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

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Comments

  1. bonn

    Cannot login, account disabled and no humans to contact.

  2. David

    what happens when I never receive the promised pin number via text? I can’t log in any other way and there is no back up option for sending code via email. I am currently on hold for an estimated 1 hour on the 800 number. The only option currently available on the webpage is to have the pin snail mailed to me, however I just moved, which is why i was trying to log in to my account. These extra security features are great when they work, but hell when they don’t

    • V.V.

      Hi David, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties accessing 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.

  3. April c.

    Work
    Jan 600
    Feb 800
    March 750
    April 650
    May 500
    June 850
    July 750
    August 680
    Sept 550
    Oct 700
    Nov 680
    Dec 900
    This a guess of my earnings for 2018

  4. Cassandra G.

    I received a RESET CODE for my Social Security account I cannot even find it. It is very frustrating having to wait to get this via snail mail and now I cannot even find how to even.enter the code which says it will expire by February 12, 2019.

    I would appreciate if you would add RESET CODE on the website in the area “forgot user name or password” I am very computer literate so you might understand how this can be very challenging.

    Thank you,
    Cassandra Gillson

    • K.O.

      Hi Cassandra, thanks for using our blog. 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
      •Visit your local Social Security office and request an activation code.

  5. Judith T.

    What can I do if I can’t remember my username and password, I have looked everywhere and I can’t find where I wrote it down. Is it possible to reset so I can start all over again?

    • V.V.

      Hi Judith: See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to retrieve or change your username and password. If you encounter a problem, 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”.

  6. Bryan E.

    I need to change my mobile phone # and I received a reset code but can’t find where to put in reset code.

    • V.V.

      Hi Bryan, thanks for using our blog. 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.

  7. Linda S.

    i have benn locked out of my social security .com. Can i call to have it reset?

    • V.V.

      Hi Linda. We are sorry that you are having trouble with your my Social Security account. If you are locked out, you can 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”. We hope this information helps.

  8. Richard T.

    I had a call today about 12:00 noon the telephone caller id said Lincoln Heritage Advantage which is one of my life ins. companys I could not understand a womans voice accent too much but it sounded like she wanted me to agree to something over the phone but it sounded fishy so I stopped her and said not interested and she hung up quick.I also have had problems with my computer lately with a company I paid thru pay pal for supposedly was supposed to help me upgrade some of my drivers but I found out that was he was doing was worthless and charged me $42.00 and pay pal would not reimberse me.I have all copys of transactions here and emails besides.all saved here.I keep getting an intrusion through the internet with a blocking to Malwarebytes.

    • V.V.

      Hi Richard, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:

      https://blog.ssa.gov/ig-warns-public-about-fraudulent-phone-calls-threatening-arrest-or-legal-action/

      If you have questions about any communication — email, letter, text or phone call — that claims to be from SSA, 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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

  9. kent j.

    i am no longer receiving tex codes to enter for me to access my ssa account

    • R.F.

      For assistance, please call our dedicated my Social Security-Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 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!

  10. Milton B.

    I can not log on since after numerous attempts I still do not receive the text message. Please Help

    • R.F.

      For assistance with your personal 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!

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