Fake Social Security calls and texts target retirees. One rule helps.

Scammers are posing as the Social Security Administration (SSA) by phone, text, letter and social media. They can even make a call look like it truly comes from the agency. The best protection is knowing how the real agency contacts people.

What is happening

The SSA says impersonators can spoof caller ID. That means they falsify the phone number that shows on your screen. Some also build fake websites with official-looking logos that seem legitimate at first glance.

The pitch usually plays on fear and urgency. A caller may claim your Social Security number was "suspended" because of criminal activity, and that you must pay right away to restore your benefits.

The one rule

Understand how Social Security legitimately makes contact. Its employees do call the public for business. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who recently applied for a benefit, who already receive payments and need a record update, or who asked for a call. If there is a problem with a number or record, it will typically mail a letter.

Who can relax

A phone call is not automatically a scam. If you applied recently or asked the agency to call you, a real call is possible. The warning sign is pressure, not the ringing phone. An urgent demand is a red flag no matter what number appears on your screen.

What to watch for

The SSA says the real agency will never do the following. If a message does any of these, treat it as fake.

• Threaten legal action if you do not pay immediately
• Say it needs money to activate a cost-of-living adjustment
• Pressure you to share sensitive information
• Message you on social media or demand that you keep the talk secret

You can also check web links and email addresses. Fake websites can often be spotted by looking closely at the URL.

What to do

The steps in the alert box above cover how to respond and where to report. A few extras help. A strong password and multi-factor authentication, which adds a second check when you sign in, go a long way. Check your bank statements each month to confirm benefits are still arriving.

If someone has used your information to open a new account, the Federal Trade Commission has an identity theft reporting tool. The SSA also offers resources on its website, and its Office of Inspector General runs a scam-alert page that describes ongoing scams. Reports help these agencies warn others.