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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Ramona O.
I wish there was an option to skip this second verification process say, at your home computer which is the only device you use to login to My Social Security. While I appreciate having the extra layer of security, it is cumbersome to go find my phone or wait to check my email just so I can see my monthly statement.
colleen e.
I tried to create an account yesterday. I was upset to see I had to pick a response to a car loan, the amount of car loan, etc. I immediately thought fraud. But my son-in-law later explained companies do this for security reasons.
I was also kicked out of the creation of my social security account. I do not know why that happened.
So I will try again another time.
Gary M.
I don’t remember my user name or password. Can you help with that?
Ray F.
Hello Gary. For assistance with your my Social Security account, please call our “my Social Security-Hot Line” at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”. Or contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Lisa M.
Hello, having problems logging in by either creating a new account or otherwise please contact me at your earliest convenience. I need to get a print out with the information on my work for the last ten years. I have to complete a background check for Clark County, NV. I was wondering how much it is too. I actually don’t believe I have an account so can you please help me. Thank you for your time.
Ray F.
Hello Lisa. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
Certified yearly earnings totals or an itemized earnings statement (certified or non-certified) can be obtained by completing the Request for Social Security Earnings Information (Form SSA-7050). You must pay us a fee, in advance, to get detailed or itemized earnings information for purposes not directly related to administering Social Security programs. If you do not require certification or an itemized earnings statement, you can get your personal Social Security Statement online by using your my Social Security account, or by contacting your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Rochelle
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been doing a little homework on this.
And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this issue here on your blog.post25033
Diane S.
I tried to login in today, May 13, 2018 and was told that I could not login despite three attempts. I have not attempted in months. I wanted to apply for the new S.S. card. Is my account being compromised as this was not of my doing.
Ray F.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience, Diane. If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Joyce A.
I was given a one-time account upgrade code to add extra security. I tried and failed. Apparently it expired and I do not have a computer at home. I go to the library and I would like this done as soon as possible.
Ray F.
Hello Joyce, if you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Cassie
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Regina S.
I am concerned someone removed papers that have my and my husband’s
Social Security Numbers. What can we do?
Ray F.
Hi Regina, see “What should I do if I think someone is using my Social Security number?“. Thanks!
Sara L.
When I initially tried to set up an account (Feb 2018) I asked for 2nd level of identification. The site asked yes/no questions about credit history, none of which were (yes). Proceeded to tell me none of the answers (No) were correct and locked me out for 24 hrs. Most frustrating. I know my credit hx and was wondering are those type of questions still what are asked??