Cyber Safety

Avoiding Scams and Cyber-Fraud

In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received nearly 400,000 reports of government imposter scams, an increase of more than 40% compared to 2024. (Source: FTC Government Imposter infographic)

Occasionally, TRS hears about scams targeting our own retirees. For example, a few retired TRS members have reported receiving a text message that implies their retirement benefits will end. Please know that TRS does not distribute urgent information by text message or email. Remember, too, that a TRS retiree’s benefit is guaranteed for life!

How can you tell if a message you received is fraudulent? Here are some tips:

  • Scammers often convey a sense of urgency to scare you into doing what they ask. If you receive a text message, phone call, voice mail or email indicating you must act quickly to avoid a negative outcome (such as losing a benefit or being fined), it is almost certainly a scam.

  • Reputable businesses and organizations will never contact you to request or confirm your username or password.

  • Don’t trust caller ID! Scammers can make their calls appear to come from a trusted entity, such as your local sheriff’s office, your bank, or the IRS.

Did you know?

TRS takes your privacy very seriously. Tax forms, pay stubs, and other documents that contain sensitive information like your SSN and payment details are never distributed using non-secure channels such as email. They are sent by first class mail to the address we currently have on file for you. To keep your private information from falling into the wrong hands, TRS does not allow those documents to be forwarded to another address, even if you have a forwarding request on file with the post office. Undeliverable items are returned to TRS for safekeeping.

When in doubt:

Never dial a phone number or click a link sent to you in a text message or email you were not expecting. To confirm the legitimacy of any message about your TRS membership or benefits, feel free to call us during normal business hours. Our main office number is shown below and is also printed on the official letterhead used for TRS correspondence.