Is That Call Really from Social Security?

What this helps with: Knowing what real Social Security will and won’t do, so you can hang up on fake calls, texts, and emails with confidence.

Social Security announced next year’s benefit increase on October 14, 2026. This yearly raise is called the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment). Social Security warns that scammers may say you must pay, or share personal details, to “activate” a COLA. You don’t. The increase is automatic.

What real Social Security won’t do

• It won’t charge you to get your yearly increase. No one needs your bank details to “turn on” your COLA.
• It won’t offer to raise your benefits for a fee. Benefit amounts are set by law. They aren’t changed over the phone.
• It won’t threaten you with arrest, a lawsuit, or “suspending” your Social Security number.
• It won’t ask you to pay with gift cards, gold, crypto, wire transfers, or cash. It won’t text you a barcode or QR code to pay at a store.
• It won’t ask for private details by text, email, or social media.
• Another company can’t transfer your call to Social Security. If a caller says they can, it’s a scam.
• Caller ID can be faked. A call can look like it’s from Social Security or the police and still be a scam.

If someone contacts you about Social Security

1. Pause. Take a deep breath. It’s okay to talk to someone you trust first.
2. Hang up, or ignore the message. Don’t tap links or open attachments.
   • What you’ll tap: The red End button on a call. For a text or email, just close it.
3. Don’t share your Social Security number, bank details, or any codes.
4. Call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). Use this number, not one the caller gives you.
5. Report it at oig.ssa.gov/report. Your report helps protect others.

See your real COLA letter safely

• Your real COLA letter shows your new amount for next year.
• With a my Social Security account, you can read it online starting in late November. Otherwise, it comes by mail in December.
• Type the address yourself: ssa.gov/myaccount. Don’t use a link from a text or email.
• No account yet? Our guide to setting up your Social Security account walks you through it.

If something goes wrong

• I paid a scammer. Stop talking to them. Call your bank, or the company you paid through, right away. Then report it at oig.ssa.gov/report and ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also call your local police.
• I gave out my Social Security number. Sign in or set up your account at ssa.gov/myaccount. You’ll get an alert if anyone tries to change your address or direct deposit. Then go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
• Someone offers to get my money back for a fee. That is usually a second scam. Don’t pay.
• It’s not your fault. Scammers fool careful people every day. Telling a family member can help.

More warning signs are in our guide to spotting a scam.

Official sources

• Social Security: Protect yourself from scams
• Social Security: Benefit increase for 2027, press release, Oct 14, 2026
• Social Security: COLA information for 2027
• SSA OIG: Don’t pay for promises of increased SSA benefits (Sep 21, 2026)
• SSA OIG: Beware of fake “call transfers” (Jul 29, 2026)
• SSA OIG: Think before you scan: barcode and QR code scams (Sep 28, 2026)
• SSA OIG: Report a Social Security scam
• FTC: Report fraud

Last checked: Oct 20, 2026

This is general help, not legal or financial advice. It covers U.S. Social Security only. For questions about your benefits, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.