🛡️ Social Security COLA Scams 2027 — "Claim Your Raise Before It's Gone"

"Hello, this is the Social Security Administration calling about your 2027 cost-of-living raise. To release your increased payment, I need to verify your Social Security number right now."

Every October, the Social Security Administration announces the next year's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) — the raise that helps benefits keep up with inflation. For 2027, the announcement lands on October 14, and experts expect roughly 3.5% — about $73 more per month on the average check, the biggest raise since 2023.

Scammers love this moment. Millions of seniors are watching the news, wondering how much their check will grow — and criminals call, text, and email pretending they can "release," "expedite," or "calculate" your raise. Here's the truth that defeats every version of this scam:

Your COLA is completely automatic. You never have to claim it, verify it, apply for it, or call anyone about it. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.

How the COLA really works

Knowing the real process takes away the scammer's power:

• It's automatic by law. The COLA comes from a formula in the Social Security Act — no forms, no phone calls, no action needed from you, ever.
• It's announced once a year. Every October, based on inflation data from July, August, and September. For 2027: October 14, 2026.
• It shows up in January. The raise applies to December 2026 benefits, which you receive in January 2027. SSI recipients see it December 31, 2026.
• Social Security notifies you by mail. You'll get an official notice explaining your new amount. It comes in an envelope — never a text asking you to click.
• Medicare takes a bite. The Part B premium (about $202.90 in 2026, projected higher for 2027) is deducted automatically too — also automatic, also nothing to "verify."

How the scams work — the four scripts to recognize

1. The "verify to release your raise" call

The caller claims to be from Social Security and says your COLA increase is "pending verification." They need your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank details to "release" it. There is nothing to release — the raise applies itself. They are harvesting your identity.

2. The "early COLA bonus" text

A text says your COLA bonus or back-pay is ready and includes a link to "claim" it. The link leads to a fake SSA website designed to steal your login or install malware. Social Security never sends benefit links by text.

3. The "expedite your increase" pitch

Someone offers to get your raise to you faster — for a small fee, or in exchange for your information. The payment schedule is fixed by law and identical for everyone. No one can speed it up, and no one legitimate would charge you for it.

4. The fake COLA calculator website

Official-looking sites promise to "calculate your exact 2027 benefit" if you enter your Social Security number, earnings history, or create an account. Real calculators (including ours) never need your Social Security number. Never type it into a website you found through an ad or text.

Red flags — hang up or delete when you see these

• Anyone asking you to "claim," "verify," or "activate" your COLA
• Calls or texts about your raise that you didn't ask for
• Links to "check your new benefit amount" — go to ssa.gov yourself instead
• Anyone who knows part of your info (name, address) and wants the rest "to confirm"
• Pressure: "this offer expires," "your raise will be delayed," "act before Friday"
• Requests for payment, gift cards, or wire transfers connected to your benefits
• "Agents" who get angry or threatening when you hesitate

What to do if they already called

1. Just hang up. You owe a scammer nothing. Hang up, block the number.
2. Check your real information yourself. Log in to ssa.gov/myaccount (type it yourself) or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 — the real number, from their official site.
3. If you gave personal information: consider placing a free fraud alert with the credit bureaus, and watch your SSA account and bank statements closely.
4. Report it. Social Security's fraud hotline: 1-800-269-0271, or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
5. Tell a friend. The COLA announcement is national news — warn the seniors in your life before the scammers reach them.

Sources: Social Security Administration (ssa.gov); Bureau of Labor Statistics; The Senior Citizens League; AARP. Estimates as of early October 2026; official figure announced October 14, 2026. Last updated October 2026.