Correcting the Record About Social Security Direct Deposit and Telephone Services
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 12, 2025
Recent reports in the media that Social Security plans to eliminate telephone services are inaccurate. SSA is increasing its protection for America’s seniors and other beneficiaries by eliminating the risk of fraud associated with changing bank account information by telephone.
SSA continuously investigates and analyzes potential threats to strengthen and secure our programs and protect people who receive benefits. Approximately 40 percent of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with someone calling SSA to change direct deposit bank information. SSA’s current protocol of simply asking identifying questions by telephone is no longer enough to prevent fraud.
If someone needs to change their bank account information on SSA’s record, they will need to either:
- Use two-factor authentication with SSA’s “my Social Security” service; or
- Visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity.
These methods align with most major banks.
All other SSA telephone services remain unchanged.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: General Information
See CommentsAbout the Author
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Liz
It may be time to consider a “Million Seniors March on the Oval Office”
Starting with Senior Marches on every capitol building! In all States! And then with busses transporting all of them on a predetermined date, to the White House! Demanding a town hall with the tRUMPty DUMpty and JDJerk and Musky! All 3! No guns! No protective Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines! Just them facing all the people they’ve screwed over by giving money to their billionaire buddies!
Amy
I would just like to say that my Direct Express, (SSI account) was fraudulently broken into TWICE without anyone knowing my passwords. Money was stolen, reimbursed, but stolen from me. I almost lost my housing the first time because it took over a month to be reimbursed. I live in low income housing and was given a pay or vacate notice. I had to borrow money from friends over the weekend so I didn’t lose my housing.
My whole point is that fraud IS happening to SSI and if they can prevent it, (how would you do it?) then all the better.
Teresa A.
If your info has not changed do you nEed to do anything
CELENA H.
MY ID HAS BEEN STOLEN AND IM AFRAID THEY’RE USING MY PHONE FOR BANK INFO. THEY’RE IN MY BANK ACCOUNT UNDER MY NAME, BUT DIFFERENT ADDRESS (PO BOX) AND PHONE NUMBER. MY BANK CANT CHECK IT. WHAT CAN I DO? I HAVEN’T RECEIVED ANY STIMULUS CHECKS! IM 78, ALONE, NO ONE TO HELP ME.