Frauds & Scams

New Online Security

August 3, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

MFAWe’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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

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  2. Jack S.

    This was a HORRIBLE idea. I very seldom use a cell phone and may not even have it with me when I need to log in. I think this should be OPTIONAL – let the people who are that concerned use this method and leave the rest of us alone.

    Also, TOO MANY PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE CELL PHONES OR CAN TEXT, or it costs money to text. This is VERY BURDENSOME and is not necessary.

    I can see that I will not be using this account very much and will be relying on the telephone WAY more often — prepare to hire lots of new staff for those like me.
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  4. TERESA

    Below is the ” New , improved and Not Hacked” email (as far as I know ) ,just set up new ,,,you emailed my ” password codes ‘ to the “HACKED EMAIL’ !!!!! Im sure my email address will not be published ” as it says above ! lol WHAT A JOKE !! GO AHEAD ,,PUBLISH IT ,,IT WILL BE EVENTUALLY ,,,ALREADY IS! TERIG2006@yahoo.com ,is the hacked one ,,oh well im done doing anything on line ever again,,,not that I care about being hacked i just wasted a whole lot of my valuable time ” playing these mind games ” with our gov and all its affiliations! shame on you all

  5. TERESA

    My old email account was just hacked this past wknd ,,yahoo ‘chinese’ person said they could get it back if I pay them $50.00 ! which also proceeded him telling me it was hacked by a ‘foreigner’ or foreign country !! lol,,,,Had that acct for 12 yrs,,they requested last wk to set new passwords ! HA ,,NOT HACKED IT IS YAHOO SELLING OUR ACCOUNTS BACK TO THEM EVERY BODY ,GOOGLE,FACEBOOK ALL KNOW MY YAHOO PASSWORDS,,,SICK TO DEATH OF ALL THIS LYING BULL CRAP TO CONSUMERS ,,,CHINA NOT THE ONLY ONE HACKING ,,ITS OUR OWN GOV ! never worried about it and when i started to is when I got ‘taken’ by Yahoo ! ,,,NOW I WENT IN TO MY SSI ACCOUNT ,,FORGOT PASSWORD , SD ” MY SECURITY QUEStions ANSWERS WERE WRONG !! I know what my first car was, mothers maiden name !! so then they proceeded to send a new password to my ” hacked yahoo email ” without letting me change it even with my name address, phone, soc security ! so now the hackers have it as well,,,sickening what a farce ,,I found out i was geting disability and next thing i knew i had all these emails wanting me to sign up for college, bank accounts,,my money ! a state lawyer advisedd me that my personal info (ssi ) all of ours in fact IS sold to outside contractors ? somebody ,,,but its true,,,there is no longer such a thing as a ” Secured Account ‘ in any institution, computers , phones,,,,yet they put consumers through hell making us crazy to have to remember dozens of passwords ! that makes me madder than anything,,such mental abuse !!! SO LONG TO PRIVACY AMERICA ,,SOMEONE ALWAYS BE LURKING TO TAKE TAKE TAKE FROM YOU AND ME !

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  8. Vicki S.

    I just need my password reset.
    I tried several times.
    I called the 1-800 number. Password help is not on the robot-controlled help desk clerk.
    I was told to wait 55 minutes.
    I received two emails, but the passwords DO NOT work.
    How can a person get password help without waiting one hour?

    • R.F.

      Hi Vicky. We are sorry for the long wait, and the difficulties you’re having to reset your password. If you are having difficulties with your personal my Social Security account, please call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account, and speak wit one of our representatives. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance. Thanks.

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