What Should I Do? I just received this email notice "Subject: Urgent: SSN Suspended - Required Action Now From: U.S. Department Administration" Should I respond? :sm02: :sm04: :sm04:...

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

I just received this email notice "Subject: Urgent: SSN Suspended - Required Action Now From: U.S. Department Administration"

Should I respond?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TheShoe wrote:

I just received this email notice, "Urgent: SSN Suspended - Required Action Now U.S. Department Administration". Should I respond?

NO, NO, NO!!!!!!
Phishing!

SSA sends notices by USPS ONLY!

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

The sender should also be a red flag, no matter what is stated as the subject.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TheShoe wrote:

The sender should also be a red flag, no matter what is stated as the subject.

"US DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION"

Think about that..... WHAT department.

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

Longshadow wrote:

"US DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION"

Think about that..... WHAT department.

The Brits have (or at least had) one of those. Made a whole TV series about it. (Yes Minister, for those of you who don't know - an absolute hoot, especially Sir Humphrey's monologues explaining why what the Minister wanted to do wouldn't work and only what the permanent staff (meaning he) wanted to do, would.)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

wrangler5 wrote:

The Brits have (or at least had) one of those. Made a whole TV series about it. (Yes Minister, for those of you who don't know - an absolute hoot, especially Sir Humphrey's monologues explaining why what the Minister wanted to do wouldn't work and only what the permanent staff (meaning he) wanted to do, would.)

Yup, watched it when it was on PBS in my area.

Klickitatdave Loc: Seattle Washington

Phishing emails always indicate that the situation is urgent in order to get the receiver of the email to act before thinking things through. If there is any implication that you need to act immediately and the source is plausible, you should look up the verifiable contact information for the company or agency directly and then contact them directly using that information.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Klickitatdave wrote:

Phishing emails always indicate that the situation is urgent in order to get the receiver of the email to act before thinking things through. If there is any implication that you need to act immediately and the source is plausible, you should look up the verifiable contact information for the company or agency directly and then contact them directly using that information.

ALWAYS!

If one looks at the header information in an email, one can see that the "emails" from suposedly "local/US" companies are being sent from servers in India, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Bulgaria, and a host of other places.
Unfortunately also from servers in the US, but not the "company" server account.
The "FROM:" can be spoofed..... Usually with bogus non-valid email addresses.

Klickitatdave Loc: Seattle Washington

Longshadow wrote:

ALWAYS!

If one looks at the header information in an email, one can see that the "emails" from suposedly "local/US" companies are being sent from servers in India, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Bulgaria, and a host of other places.
Unfortunately also from servers in the US, but not the "company" server account.
The "FROM:" can be spoofed..... Usually with bogus non-valid email addresses.

One thing that I need to add is that even if the email doesn't report that the situation is urgent you should never click on any link in that message. One should always search for the contact information, verify that information, and then contact the alleged sender using that information. As you point out the bad guys can spoof email addresses and disguise them to look authentic.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Klickitatdave wrote:

One thing that I need to add is that even if the email doesn't report that the situation is urgent you should never click on any link in that message. One should always search for the contact information, verify that information, and then contact the alleged sender using that information. As you point out the bad guys can spoof email addresses and disguise them to look authentic.

They can disguise links too.
Links can be re-directed also.
Like this one: http://pahs69.wharbison.net

KillroyII Loc: Middle Georgia

TheShoe wrote:

I just received this email notice "Subject: Urgent: SSN Suspended - Required Action Now From: U.S. Department Administration"

Should I respond?

YES, respond by deleting it!

Possibly report it, to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), as SPAM/Phishing before the deletion.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

TheShoe wrote:

I just received this email notice "Subject: Urgent: SSN Suspended - Required Action Now From: U.S. Department Administration"

Should I respond?

Are you actually questioning this email? First, you would be notified by snail mail if your SSN was suspended, and, given a reason why it was suspended. Second and most important!!! WHAT IN HELL IS: "U.S. Department Administration?" Administration of WHAT? WHERE? WHO!!!!! Just disregard this type of email......

willaim Loc: Sunny Southern California

U.S. Department Administration? If that doesn't say, SCAM, then nothing does. DON'T ANSWER.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

willaim wrote:

U.S. Department Administration? If that doesn't say, SCAM, then nothing does. DON'T ANSWER.

Dannj

NO!!! DON’T OPEN IT!!!
DELETE IT!!

Sometimes just opening spam can lead to being hacked. The SSA will not contact you by e-mail.