Florida Facts & Fraud Prevention on Social Security

(This article was contributed by Karen Murillo, Associate State Director of Advocacy)

Do you have questions about the changes to Social Security policy going into effect this Monday (April 14, 2025)? You’re not alone! Over 5 million Florida residents rely on Social Security benefits and 78% of those Floridians are retirees, which is why AARP Florida wants to make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information when it comes to Social Security, and to help you distinguish fact from fiction.

Check out our FL Social Security Fact Sheet to learn more about the impact of social security on Floridians.

Hearing rumors about local office closures?

• As of April 9, 2025, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office Closures webpage there were no reported permanent field office closures in Florida.
  
• Some SSA field offices in Florida have experienced temporary closures or reduced in-person service hours to accommodate resource and staffing limitations, which is not always reflected in your local office information online.
  
• Know Before You Go: The SSA strongly encourages customers to schedule appointments ahead of time with their local field offices by either contacting your local office directly or through the SSA’s toll-free national number (1-800-772-1213), available 8 AM- 7 PM, Monday-Friday.

What’s happening to Social Security on April 14, 2025?

• Last month (March 2025), the SSA announced some major changes being made to the customer service helpline, which were slated to go into effect on April 14, 2025. However, more recent statements from the SSA have suggested these changes may only apply to a limited number of callers – although the ultimate impact of these new policies remain to be seen.
  
• Regardless of the policies going into effect this Monday, the SSA’s customer service staffing and resources have been unable to keep pace with the growing needs of the 69 million Americans currently receiving Social Security benefits, including through the SSA’s Helpline. Without adequate funding, older Americans can anticipate the trend of long wait times on the phone, crowded field offices, and challenges with obtaining in-person appointments to continue for the foreseeable future.
  
• Check out AARP’s Social Security Resource Center to find the most up-to-date information on Social Security and to learn more about how AARP is working to protect the benefits you’ve earned.

Fraudsters love to exploit confusion around current events, particularly when it comes to the government programs many Floridians rely on. Last year (2024) Americans lost over $130 million just to scammers claiming to work for the SSA.

Criminals frequently impersonate the SSA and other government agencies because THEY WANT:

1. Your personal information,
2. Your money, or
3. Access to your electronic device.

Scammers try to pressure you into taking immediate action, often using one of the following COMMON TACTICS in Social Security imposter scams:

• Threats of arrest and/or the suspension of your Social Security benefits.
• Alerts that your Social Security number has been linked to a crime.
• Warnings that your bank account is at risk of being drained or seized.
• Offers to increase your benefits or for help with “expediting” your application.
• Demands for immediate payment (often for supposed overpayments or fees).

HOW THEY COMMUNICATE:

Fraudsters may pose as the SSA in official-looking correspondence in a letter sent through the mail or in an email. They might also reach out in a phone call, text message, or by sending a direct message through social media (like Facebook) or through LinkedIn.

No matter what type of communication you receive, here are some fraud prevention safety tips to keep in mind:

1.   The SSA will NEVER TEXT YOU TO CONFIRM YOUR IDENTITY.

• The SSA will NOT ask you to provide or confirm your personal information via text, this is a scam!
  
• You will only receive text messages with updates and information from the SSA if you opt-in to receiving communications via text in connection with your Social Security account. (If you didn’t consent to receiving texts, it’s likely a scam.)

2.  DON’T CLICK ON LINKS or download attachments in emails or texts from the SSA, even when they look legitimate.

• The SSA issued a fraud alert on April 1, 2025, about fraudulent emails that appear to be from the SSA, but they’re really coming from scammers trying to get you to click on malicious links or download malware to your device.
  
• Even if you see an email address ending in “.gov” or other details that make a communication appear credible, avoid clicking on links; instead log in directly to your My Social Security account to view updates and requests.

 

3.     BE SKEPTICAL OF CALLS, especially those supposedly coming from government agencies like the SSA (no matter what your caller ID says).

• The SSA does NOT normally contact customers out of the blue; usually phone calls from the SSA occur for one of the following reasons:
  
  • You’ve requested a call back from the agency.
  • In response to your recently filed application for Social Security benefits.
  • Updated information is needed once you’re already receiving benefits.

  Fraudsters use technology like “spoofing” to trick your caller ID into displaying the name of a government agency or to create email addresses that look real.

4.     ONLY USE VERIFIABLE CONTACT INFORMATION when reaching out to the SSA (or any government agency).

• DON’T rely on contact information provided in a message or letter (even with official-looking correspondence); instead, go directly to the SSA’s official website for reliable contact methods.
  
• Avoid using popular search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.) to research contact information because scammers often manipulate search engine results.

5.     REPORT Social Security-related scams.

• One of the most effective methods of fraud prevention is IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING – report suspected Social-Security-related fraud online or by calling the SSA Fraud Hotline (1-800-269-0271), 10 AM – 4 PM ET, Monday – Friday.
  
• Not sure if the communication you received was legitimate? In addition visiting your My Social Security account online, you can also contact your local Social Security office or call the SSA’s toll-free national number (1-800-772-1213) with questions.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam, you’re not alone. Not sure where to start? Call or visit the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with a trained fraud, 8 AM – 8 PM ET, Monday – Friday.