Is this email about an increase in Social Security legit?

Dear Toni: On April 20, I received an email stating that I am to receive a $200 monthly increase in my Social Security check, which will be $2,400 for the year.

I am hesitant to reply to the emails because I read your article stating that Medicare, Social Security or the IRS will not send out emails seeking information. You advised your readers not to reply to an email or text, so I did not.

I have not received notice by mail or email explaining when this increase will happen. Do you know where I should go for trustworthy information? — Chris, Columbus, Ohio

Dear Chris: Social Security has recently warned the public about attempts to gain your personal information to receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from the Social Security Administration for $2,400, or $200 a month.

Social Security does not announce what the new COLA is until the fall.

The new COLA for 2027 will be announced in late October or early November of 2026. The COLA for 2027 will begin with your new 2027 Social Security check amount payable in January 2027.

Chris, you have received a bogus email from a scammer who is only trying to to get money out of you. The office of the inspector general for Social Security keeps a list of current scams at oig.ssa.gov/scam-alerts. Medicare and the IRS have similar offices watching out for prevalent scams.

Below are a few tips to help protect you from Social Security, Medicare or IRS fraud:

■ Have a safety script by your phone for scam/fraud calls. Tell anyone, especially scammers, you do not give out personal information over the phone. Stick to the script no matter what!

■ For scam/fraud emails, do not open the email or reply back. Just delete the email.

■ Never give your Medicare or Social Security number to strangers who call you on the phone, come knocking on your door or ask for it in an email or text.

■ Do not accept “free” offers in exchange for your Medicare number. Remember, nothing is free. These scammers will have Medicare pay for whatever they are offering, and they will use your Medicare number to get it paid for.

Social Security, Medicare and IRS fraud are exploding, so please let your friends and family members know what I have just told you.

Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664.