Frauds & Scams, Online Services

Protecting Your Social Security

September 15, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man and woman sitting at table, looking at laptop

At Social Security, protecting your personal information is more important than ever. We continue to evaluate and improve our robust cyber-security program to safeguard your information. The thing is, we can’t do it alone. You can help us secure your information by taking one of these steps:

  • Open your personal my Social Security account. A my Social Security  account is your gateway to many of our online services. Create your account today and take away the risk of someone else trying to create one in your name, even if they obtain your Social Security number.
  • If you already have a my Social Security  account, but haven’t signed in lately, take a moment to log in. We’ll send a one-time security code to your cell phone or to your email address each time you sign in with your username and password. The security code is part of our enhanced security feature to protect your personal information. Keep in mind that your cell phone provider’s text message and data rates may apply. If you suspect identity theft, report it to our Office of the Inspector General. 
  • If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, and you don’t want to do business with us online, you can contact us to 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 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 us and ask us to unblock it after you prove your identity. This resource is available to certain victims of domestic violence or identity theft and those who need extra security.

We will continue to do our part to protect what’s important to you. And we’ll continue to advise you on how to protect yourself.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Lesly F.

    I CAN’T WAIT FOR MY CLAIM FROM SSA DECISION ONLY THING I AM WAITING PATIENTLY.

  2. Bill D.

    When is our Social Security Number coming off our Medicare Card? thanks

    • Anne H.

      I wonder that too. Medicare # is on that card for all to see.

    • AKA

      Never!!

      • carols

        AKA is wrong. New Medicare cards with new numbers (not SS numbers) will be mailed out in 2018. There are SSA public relations media advertisements currently running on television.

        I agree, it’s about time.

        • meziani e.

          no published no beware

    • Victoria E.

      Good question. May have been easy for thir organization. But made us vulnerable to thieves.

  3. Miss D.

    Please send the Credit Card type ID that removes the social secuirty number from our Med Cards its unbelievable that SS# would be listed on Med card with all the ID Theft Please hurry and send those new med cards

  4. Elizabeth A.

    I cant open a account on line so i have to wait a long time before anyone answers the phone

    • marcia

      Mine said the same thing. clicked on the contact us button and it won’t redirect to a correct page.

    • R.F.

      Hi Elizabeth, 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. Thanks!

  5. Ernie J.

    Don’t know my password or information to get into my account.

    • R.F.

      Hello Ernie. 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. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance. Thanks!

      • John C.

        Mr. Fernandez,
        I called the number you have listed on 09/26/2017. I was inquiring about setting up a MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT &
        My Lost Appeals Case. I got nowhere. Actually I was cut off and transfer to the survey questionnaire, before my questions and answers were competed.
        Sir I was told that she couldn’t help me with the My SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT. I had to visit my local office for a code to make a MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT.
        Sir, my Appeals Case has been lost. I was told by a very nice Lady at The Appeals Office in Virginia. Quote “John, it was either not mailed out, or lost in the mail. You need to call your Lawyer and file a New Case, ASAP. You will be paid your back pay for the time it takes you to do this. Until your case is located”. Tammy is the Lady I talked to. Telephone number (730)-605-8000.
        I have a lot I need you to hear..??
        I have earned my benefits. I have been led astray by non caring Attorneys. I have learned to never give up. Most importantly I have proven to Myself, I am a very Patient Man. My DISABILITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED SINCE 2009. NOW September 2017 My Appeals Has Been Lost. My Local Office, where I Filled the Appeal has no Record of Me Filling it at all.
        Tuscaloosa, Alabama The Federal Court House. SSA OFFICE. I filled the Appeals in person,at this office. I was told that I would have confirmation from them in three days and the Appeals Office, within five days.
        I went back to the same office two weeks later to ask why I haven’t gotten any type of Confirmation. I was told,” It hasn’t been mailed. It’s still here. We will mail it now”.
        SIR,
        I would appreciate any help I can get.
        I have acquired a New Attorney.
        Whatley Disability,LLC
        Which should have received my signed paperwork by now. Have not received any confirmation yet.

  6. C A.

    I would recommend an automatic email communication whenever a change, claim, access was granted on each account. It is an easy/cheap way to insure I know when my account has been accessed. My bank does it, my itunes account does it. Seems like my SocSec benefits are at least as important as those? 🙂

    • R.F.

      Thanks for your comment, your feedback is greatly appreciated!

    • SJN

      I like this idea, an email or text message would help stop ID fraud. I would also suggest the email or text contain a secret word, known only to the user, would authenticate the message is actually from the SSA.

    • AC

      BUMP

  7. Jana

    Equifax was hired a year ago to help the SSA manage risk and mitigate fraud for the mySocialSecurity system and have announced they are “completely integrated”. So, does the SSA website have the same security vulnerability that led to the Equifax breach?

