Frauds & Scams, Online Services

Adding Additional Security to Protect What’s Important to You

May 4, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

2 women on cell phone, 2 men on laptopSocial 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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Kathleen A.

    I have been blocked trying to sign in. It says to wait 24 hours. Is there another way to sign in?

  2. Katherine E.

    Pursuant to your mailing new SS cards beginning this April, I wanted to give you my new address. My new address is: 29661 S. Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. 90275. Please telephone me if you have any questions @ 201-682-9796. Thank you.

  3. Melissa A.

    I been trying to sign into my account but it’s not letting me. I haven’t been on Since 2016, is there a way I can reset my username and password?

  4. Arlie

    Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or
    vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same subjects as
    yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an email.

    I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!cheap jerseys

  5. russell p.

    the irs contacted me with a letter saying that my ss number was being used to gain employment and that i should take precautions to protect all of my credit and my ss from fraud

  6. Martin

    Great place to order chinese jersey site by Paypal.
    cheap jersey hangers

  7. Alice Y.

    I have not been on my social security page for a few months, and when I tried to log in today it said my account was suspended. Please help!

  8. Minda

    Free shipping site of all cheap devils jerseys products,more items bigger discount,hurry
    to collect nfl jersey

  9. best f.

    thank you for this rattling post, I am glad I found this web site on yahoo.

    http://www.strategyboardgames.co.uk/play-friday-video-guide/

  10. dr f.

    not using SSA often they ask us to change the PW also when forgotten the pw OR name SSA does not give you much try out they put you on 24 hours hold out remember we are senior Citizens and our reaction and memory are SHORT?? so suggest you improve and make it easier for us thank you

Comments are closed.