[airstreamingypsy]

I never would have met my Nigerian prince if I hadn't clicked a link. I just sent him money to come for a visit, we are so in love, it's going to be magical. I can't wait, I'm so excited.

[Cuervo]

These scams are not going to disappear a matter of fact they will increase because it is profitable. Even though it is illegal and not a nice way to earn money I can see the motivation behind it. Who has the money to figure a system to stop this are large companies from Visa, Xfinity, even Express Pass. Put a mass advertising campaign in place, add checks to stop some scammers using these company's logos. Something they're the ones that can at least slow this down.

[SoCalGal]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

. In the last week, I have received three scam emails.

Only three?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Having multiple email accounts is a good idea. At this point, it would be a hassle to do it.

It really is a boon. My "main" e-mail is for immediate family, my doctors, my tax returns, and other "legal" things EXCEPT class-action suits I've joined up for.

Another one is for those rewards and loyalty things at stores - AND the class action lawsuits (like, I got $50 worth of store credit from Skechers back when they settled on the rocker sneakers that advertised it'd help people tone up and lose weight, and I might get around $20 from Facebook some day if they stop appealing it).

Another one is strictly for a volunteer group I'm in, and it contains all the other members of the group so I can send group e-mail news bulletins.

Another is strictly for a political thing.

A few are for different games I play - I made a separate e-mail for each game, because each game has its own unique account and account name.

One was exclusively for work-related communications, back when I used to work. My ADP notifications for paychecks, e-mails from the boss, human resources stuff, work-provided health insurance, etc. That one is dormant but I can still access it if I need to.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Paula

When I receive an email that looks strange but appears to be from a real friend, I forward it to my friend and ask if it's legitimate. Often the sender's email address isn't the same as the friend's real address so I do check that first. And of course, never click on anything in any of these emails.

If you forward it to your friend, and your friend clicks on any link in it, then you will have given your friend the virus that you were suspicious of. This is how three of my family members ended up with ransomware. My own friends and family know that I will never open any forwarded e-mail that I wasn't expecting (as in - I asked them to forward it, or they spoke with me and informed me they would forward it).

Instead of forwarding it, just call them and ask them.

[retiredguy123]

I just received an email from the Social Security Administration with several links to click on. How do they expect people to stop clicking on email links when even the Federal Government sends out emails asking people to click on a link? I think this is a legitimate email, but I have no way to know for sure.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I just received an email from the Social Security Administration with several links to click on. How do they expect people to stop clicking on email links when even the Federal Government sends out emails asking people to click on a link? I think this is a legitimate email, but I have no way to know for sure.

What email address is it from? What is the URL of the links? Why not skip the links and go directly to the SSA website?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

What email address is it from? What is the URL of the links? Why not skip the links and go directly to the SSA website?

It says it is from "subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov". I never click on email links, but many people do because the email senders include them in the email message. My point is that, if this could be a scam, legitimate senders, especially from the Government, should not include links in their email messages. Rather, they should tell you to log in to your account at ssa.gov.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It says it is from "subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov". I never click on email links, but many people do because the email senders include them in the email message. My point is that, if this could be a scam, legitimate senders, especially from the Government, should not include links in their email messages. Rather, they should tell you to log in to your account at ssa.gov.

This is from the SS website!!

How can I detect a phishing email pretending to be Social Security?

Most emails from Social Security will come from a “.gov" email address. If an email address does not end in “.gov”, use caution before opening attachments or clicking on pictures or links in the email. Currently, Social Security sends emails from no-reply@ssa.gov, subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov, Thank.You@ssa.gov, DoNotReply@ssa.gov, and echosign.com.

In a few instances, we use marketing firms to raise awareness of Social Security’s online services, and this includes creating a my Social Security account. We allow these firms to send email directly to individuals. Any links you find within these emails should always point to a “.gov/” web address.

Access Denied

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

This is from the SS website!!

How can I detect a phishing email pretending to be Social Security?

Most emails from Social Security will come from a “.gov" email address. If an email address does not end in “.gov”, use caution before opening attachments or clicking on pictures or links in the email. Currently, Social Security sends emails from no-reply@ssa.gov, subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov, Thank.You@ssa.gov, DoNotReply@ssa.gov, and echosign.com.

In a few instances, we use marketing firms to raise awareness of Social Security’s online services, and this includes creating a my Social Security account. We allow these firms to send email directly to individuals. Any links you find within these emails should always point to a “.gov/” web address.

Access Denied

Your last sentence is not true. One of the links on the email I received from ssa was to facebook, which is a com address, not gov.

Also, I know that phone numbers can be spoofed, but I don't know if email addresses can also be spoofed.

The Government is hypocritical. Some agencies are warning people to never click on an email link, but other agencies are sending emails that actually encourage people to click on their links.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Your last sentence is not true. One of the links on the email I received from ssa was to facebook, which is a com address, not gov.

Just to clarify, that wasn’t my sentence. It was taken directly from the Social Security website.

And I agree that they shouldn’t have a link. They should tell you to sign into the SS website for a message.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I just received an email from the Social Security Administration with several links to click on. How do they expect people to stop clicking on email links when even the Federal Government sends out emails asking people to click on a link? I think this is a legitimate email, but I have no way to know for sure.

Sure you have a way to be sure. Go to your social security account on the ssa.gov website, and look for your "messages" or "notifications."

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Sure you have a way to be sure. Go to your social security account on the ssa.gov website, and look for your "messages" or "notifications."

My point is that, If that is the safe way to go, then why does the SSA include a link in the email to log in to your account? That just encourages scammers to create a fake SSA email with a fake log in link. If the SSA includes a link, many people will use it.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

My point is that, If that is the safe way to go, then why does the SSA include a link in the email to log in to your account? That just encourages scammers to create a fake SSA email with a fake log in link. If the SSA includes a link, many people will use it.

Pretty much a no-win situation for them. If they include a link then someone complains about safety but if they don’t include a link someone else complains about making things difficult. A nice solution I’ve seen is to include a link but also provide the URL to the main page and directions for navigating to the information.