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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

  1. Ramon T.

    Forgot my username and password

  2. Joann S.

  3. Martha Y.

    Where are the password reset questions? I need to update because I have a new password.

    • Luis A.

      Hi Martha. We are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another problem 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 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Martha. 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 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. https://exerciciosparaperderbarriga.Org/

    Músculo é uma estrutura que consome muita caloria. https://exerciciosparaperderbarriga.org/exercicios-para-perder-barriga/

  5. Bruce F.

    I need to change my password and userID but can’t find the location to do so. Please mail me instructions to: Bruce Full, 4483 E 250th Road, Mendota, IL 61342. thank you.

  6. Joseph F.

    At one point I made a note that my SS Password needed to be changed every six months. Is this correct, or has that changed?

  7. Demetra

    Please don’t worry that you’re going to lose your chance at true love.
    Firstly, you weren’t in a loving relationship to begin with (I mean with S, not with
    A).

  8. Percy G.

    Where is the Reset Code entered? I see no places; just log in, and new account.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Percy, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. It sounds like you were given an activation code. When you go to http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount, select “Finish Setting Up Your Account” where you will enter the information requested, including the account activation code.

      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”.

  9. Donna L.

    I was trying to set up “my account” and apparently two days in a row I answered a security question wrong. It now says it has suspended my online access. What does this mean and can I try again in 24 hours or do I need to speak with someone?
    Thank you in advance for your help.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Donna. We are sorry that you are having trouble creating a my Social Security account. To pass the verification process, we match the personal information you give us with the data we have in our records. Then, we use our Identity Services Provider to further verify your identity. 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.

  10. Turcan A.

    Dear Sir or Madam
    I really appreciate your effort to offer better services on line.
    I would like to bring a very important problem that I have experienced in the past and it is still not solved.
    I am a retired American Citizen living in İstanbul, Turkey.
    I am obliged to send Foreign Enforcement Report to SSA ones every 2 years. This form is supposed to be mailed to my address in İstanbul Turkey.
    Postal services are terrible in Turkey. Most of the non registered mails takes 45 days to reach to final destination and most of the time my mails are lost somewhere on the way. There is no way that I can track these mails. İn the past my pension was suspended because ı had never received the form. I took long time to reinstate my monthly payments. I am sure you can image how difficult it is to survive without pension.
    Suggestion:
    Can we down load form ” Form 7162 Report To The United States Social Security Administration.” or fill and send this form electronically.
    Respectfully Yours

    • Vonda V.

      Hello Turcan, we appreciate your suggestion; however, the SSA-7162 is not currently available online. Our beneficiaries living abroad receive the SSA-7162 annually or biannually depending upon the countries in which they reside.

      We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefit Unit or U.S. embassy in the area for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.

Comments are closed.