Every year, as Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment gets attention, scammers get an opportunity to make a tempting promise:
“We can increase your Social Security benefits.”
They may contact you by phone, text, email, or through an online advertisement. They may claim they can help you “unlock” additional benefits, maximize your payment, activate an increase, or make sure you receive money you are supposedly entitled to.
The problem is simple: you don’t need a private service to activate a Social Security benefit increase.
The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General has specifically warned about criminals offering to increase or activate Social Security benefits.
What the scammer wants
The pitch may sound helpful, but the real objective is often to obtain personal or financial information.
That could include your:
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Bank account information
- Medicare information
- Online Social Security account credentials
- Credit or debit card information
The scammer may also ask you to pay a fee.
A useful rule
Don’t pay someone who contacts you unexpectedly and claims they can increase your Social Security benefit.
Don’t click a link in the message.
Don’t give them your Social Security number or banking information.
And don’t assume a phone number, website, or logo is legitimate simply because it looks official.
Instead, go directly to the official Social Security website by typing the address yourself or using a bookmark you’ve already verified.
The important distinction
Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment is not something you have to “activate” by paying a company or responding to an unsolicited message.
That’s what makes this type of scam particularly effective. It doesn’t necessarily frighten you.
It tempts you.
The promise of a larger monthly check can be enough to make someone overlook the warning signs.
One thing worth remembering
If someone unexpectedly tells you they can increase your Social Security benefit, verify the claim independently before doing anything else.
A legitimate government benefit shouldn’t require you to trust a stranger who contacted you first.
Evidence: Strong
Source: Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, “IG Warning: Offers to Increase Your Social Security Benefit Are from Criminals,” October 20, 2022.
Official sources
About this information
Senior Life Watchdog provides general public information and is not a government agency, law firm, financial advisory service, or healthcare provider. This information is intended to help readers understand changes and locate official resources. Rules can change and individual eligibility depends on your circumstances. Always verify important information with the appropriate government agency or qualified professional before making financial, legal, or healthcare decisions.
Last verified: September 25, 2026
We’ll update this page when official information changes.
VERIFY THE INFORMATION
- Source:
- Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General
- Official publication:
- IG Warning: Offers to Increase Your Social Security Benefit Are from Criminals
- Last verified by Senior Life Watchdog:
KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD SEE THIS?
If this information could help someone you know, share this alert with them.
GET THE WATCHDOG ALERT
Important changes. Scam warnings. Benefits updates. Only when something actually matters.
Your email address is used only for Senior Life Watchdog communications. We do not sell or share subscriber information.