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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John M.
Give us a break…Whose stupid idea was this?
Mary
I have a cell phone, but no texting plan. In my home, where I would be checking my account on my home computer, I cannot receive cell service. This new policy is ridiculous, especially since my social security annual statement is no longer mailed to me.
Robert H.
There has to be a better way! This is just not feasible for everyone. Another stupid bureaucratic idea. Remember we are old and don’t even understand this “extra layer of security”. Think people think!
Omar M.
You are asking too much if you want some SSA bureaucrat to think!
Deb
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!
Anne
When my government employment records were hacked last year, I was provided a free service to monitor my credit reports. It requires a special code that is sent to my email address. I have 10 minutes in which to retrieve and use the code. This system works and does not require me to have to purchase a cell phone and cell phone service for which I do not have the money on the little bit of Social Security that I receive with no other income. This new idea is a horrible idea for senior citizens who have enough to deal with without being prevented from online access to mySocialSecurity. Please rethink this.
John C.
I have my own executive order…I will not give the government my cell phone number. Sorry, the government has proven over and over again they are not responsible enough to entrust this information nor do I trust the government with future uses of said information. Sorry but you’ll have to figure out another way to make the information more secure…maybe there’s an unused email server sitting in a basement somewhere that’s secure enough to house national security interests. That would be more convenient.
Charles O.
I am 67 years old and do not own a cell phone. I haven’t had the need for one in any of those 67 years. I have a home phone that I use maybe 20 times a year to make calls, mostly it is just there to be able to get internet service. I cannot justify the expense of a cell phone with text capability just to be able to use the Social Security website. With this new requirement I will now have to travel to the nearest Social Security Office to conduct any business. As far as I am concerned they may as well shut down the Social Security Website to save some taxpayer dollars as the site is now completely useless to me and many more others in the same situation.
R.F.
Thanks for your comment Mr. Olsen. 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.
Pauline D.
Mr. Fernandez: Please stop providing a web page link “to learn about other ways to contact us.” The statement is disingenuous, at the very least, and misleading, as none of the choices (calling to speak to a rep, sending an email or a letter or visiting an office) are acceptable alternatives to being locked out of one’s account.
Die A.
I wonder if “Ray Fernandez” is just a robot that sends the standard response #57 to all questions regarding the new texting requirement.
As to the “other ways of contacting”, for most of us they are so time-consuming or ineffective that I begin to wonder: perhaps the SSA staff think that if they just hold us off long enough, we non-texting-geezers will die off — problem solved!
..
Hello Die Alte Geiser, you’ll be glad to know that we removed the requirement to use a cell phone to access your mySocialSecurity account. While it’s not mandatory, we encourage those of you who have a text capable cell phone to take advantage of this optional extra security, which has always been available. We continue to pursue more options beyond cell phone texting. We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.
Ken
Dumb move Social Security Administration.Whoever came up with this texting a code to a cellphone idea should be fired.
Robert H.
Agree!!
Omar M.
Agree, indeed!! How stupid can some bureaucrats in their ivory towers can be?
Anne M.
Stupid idea. Now you have disenfranchised probably 50% of seniors on social security. My husband and I both have cellphones but service does not work in our area. Really, this move should be illegal. I am calling my congresswomen to complain.
Patrick E.
If you have a look at Executive Order 13681 that Ray Fernandez, Public Affairs Specialist refers to, you may notice that the order does not say to eliminate the ability of the agencies clients access to their accounts but to make them secure. Come on SS fix this. And, Ray kick these blogs up to those in charge. There is nothing right about not allowing people access to their account.