Suspicious email

[ElliottMBurke12]

Just received an email from [email protected] <[email protected]> with the following text:

It’s time to tell your lawmakers: “I pay into and EARN my Social Security — and you MUST protect it." Talking with your Congressional offices makes a huge impact and shows them what’s on voters’ minds.

We are hearing from thousands of older Americans who are confused and concerned about their Social Security. They want to know their members of Congress will protect Social Security for them, their children, and grandchildren.

Dial 866-972-9806 to talk to your U.S. House Representative
Dial 866-995-8827 to talk to your U.S. Senators

This is all well and good but since I have been contacting my Senators and Representatives, I KNOW that these are not the numbers to contact them by.

[ElliottMBurke12]

Thank you for the help and suggestion!
As a new senior and now receiving emails aimed at the senior demographic, I'm cautious of scams. While this seems to be legitimate, unfortunately it resembles too many spoofing emails. What I didn't mention was the link included wherein I can let AARP know that I  took action.
I also searched the numbers and came up with nothing, except there were various sites complaining of phone scams. Not a great sign.
I also forwarded the email to AARP's spoof address and suggested they might consider using another method which doesn't raise flags.

[papawofboo]

I didn't get that one. I remember when they use to send out this paper memo about stuff important to seniors that had your congress person's name on it. You were to sign it and send it back to them and they in turn would get them to the correct person. I wish they would start doing that again. A pill of paper signed by voters dumped on their desk would be more of a statement than a computer printout with some numbers on it.

[w76741s]

I called the numbers; they are simply an AARP routing system that asks for your zip code so they can put you through to your rep or senator. They also give you a little information about Social Security, to help you if you aren't sure what to say on your call. 

[RichardG309168]

Hey Elliott: 

I received the same email.

At first I didn't think anything about it other than it was different in that other times AARP has asked me to contact my Congressfolks, it has been through email rather than a phone call, so I 'Googled' the phone numbers provided in the email. 

I expected that Google would tell me the phone numbers were for legitimate Congressional offices, but that did not occur. Instead Google gave me a whole lot of 'nuthin'! 

If this is a legitimate email from AARP, then they have done a VERY POOR job of convincing us to take any action at all. I believe this email is another form of "Spoofing". 

Thanks for your diligence in reporting this. 

I concur with your suspicions, this email is NOT real. 

Rick G.