Protecting Your Identity is Important to Us
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: October 19, 2021
We’re committed to protecting your identity. It’s an unfortunate reality that guarding against the release of your personal information sometimes becomes a necessity. We can help.
In certain instances – like for victims of domestic violence – you may want to block access to your electronic Social Security record. You can request a block by calling us toll-free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.
Once you request it, we’ll block any automated telephone and electronic access to your Social Security record. No one, including you, will be able to see or change your personal information on our website or through our automated telephone service. If you change your mind in the future, you can call us and ask us to unblock it after you prove your identity.
In most cases, your Social Security number stays the same for your lifetime. When you show evidence of being harassed, abused, or your life is endangered, we can assign you a new one.
For more information, please read our publication, New Social Security Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims. You can also check out our post, 10 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information for ways to help us safeguard your information.
Please share this information with your family and friends – and post it on social media.
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Tags: fraud, online services, scams
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Kate K.
Yes, in these days, protecting your Identity is very important. Data become so powerful now.
Thats why most of the website use encrypted SSL.
Lynn O.
I filed for my social security on Nov. 3rd and I received a generic email with NO government symbols on it from DoNotReply@ssa.gov asking me to call before Dec. 14th. The number they asked me to call was 866-431-3875 Ext 32432. How do I know that this is not a scam? I can’t find a place to look up numbers nor can I find out if you send generic looking emails asking people to call.
Vonda
Hi Lynn, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone if they have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. To see if Social Security did send that email, you would need to call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
Susan L.
Need lost social security card
Vonda
Hi Susan, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to apply for a replacement Social Security card. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. If you don’t know your Social Security number, you can leave that spot blank on the application. Our Social Security and Coronavirus web page, under “Social Security Numbers and Cards” heading, provides details on the documents you need to mail in with your Social Security card application to get a replacement card. We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options. We hope this helps!
Vonda
Hi Lynn, thanks for checking in with us. Generally, we will only contact someone if they have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. To see if Social Security did send that email, you would need to call your local office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
David T.
My 96 yr. old mother lives with my brother in a different state. I have power of attorney for her. How can I become a viable person to manage her SS account?
Vonda
Hi David, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Because of privacy and security concerns, you will not be able to conduct Social Security business on behalf of your mother unless you are her representative payee. Having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or having a joint bank account with your mother does not authorize you to access information on her Social Security record. If your mother does not have a representative payee and she is not capable of managing and directing her Social Security benefits, someone should consider applying to be her payee. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” or visit our Representative Payee webpage.
If you want to apply to be your mother’s representative payee, you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
susan
The importance of security is going to be strict nowadays and it’s really necessary for better living. I keep purchasing things online from Inthemarket but never got charged for unethical things or any misuse and that is just because of the best security so these security things play a vital role.
Carrie
Thank you for this information. It is very helpful, and I hope to see more about this in the future.
Amu
Great article, and it’s good to see how progressive institutions are in caring also for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. More could also be done digitally in making it easier for the visually impaired to make contact listen to audio versions of the website, so that they too have access to this information.
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Sohbet
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Pattijean S.
My elderly Aunt received a letter purportedly from SSA saying they had been overpaying her a little each month since 2008. The letter listed each of the dates and amounts of each over payment. The total amount was $2289. It also stated she needed to repay the money within 30 days or they would begin withholding money from her SS checks in Dec 2021. How can I find out if the letter is a fraudulent scam being perpetrated on an elderly SS recipient?
Vonda
Hi Pattijean, thanks for reaching out. To see if Social Security sent the letter, your aunt would need to call her local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
DEE
So exactly what do you want me to do and what am I suppose to do in brief summary please.
Janet
who do I contact to get a new stimulis debit card a new as I have been trying for 6 months and explain that I accidently shredded it and when I try to get in touch either by comp or phone I am informed that they have no record of me.. NO JOKE
Ann C.
Hi, Janet. Please visit the IRS website for all your Economic Income Payment-related questions. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!