminal activity."** The caller pretends to be a government agent and threatens arrest or legal trouble to pressure you into giving out personal details.

## The Real SSA Will Never Do These Things

Here's what the *real* Social Security Administration will never do:

- Threaten you with arrest or legal action over the phone
- Demand immediate payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Ask you to keep the call secret from family members
- Contact you through social media or text demanding personal information

## What You Should Do

If you receive one of these calls, **hang up immediately**. Do not press any buttons or stay on the line. Then, if you're concerned, call the SSA directly at their official number: **1-800-772-1213**.

You can also report suspicious calls to the SSA's Office of Inspector General at **1-800-269-0271** or online at **oig.ssa.gov**.

Remember: your Social Security number is one of the most valuable things a scammer can steal. Never share it with anyone who calls you unexpectedly — no matter how official they sound.