Protecting Your Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
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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Tags: fraud, my Social Security, my Social Security account, Office of the Inspector General, OIG, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Elena G.
Hello! I need a letter stating that I do not recieve any benefits from social security.
Many thanks,
Elena Giannini
R.F.
Hi Elena, you can request proof that you have never received Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income or proof that you have applied for benefits, by using your my Social Security account.
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Steven J.
I just tried to set-up a “My Social Security Account”. I was told that this could not be done online because I have a freeze on my credit reports. Instead, I will have to travel to a social security office. I think it is outrageous that the SS system depends on information from my credit reports. If the system needs to have additional security questions, it should make them up as does every other account that I have.
R.F.
Hi Steven. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page, for information on this topic. Thanks.
Summer313
It uses information from your credit report like addresses in the past, mortgage info, streets you have lived on in the past. If you cannot answer those questions correctly your account cannot be set up because it appears that someone who is not you is trying to access your information. When you placed a freeze on your account SS cannot put those specific identity question to you because it cannot access the information. It is a very good security measure. The questions are past personal info that generally can only be answered by the right person. It is not what questions you want in case you lose your password or to use a strange computer verification. Take the freeze off your account temporarily to create your myssa account, then put the freeze back on, once you have set up your account it doesn’t ask again for identity verification. Your password and log in name and entering your second layer of protection code will be all your need to login to your account after you’ve created it.
AILIN G.
can you do this for kids to protect their social security numbers??
Clifford B.
I am trying to set up my online account and the system is asking for an activation code but I have not received one. Please advise me how to resolve this matter. Thank you
R.F.
Hi Clifford. You can speak to a Social Security representative for help with a my Social Security account between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Toll-free: 1-800-772-1213 After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” please say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account. Thanks!
elias d.
not even my family is trustworthy
elias d.
they changed my passwords
elias d.
can someone help
elias d.
any email with eliasdiaz or arturo casas or arturo diaz is being used by someone else
elias d.
is it safe five six two eight seven four one five two
elias d.
can somebody make sure mine is safe*** – ** – ****