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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crystal g.
someone has made a online account in my name that I did not do.
V.V.
Crystal, thank you for contacting us. If someone has created a fraudulent account using your information, you need to contact Social Security right away by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
You can choose to block electronic access to your Social Security record. When you do this, no one, including you, will be able to see or change your personal information on the Internet or through our automated telephone service. If you block access to your record and then change your mind in the future, you can contact Social Security and ask us to unblock it.
patricia a.
you ask for sign up code but i never got one
Sylvia N.
How do we get our access code?
R.F.
Hello Sylvia. If you 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!
Cheyenne A.
I have tried to make a my social account and it tells me I can’t make a account with my social security number
V.V.
Hi Cheyenne, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties creating your my Social Security account. For assistance with your 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.
Keith H.
At 3:28PM , Wednesday, October 17, 2018, I received a phone call at home from (718) 557-3500.
The number appeared on my caller I.D. as “U.S. Government”.
The female on the line stated that she was from S.S.I. and was following up on my application for benefits which I had filed for recently.
She asked for and I provided ALL of the information she requested!!!
ALL pedigree information, mother’s maiden name, last four digits of my ss#, etc.
I felt skeptical after the conversation but I fear it’s too late.
I checked the number and discovered it is A SCAM !!!
What are my options ?
R.F.
Hello Keith. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Citizens may -also- report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
If you think someone is using your Social Security number, there are several actions you can take. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!
Anne S.
I went to the Soc Sec office and told them I had forgotten my PW for my online account. They gave me a reset code and user name but no PW. When I went online it asked for a PW that I didn’t have so I entered the reset code instead and not I am locked out of my account. I don’t understand how I can retrieve and/or change my PW since I am locked out of my account. Please help.
A.C.
Hi, Anne. We are sorry you’re having difficulty with your personal my Social Security account. For assistance, please call 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions to read information on to reset your password. We hope this helps!
Julie M.
I was trying to improve my credit report myself, my credit score was 502 then dropped to a 472 disputing two credit cards and I could not get approved for a loan, a car and a house…NOTHING! It was draining in every aspect of my life because I got kids I have to protect their future. A few month ago, was searching around the internet and came across a credit expert linked with the credit bureaus who helped me increase my credit scores now i got 775. He told me it would take a few weeks to get it done approximately a month and kept to his word. Now I can apply for just about anything I can’t thank him enough and i knew i owe him this, get in touch with him today and make a bright future tomorrow. (CYBERWIPE@TECHIE.COM, (413)489-7711)
Mohammad A.
The mail I received there is no “reset code” included in that letter. Is it my eyes could not see the code or how it is written?
V.V.
Mohammad, thank you for your question. Typically one receives an activation code when they visit their local office and request assistance with their my Social Security account. A representative in the office will verify your identity and issue you a letter containing an activation code. You can then use the activation code to complete the creation of your my Social Security account.
For assistance with your 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.
Patricia E.
I’m trying to get someone’s information to report to police and what she is doing should stop, I know her date of birth name and maybe her number unless she had it changed until she got home, but we don’t know why she’s doing this to us for some reasons. It’s probably about money again. We live in Shawnee. Need to tell police
Brittney S.
I don’t have the same email anymore or phone number so it won’t let me create a new account an I don’t have any of the old information please help me
V.V.
Hi Brittney. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your my Social Security account. For assistance with your 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.