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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AKA
The article was about setting up an account which supposedly would help to protect your ID. In looking at all the complaints it seems as if the web site works about as well as Obamacare.
Larry E.
I was logged into my SS account and it required me to change my password. I did but then it told me I had to reenter it but it would not recognize it. I was stuck in a loop and it wouldn’t let me out so I exited it. How do I fix it so I can get into my account?
joe d.
when asked for a new password do as instructed which includes reentering it exactly as the first one, if you dont, then you have to put in the new password inthe top box as well as the comfirmation box.try it
Cindy G.
How do we know this isn’t a scam? I don’t trust things like this? I think everyone should check with SS on the # that is in the phone book. SS usuallly sends things in the mail not on email where if it isn’t a scam it could get picked up from someone not with SS.
R.F.
We apologize for the inconvenience Larry. 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!
Patience A.
Hello. I am deaf my name is patience Anderson my date is. October 25 1968 Please. Set up direct deposit. My account checking XXXX14 and Routing number XXXX13
A.C.
Hi, Patience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you can create a mySocialSecurity account to start or change Direct Deposit online. You also can sign up at your bank, credit union, or savings and loan.
If you receive SSI benefits, and want to establish or update direct deposit information, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday-Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or you can contact your local office. We hope this helps.
Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media.
Steven H.
How can I be allowed to create an account on line on my social security Web it asked for last 8 credit card numbers and I put in my debit card now I can’t finish setting up new account
R.F.
Hi Steven. When creating an account, you are only required to provide the last eight digits of your credit card number when you select the extra security option. 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. Also, you can contact your local Social Security office directly and explain your situation. Thanks!
ThinkB4Utype
Patience, since anyone in the world can read this, why did you publish your personal information publicly for everybody to see? Not to be rude, but I’m guessing you have been a victim of identity theft before?
Summer313
Like your screen name! ThinkB4Utype
Advice that could protect everyone if they followed it!
Maxanne
I have tried twice to sign up for the online Social Security account and it rejects me. The questions are all screwed up. A few of them don’t apply to me at all. So frustrating. Where do they come up with these questions? I tried calling the published SS phone number and the recording said it was going to be a 1 HOUR and 15 minute wait!! What do people on cell phones do when the battery dies? I clicked on the Office Locator button and got an error screen when I entered my zip code. Where do I turn next? So frustrating and time wasted. I have to be enrolled in Medicare within the next 2 months and I can see it’s going to be a serious project……
AKA
If you get SS you are automatically enrolled in Medicare @ 65. You may be stressing out for nothing.
Maxanne
What? It says you can officially start SS @ 66. Not @ 65 when you officially start Medicare. And I don’t plan to start SS until 70 anyway. There’s nothing automatic about enrolling in Medicare. It has to be done personally and within the official time period. Or there’s a PENALTY. Wish the public could stick penalties on the mindless system when it screws up.
R.F.
See our Retirement Planner: Applying for Medicare Only, for more information.
Wanda s.
How do we get Medicare cards.
R.F.
Hi, Wanda. If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can ask for a replacement by using your online my Social Security account.
R.F.
We apologize for the inconvenience, Maxanne. If you are having difficulties creating your personal my Social Security account, please call 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk”, our agents will assist you and provide further guidance. To learn more about how to sign up just for Medicare, visit our Retirement Planner: Applying for Medicare Only web page. Thanks!
connor k.
help i need to get the voices out of my head xxx-xx-xxxx were do i get medicare cards
martin e.
tryiing to reestablish access to my sie
R.F.
Hello Martin. 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. Thanks!
Jackie B.
Do I have to go in person to SSI office to unblock the electronic access I put on thru the internet?
AKA
Wouldn’t hurt, take ID with you.
R.F.
Hi Jackie, 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. Our representatives will provide further guidance and let you know if you are required to visit your local Social Security office. Thanks!
George
For those of us that established Fraud Alerts on our credit reports because we got screwed by Equifax losing our data, don’t bother trying to open a online account with Social Security because the fraud alert prevents you from opening a Social Security online access account. Why aren’t the Equifax executives in jail for selling their stock when they found out they lost all of our data?
R.F.
Thank you for your comment George. Please see our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page for more information on this topic.
Dave
Thanks for posting this. I have a freeze and was trying to use MySS to do some retirement planning but couldn’t get in even with all the right info. I was worried someone stole my ID and created an account with my ID.
VT
I have the same issue. My wallet was stolen a couple of years ago, and every so often, something weird happens. I am paranoid that this is another breech of my financial data.
VT
I think you just answered my question. I keep getting all of my financial information rejected.
Stephen A.
It’s sad that we put our trust in companies like Equifax and it seems like no one is accountable.
Monica F.
I had a problem with my personal information like my phone number to contact me and called the 800 number so they can fix this problem and I had a phone appointment today September 15, 2017 and because no one fixed my problem I missed my phone appointment. I have called to let them know but still haven’t got another phone call?????
R.F.
Hi Monica, we are sorry to hear that you are having difficulty reaching a representative by phone. Remember, if you get Social Security benefits, you can change your address and phone number online, by using a my Social Security account. If you do not receive Social Security benefits, SSI or Medicare, you do not need to change your address with us. Thanks!
Carol H.
Cell phones don’t work at my home. For email I have to log out of your site logon to my email then logout of my email and log back on to your site.
Why not make a landline call to my home phone as the second way to identify?
Joe
Carol. What web browser are you using?
I use FireFox and can have multiple tabs open all the time. I can login to SSA, login to view my email, banking accounts etc. all without logging out of other sites. Edge and Chrome also allow multiple tabs to be open also. I hope this will help you.
darlene h.
is there a cap on what a person and or a couple can recieve. not ssi , social security
AKA
In theory yes, pay in the maximum forever and delay taking payment. results in the highest possible payment.