Two "MySSA" Social Security Administration phishing scams to watch for

Description (official SSA.gov alert is here)

• In the first scam, you receive an official-looking email from the Social Security Administration (SSA), inviting you to create an account so you can receive benefits. The link lands you on a fraudulent web page where scammers hope you will input your confidential information.
• In the second scam, the bad guys actually create an account for you and then redirect payments to a bank account that they control.

Prevention tips:

• As always, stop, think and do not click! Navigate to ssa.gov directly from your web browser.
• Create your own MySSA account with a strong username and password at https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.do. This is similar to filing your tax return early before the bad guys file a bogus return and steal your refund.
• When creating your MySSA account, under Add extra security, enable two-factor authentication via text message.
• After you create your MySSA account, go to settings and choose the option that any changes to your bank account be done physically at a SSA branch office instead of using your online account.
• Alternatively, block all electronic access to your Social Security record. See https://secure.ssa.gov/acu/IPS_INTR/blockaccess. To unblock your record in the future requires contacting the SSA.