Fake Social Security calls and texts to "activate" your 2027 COLA

The Scam

According to the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), after SSA announced the 3.6 percent 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on Oct. 14, 2026, scammers began contacting people by phone, text, email, social media, or mail, pretending to be from Social Security or another government agency and claiming they can increase payments or activate the COLA. SSA OIG says they may tell beneficiaries to pay a fee, change their direct deposit, or share personal or financial information, send links to official-looking websites, tell people to download software, use the names or job titles of real government employees, or send fake documents that look legitimate.

The Targets

Social Security beneficiaries, according to SSA OIG.

Red flags

• Someone says you must register, apply, or activate your COLA. SSA OIG says the COLA is automatic
• You're asked to pay a fee to get a bigger payment
• You're told to change your direct deposit
• You're sent a link to an official-looking site or told to download software

Your Move

• Don't pay, share personal or financial information, or change your direct deposit for anyone who contacts you about the COLA
• Get official contact information for the agency yourself and call directly
• Use your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to manage your benefits
• Report it at ssa.gov/scam or call the SSA OIG Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271

More steps for any scam link: I clicked a scam link. What now?

Still circulating?

SSA OIG issued this warning Oct. 21, 2026, a week after the 2027 COLA was announced.