New Online Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
We’ve added an extra layer of security for our customers when they interact with us online. Now, my Social Security account holders are required to use their cell phone — in addition to their username and password — as another authentication factor during online registration and every sign in. An authentication factor is information used to determine if someone is who they claim to be.
This extra layer of security is called “multifactor authentication” and complies with an executive order requiring federal agencies to provide more secure authentication for their online services. Any agency that provides online access to a customer’s personal information must now use multifactor authentication.
Since my Social Security became available in May 2012, almost 26 million people have created an account. We have always offered multifactor authentication, but only for customers who opted for extra security. For your protection, we now require multifactor authentication for all my Social Security users. To register and sign in, you must now enter a security code that we will send to your cell phone. Your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply.
Our research shows that an overwhelming majority of American adults have cell phones and use them for texting. Because of technical and resource constraints, we are not currently able to offer alternative methods of satisfying this security requirement. However, we may consider adding more options in the future. We appreciate your patience as we work continuously to secure your online information.
We’re committed to using the best technologies and standards available to protect our customers’ data. Multifactor authentication is just one of the ways we’re ensuring the safety and security of the resources entrusted to us. Visit my Social Security to learn more about this helpful suite of online services, including additional details about our latest security measures.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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tony
The lobbyist controls Congress. The cell phone companies have invested a lot of money. This is their payoff.
Look at how much Hillary Clinton’s campaign got from pharmaceutical companies. Congress didn’t support funding to find a cure for the ZIKA virus. Now the ZIKA virus mysteriously made it’s way to the US.
These lobbyist have a plan for everything.
They are borrowing our Social Security money to give to the pork barrel spending and they can’t even give us a COLA raise.
Don
What a ridiculous idea.
Most seniors either don’t have a smart phone
or any cell phone.
My cell phone charges units for each text received.
This means I get charged each time I access the web site. Why did they not do more research ?
Double authentication can
be accomplished in better ways.
Please change this policy.
Jane
I think this is a terrible idea!!! I don’t have a cell phone nor do I care to incur the expense of having one. You want people to use the online site you always tout that it is faster and always accessible. Now you put up a barrier to using the site in the form of an additional expense for those who cannot afford a smart phone. So now when I have a question I guess I will just have to call and wait on hold for hours. Thanks a lot for nothing.
DIANE S.
IF YOU WANT TO BE HELPFUL HAVE CONGRESS START RETURNING THE SS MONEY THEY TOOK FOR THEIR PORK BARREL PROJECTS. SS IS NOT PART OF THE FED. BUDGET. IT IS SELF-SUPPORTING. AND IS CONGRESS WOULD PAY BACK WHAT THEY STOLE FROM SENIORS….WOULD BE FUNDED FOR DECADES AND DECADES. DO SOMETHING INTELLIGENT FOR SENIORS…DON’T JUST MAKE OUR LIVES MORE CLUMSY AND DIFFICULT. IF INTERESTED SEE AL GORE ON LOCK BOX FOR SS $$$$$.
DIANE S.
I HATE YOUR NEW FEATURE.
IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST PEOPLE UNABLE TO AFFORD CELL PHONE
AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT TECH. CAPABLE
Ed M.
SSA has been making our lives miserable for a long time by requiring us to change passwords at frequent intervals. Now this… I find it humorous that my credit union requires the same account identifier and 8 digit password I have used for the past 14 years and it has never been hacked.
I guess SSA will just insist on having its way and being the most difficult to deal with entity on the web. It will still be hacked but it will not be through any individual’s account. The hackers will come in a back-door and steal everyone’s information while we are all trying to figure out how to log in.
This would be funny if it weren’t so real.
Nguyen
What makes you think that most seniors text?
Do you really think that Social Security pays enough for many senior citizens to even AFFORD a smart phone? Did you even take into account the fact that seniors have many eye problems which preclude them from texting even if they have a phone with that capacity?
What happens to people residing outside the country? Oh, they are to go to their Embassy or Consulate? Have you thought of just how far that might be? Or just how long to get an appointment there?
Phone your social security office? The International Operations office has a phone number that has a message ‘if you need us to call you back, please leave your phone number”…….well, I have left 23 such messages in the last 31 days with NO CALLBACK. So, just how realistic is this?
I recommend that everyone who is commenting on this page write and or call their congressmen and Senators and let them know of this new, ridiculous directive. Seniors VOTE……consistently VOTE (more that any other demographic). Perhaps they (our representatives) will at least be interested in the fact that we can show our displeasure with our withholding of that vote they count on!
R.F.
We apologize for the inconvenience. We have referred your complaint to our Office of International Operations staff to follow up and to take corrective action as necessary. We appreciate your feedback, and thank you for bringing this to our attention.
David S.
What a STUPID move ! (normal). Maybe your research was flawed in that most adults have cell phones and text! I am sure that most retired seniors on social security don;t text ! It is hard enough for most of us to use a computer at all , now this ! Maybe3 you are just trying to eliminate a large number of us from getting in contact with you ! Thanks for the added time and expense this will cost me! Just what we need, more stress in our lives !!!
R.F.
We encourage our customers who will not be able to access their personal my Social Security account without a cell phone to visit our website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact to learn about other ways to contact us to access their benefits information.
sam
I AGREE WITH THE 99% THAT THIS US A STUPID, IRRESPONSIBLE, BURDEN ON MOST OF US. CHANGE IT NOW !!!!!
Joy A.
I am not saying I agree with with this by any means,I do agree cell phones are expensive. People work their whole life and can’t even draw enough to to live on . There are places where there give cell phones to people. Call your local Medicaid, Medicare .