Feds Warn That Offers to Increase Your Social Security Benefits Are Scams

Blank Social Security checks are run through a printer at the U.S. Treasury printing facility in Philadelphia, Pa., on Feb. 11, 2005. William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is warning Americans not to trust unexpected offers to activate a Social Security benefit following the agency’s announcement that it would make a higher-than-usual cost-of-living adjustment for 2023.

“That unexpected offer from the Social Security Administration to activate a benefit increase is from a criminal and not the real SSA. Do not share personal or financial information. Do not click on links or respond,” the agency said on Thursday, describing such offers as a scam.