Community Chat

[bri20]

Sounds like a scam.

Don't go to your social security account from the email.  Go to your account from the social security site and check it out...

[KingstonsMom]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

How would the IRS or SS even have your email address?  I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

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@Kachina624

I applied for SS benefits online, that's how they have my emaill address.

I also get emails from the SSA to check my annual benefits statement.

[SharkE]

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@nomless wrote:

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@SharkE wrote:

Is this legit ? you never know any more what is real and what isn't.

I got an email telling hubbo to go to his ss account  and now put in a cell phone number, they, will send to him a new code, to use whenever he goes to his SS account in an effort to protect his information with another layer of protection.

Makes you wonder is this 'phishing'?

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@SharkE, I got this email, too, but it is in regard to MySocialSecurity, not IRS.  In fact, in your post, you also say it is in regard to Social Security, not IRS as you put on your headline

I think it's real because the from line domain is SSA.gov, but like you, I'm not sure. I find it odd that SSA would require a user to have a cell one in order to use the account, and according to this message, that is indeed the case.  That makes me skeptical.  I know that security codes they describe are sometimes used, but usually there are alternate methods of delivery....landline, cell, email.  In this case, it says the only means of delivery is cell phone.  Hmmm, that makes me suspicious.

To verify if it's real, in August (when this change will be implemented according to the email)try, logging into the SSA account using the standard URL and see if you are required to enter a cell number to access the account. Do not use a link in the email (I can't remember if there is one).

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your absolutely right I got my connections crossed. LOL

I was referring to SS.  Thank U for the correction ! It's early ! LOL

[Patriot3]

IRS only communicates via US mail.  Any other conveyance is a scam.  Do not pay any attention to it

[aproudmom]

Every place now wants your email address.  That is how they communicate with you.  I did get that email from Social Security.  I went into my account and changed my email address.  I then got an email at my new address that questioned if I did make the change and not to reply, but go the SS Website.  If you question it, call them.

[nycgrl]

I got it too - went to my spam.  I immediately deleted it.  Don't even open these.  The IRS does NOT send emails ever.  This has been all over the news recently.  

[Kachina624]

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

How would the IRS or SS even have your email address?  I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

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@Kachina624

I applied for SS benefits online, that's how they have my emaill address.

I also get emails from the SSA to check my annual benefits statement.

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@KingstonsMomI did too but they've never ask for nor have I given them an email address.  I've never received email from them either.

[nomless]

I just did a search on the SSA site.  Currently, use of a cell phone to which a code can be sent via text is an optional means of security, but it doesn't say if this will be mandatory as of August, as stated in the email.  So, I still don't know. 

There's nothing on Snopes about it.

And yes, SSA can and does communicate via email.  But don't ever click on a link in the email.  If you need to go to the site, always use the standard URL.

[KingstonsMom]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

How would the IRS or SS even have your email address?  I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

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@Kachina624

I applied for SS benefits online, that's how they have my emaill address.

I also get emails from the SSA to check my annual benefits statement.

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@KingstonsMomI did too but they've never ask for nor have I given them an email address.  I've never received email from them either.

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@Kachina624

Maybe you didn't sign up for 'MySocialSecurity' which allows you to check your benefits statement online, rather than receiving a mail copy. Part of their effort to 'go

green'.

If you didn't set up this account, you would not be getting emails.

I also get free identity record monitoring through SSA, after someone filed taxes in my name a couple of years ago.

I get monthly emails from them re: any activity in my name/SSN#.

[SharkE]

according to the email I got it said it will be mandatory and everytime you go into your account from here on in you type in the code and they will send you a confirmation if it was really U or not.