Adding Additional Security to Protect What’s Important to You
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Social Security continues to evaluate and improve how we protect what’s important to you. We take this responsibility seriously, and we have a robust cyber-security program in place to help protect the personal information you entrust to us. Adding additional security measures to safeguard your personal information — but making them easy to use — is a vital part of keeping you safe and secure.
Beginning June 10, 2017, we will use a second method to check the identification of my Social Security account holders when they register or sign in. This is in addition to the first layer of security, a username and password. Right now, you don’t have to do anything for this new process. But you may want to sign in to your account to make sure you remember your username and password. Then, when you sign in on or after June 10, you will be able to choose either your cell phone or your email address as your second identification method. Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and potential identity fraud.
Since my Social Security became available in May 2012, more than 30 million people have created an account. We have always offered this second layer of protection, but only for customers who opted to use it.
Last summer, we added a second way for us to check your identity when you registered or signed in to my Social Security . However, at that time, we only allowed the use of a cell phone as your second identification method. We listened to your concerns, and beginning on June 10, you can choose either your cell phone or your email address as the second way for us to identify you. Since an email address is already required to use my Social Security , everyone can continue to benefit from the features my Social Security provides.
We’re committed to using the best technologies and standards available to protect our customers’ data. This new security advancement is just one of the ways we’re ensuring the safety of the resources entrusted to us. If you plan to select email as your second method, you can ensure that the one-time security code email does not go into your spam or junk folder by adding NO-REPLY@ssa.gov to your contact list.
In addition to these security enhancements, we’ll also upgrade the look and feel of my Social Security , in an effort to create an enhanced customer experience. The my Social Security portal will automatically adjust to the size of the screen and kind of device you are using – such as a tablet, smart phone, or computer. No matter what type of device you choose, you will have full, easy-to-use access to your personal my Social Security account.
Our new my Social Security design puts you in control — whether you’re using a computer, smart phone, or tablet.
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Tags: fraud, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Hi, I am trying to access my Social Security Account with one time code which is texted to me but your system will only accept 8 digit and you send 11 digit code and refuses access. And I have been on hold 1 hour 25 minutes and all I want is to change my mailing address been trying for 10 days with no luck HELP!!!!!
R.F.
We apologize for the long wait and for any inconveniences, Robert. We have established a dedicated My Social Security–Hotline, to assist customers with access to their personal account. Please call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance. Thanks.
Barry
Here is another, more recent article on why we shouldn’t use SMS based security codes “Why You Shouldn’t Use SMS for Two-Factor Authentication (and What to Use Instead), 6/12/17 ===> https://www.howtogeek.com/310418/why-you-shouldnt-use-sms-for-two-factor-authentication/
Per my previous comment:
PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING THIS SECURITY METHOD (like an authentication smartphone app (e.g., Google Authenticator)) FOR SSA LOGINS.
Barry
Lately I’ve been reading that security codes via text messages are not so secure (e.g., “SO HEY YOU SHOULD STOP USING TEXTS FOR TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION” (6/26/16) ===> https://www.wired.com/2016/06/hey-stop-using-texts-two-factor-authentication/). From this article, it appears that an authentication smartphone app (e.g., Google Authenticator) is a much better way to provide login security.
PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING THIS SECURITY METHOD FOR SSA LOGINS.
Cherrill
I wanted to be able to access My Social Security but to do so I had to check a box agreeing to going paperless, which is something I don’t want to do. My sight is limited and I like have paper back-up, using a computer isn’t easy and at some point I feel I may not be able to use it any longer. So I am not sure how to add extra security to my file without losing access to paper documentation.
R.F.
Hi Cherrill. There are a few important steps you or your family members can take to protect your Social Security benefits and your personal information. To learn more, please visit the Office of the Inspector General web page. Thanks!
Joe
Related question: can someone explain the optional “Extra Security” in more detail?
Specifically, I recently set up my SSA account. When I log in I:
1) Enter Username (ok)
2) Enter Password (ok)
3) Enter the one-time code I get via email or SMS (ok).
4) I have the option to enable “Extra Security” by entering an additional 8-digit “Account Upgrade Code” that I received via regular USPS paper mail. (Skipped for now)
So to be clear: I’m asking about step 4, not the one-time password in step 3.
The letter says “You may want to add extra security … if you have been a victim of …” [nothing that applies to me]. So it sounds like I don’t really need it, but I suppose I might as well enable it if it’s not going to make my life more complicated.
So it would be nice to have more detail about step 4. Is it just a one-time verification of my street address, or does it make use of the website more complicated in some way?
Thanks,
J.
R.F.
Hi Joe, please call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance with your personal my Social Security account. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” and speak with one of our representatives. Thanks!