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Writer's pictureDearRobin

Social Security and Text Messages

Updated: Nov 12, 2019

DearRobin,

I recently received a text from Social Security. Is it safe to click on the link in the message?


Dear Erica-

Social Security will never send you a text message. The Social Security Administration does not send unsolicited emails or text messages requesting personal information that should already be in its records. Really, no government agency would do this. This is what is called a smishing scam. Smishing is a close cousin of phishing but uses text messages on cellphones and smartphones instead of e-mails. The smisher wants to obtain passwords, credit card information or your Social Security number to sell them on the darknet, a.k.a. the dark web.

If the hackers are able to obtain your personal information, they can steal your identity and apply for credit cards and loans while pretending to be you.

So never click on links in text messages to provide anyone with any of your personal information.

If you would like to learn more check out the my resources on CyberSafeSenior.com



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