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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louis m.
Tried to download a copy of a benefits letter, but was told my account was suspended, why?
R.F.
Hi Louis, 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. Thanks!
Sandra C.
I got locked out of my account on line. Can I just go into my local office to get it fixed? Do I need an appointment?
I have a very low voice and get mistaken for a man a lot on phone calls and it’s embarrassing trying convince people who I am.
R.F.
Hi Sandra, 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. Yes, you can contact your local Social Security office directly and explain your situation. Thanks!
Theodore M.
The last several times I’ve tried to login to my account were unsuccessful. The verification email takes too long to receive. The 10 min. time limit has long since expired?
R.F.
Hello Theodore! If you are having difficulties with your personal my Social Security 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. Thanks.
Sonia L.
I hope to have your answer as quick as possible.
Thank you.
Sonia L.
I’m not yet sent it? Did you get it my message?
Sonia L.
I have some question, I have never had my Social Security
Number, Could I have It right now?. My social security benefit that they’re given me a list to pays, but never get any payment yet That I really need received right now.
Don’t have any security for me, Need have protect.
My internet email need have urgent Security need, because since six months an attacker stay every day, every moment. My phone lost Three day, I must have security phone attacker fallowing me all a ways I use it.
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Tim J.
While I applaud SSA for moving to 2FA, I fail to see how your implementation makes it any more secure than just userid & password. Here’s why. I’ve chosen to receive my special code via text, so I’m prompted to confirm that my phone number is still valid, or it needs to be changed. Now, at this point, someone already has my userid & password. All they need to do is change the phone number so the code will be sent to to their own phone, and they are in.
Am I missing something?
Thanks.
Esperanza
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