    • R.F.

      Hi, Jana. Although we sometimes use Equifax to help verify your identity when setting up a my Social Security account, Social Security never shares Social Security numbers with Equifax. For concerns regarding the Equifax data breach, please contact Equifax directly at 866-447-7559 or http://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com/. Thanks.

  8. Brett

    Protecting cost of living is also important . I cannot see how the Social Security Fund can keep up with cost of living as long as it relies entirely on Treasury bills as an investment portfolio.. The stock market may not be a wise place to invest , but everyone has an IRA or Keogh account as if nothing can happen to them… This is a real paradox to me..Also, it looks like the Congress is keeping a brake on cost of living for Social Security, needlessly . We are trying to drive uphill only to have ourselves braked back . Something is not going right or fair somewhere..

    • connor k.

      help i need to get the voices out of my head xxx-xx-xxxx

  9. John T.

    How can I get SNAP food stamps?
    I had several brain surgery and I’m unable to work.
    What must I do.

    • AKA

      Contact your local public assistance office, not Social Security.

    • R.F.

      Hi John, for information about the food stamps program, also called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you will need to contact your local SNAP office. You will also find a list of States that allow you to apply online. We hope this information helps!

      • katrinesackett

        happy holidays staff remember I got a direct deposit at Friday due to the fact 3rd is on a sunday so I will be watching for them two checks on Friday again happy holidays to you all as staff

    • George A.

      I do t know either but if I find a way I will let you k ow asap….wish I could be more help .,.please let me know if you find a way. .god bless

  10. Fahmi N.

    Thank you. I can’t benefit from these services, because I am not able to establish an account without a US mailing address
    Unfortunately, I will remain outside the loop until comes a time when this problem is resolved.
    Thanks.Fahmi N.

    • Bruce C.

      I have an address in th US and I still can’t establish an account. I only have a debit card, no w2 or other tax doc am outside the USA and trying to establish commu ication via the Porto Rico US Consulate. But the email address provided by their website for the public to contact them gets no rply, error message.

      I do not have a phone plan that affords calling the USA.

      Any suggestions

      • R.F.

        Thank you for contacting us, Bruce. We ask our customers living overseas to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, for assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.

        • Darlynne

          How is PR abroad?

          • R.F.

            Hi Darlynne. If you’re referring to Puerto Rico, you should have access to our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. All of our offices in Puerto Rico remain closed until further notice. Thanks!

      • Isaac S.

        Hi how are you? I recommend Metro cell .A affordable service . As im a customer since 2011. Unlimited texts, and minutes. Unlimited data, no contract. $35 A month. Im on $60 Plan…

      • Kim B.

        I have a friend who recently got his approval for social security disability and received a large lump sum for his back pay in December. His injury was brain trauma and most days seems fine but numbers and the internet etc are hard for him so I was trying to help him out. While doing this i discovered that a family member of his used his direct express debit card info online to make “many” unauthorized purchases. It totals up to about $18,000 in a 4 month time period beginning in Dec and going on until March when I had him cancel his old card and get a new one. They had used his card info to do it all online without his permission or knowledge. As they knew he wouldn’t catch it they didn’t even try to hide it using their own name, accounts and address. But of course I did catch and have gotten proof of the charges plus their admittance of guilt in writting. So my question is: how would I go about recovering this money for him Kimwithout sending the family member to jail? I know he really needs an attorney but doesn’t trust them or anyone but me now. Help please because I sure don’t want to let him down. Thanks

    • Quetshowm J.

      OK

      • katrinesackett

        question for the staff at soc sec office can I get a raise next year from social security I could really use one I thought it would be in or say on Decembers check but my letter from soc sec showing the amount awarded don’t really reflect a amount showing I am really getting a raise from I can tell of hand can some one check into it for me to see if I am going to get a raise in amount thank you Austin texas remember I got a direct deposit the 3rd being on a sunday I guess I should be getting checks on Friday

    • katrinesackett

      holidaysarehereiguessourcheckswillbehereonfridaybecause3rdisonasundayrememberihavedirectdepositatwellsfargobankinaustintexasimostlyusetheoneonairportroadbecauseitsclosertotheaptsiliveinremembertoputitinmydirectdepositsignedkatrineelizabethsackett32463

    • Tim R.

      Credit brainiac works!, When I started with credit brainiac, i had quite a few derogatory accounts. My credit score was really low, I had a 490 Fico score. Now after a few days of working with them, all three of my credit scores have received a huge increase. I can now qualify for just about anything I apply for. They really work fast and efficiently. My experience was exactly as it was outlined by those who recommended the service to me. Make contact with them at creditbrainiac.repair -AT- G- mail -DOT- com. 

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