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Scam alert

Pay a Fee to Raise Your Social Security Check? Hang Up

Updated · First posted

United States · oig.ssa.gov · Arrives by a phone call, letter, text, ad, or social media message

The short answer

A call, text, email, or letter that says you must pay a fee or give your Social Security number or bank details to get a bigger benefit, or to activate your 2027 increase, is a scam. Social Security announced a 3.6 percent increase for 2027 on October 14, 2026, and it is automatic. Social Security's inspector general says the agency never calls to offer a bigger benefit in exchange for a fee or information. Do not pay, and do not open any link in the message. If you have a question, hang up and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

What is happening

On September 21, 2026, the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General warned about calls, ads, letters, texts, and social media messages that offer to raise a person's benefit for an upfront fee, sometimes through an official-looking form that collects bank details or other personal information. On October 14, 2026, Social Security announced a 3.6 percent cost-of-living increase for 2027, and its scam page lists a claim that you need to give personal information or pay to activate a cost-of-living increase as a sign of a scam. Across the country in October 2026, the inspector general's office told Yahoo News it is preparing for reports of scammers demanding $100 or personal information to "activate" the increase, and for texts, emails, and letters that link to fake Social Security websites.

How to recognize it

  • You are told to pay a fee, or give your Social Security number or bank details, to activate your 2027 increase.
  • Someone offers to make your Social Security check bigger if you pay a fee.
  • The offer promises to boost, unlock, or maximize your benefit.
  • A message links to a form or website that looks like Social Security's but is not ssa.gov.
  • A prize or contest says you must switch your Social Security direct deposit to a new account or prepaid card to collect.

What to do instead

  1. Do not pay anyone for a higher Social Security benefit.
  2. Do not call a number or open a link from the offer.
  3. Check your benefit and direct deposit yourself at ssa.gov/myaccount, typed into your browser. If you have an account, your 2027 notice appears there starting in late November. Paper notices arrive by mail in December.
  4. If you have a question, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
  5. If a parent or neighbor gets Social Security, the rule is: the yearly raise is automatic, and nobody can sell you a bigger check.

If it already happened

Responding to one of these is common and understandable. These steps are what people usually take next.

  1. These offers are made to look official, and many careful people have answered them.
  2. If you paid a fee or shared bank details, call your bank on the number on your card.
  3. Sign in at ssa.gov/myaccount and check that your direct deposit has not changed. If it has, or you cannot sign in, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office.
  4. Report it at ssa.gov/scam. If you gave your Social Security number, IdentityTheft.gov has a step-by-step recovery plan.
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Common questions

Do I need to do anything to get the 2027 cost-of-living increase?
No. Social Security announced a 3.6 percent increase for 2027. It starts with January 2027 payments, or December 31, 2026 for SSI, and it is applied automatically. There is nothing to claim, unlock, or pay for.
The offer says it is from Social Security. How can I tell?
Social Security's inspector general says the agency will never call to offer increased benefits in exchange for information or a fee. Hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 yourself.
I only gave my bank details, not money. Is that a problem?
It can be. Money reported that criminals can use a Social Security number and bank details to change where benefits are paid. Check your direct deposit at ssa.gov/myaccount and call your bank.

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Pay a Fee to Raise Your Social Security Check? Hang Up

A call, text, email, or letter that says you must pay a fee or give your Social Security number or bank details to get a bigger benefit, or to activate your 2027 increase, is a scam. Social Security announced a 3.6 percent increase for 2027 on October 14, 2026, and it is automatic. Social Security's inspector general says the agency never calls to offer a bigger benefit in exchange for a fee or information. Do not pay, and do not open any link in the message. If you have a question, hang up and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Read the full alert: https://endscamsproject.com/latest-scams/ssa-benefit-increase-fee-scam

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This alert provides general educational information drawn from the sources above. It cannot determine whether a specific message you received is genuine, investigate an incident, or promise recovery or reimbursement.

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