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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heather l.
I hade my appeal court case in sept 20 2017 I haven’t heard nothing yet when should I know
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Heather. The length of time it takes to get a hearing can vary from state to state. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. Please continue working with your local hearing office on specific questions about your case.
Glenn S.
logging in to socialsecurity.gov is easy but how do you log out? I am still logged in.
R.F.
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!
Glenn S.
how do I log out of socialsecurity.gov
I have spent too much time trying to find this and cannot log out. login is easy but how to get.
Janice K.
I need a copy of my disability (6-1-2010) letter stating SSA had approved my disability status. also one stating my income from SSA.
I’m in a nursing home after some extensive surgery without access to my fines and would appreciate your sending 1 copy to my email JanKiper@yahoo.com and another by mail:
Janice Young Kiper
c/o Chalet of Niles
911 S 3rd St
Niles. Mi 491120
269-479-6177
Summer313
Well there, now your private information is available for anyone’s taking. Makes it much easier for a fraudster to hack you! NEVER enter private information on a public forum.
Charlotte A.
Entered my user id and password. Said it couldn’t identify me. Then it said I already had an account and to verify. After that verification it was my 3rd try and then blocked me. So much for this wonderful way to access SS. (NOT!)
Mrs J.
Please call me @ 530-520-8429 or e-mail me @ marylinmatthews.com re my husband’s ss – he has not received the 2018 update info. I got mine a couple of weeks ago… Thank you
R.F.
We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue.
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December. Your husband can request a benefit verification letter online by using a personal “my Social Security account”. Or he can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives area available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email. Thanks.
Jane F.
Ever since the Equifax data breach I have been blocked from accessing mySSA online. I am aware that my information was compromised in that breach but do not understand why I am always getting the “We tried three times to verify your information…” when it never even attempted to do so a single time. I clicked on the Forgot Password and that is the screen it went to immediately. A second attempt brought the personal information screen and after entering all the correct information the same “We tried three times…” error message was displayed. I think there is a serious issue with your supposedly “robust cyber-security program” as it is constantly unable to verify known correct information and blocks access. As my son (a black hat with a BSCIS degree) put it, the fact that it displays a message implying three failed attempts to verify entered info when all that was clicked was “Forgot Password” indicates that the site and servers have likely already been compromised or it is just very poorly coded with a serious glitch.
R.F.
We apologize for any inconveniences, Jane. 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. Thank you for using our online services!
Pamela S.
I tried to access my social security page but it was not accepted-my phone number may be different than when I applied, would this cause the problem?
R.F.
Hello Pamela, if you are having difficulties creating 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!
Kenneth D.
Please block electronic access to my info. Ì mistakenly touched the wrong key.
Mike J.
I tried to sign up for MySocialSecurity account yesterday. After filling the required info I came to a page that ask questions about my credit. The answers I had to choose from were not correct and that is what I answered. When I submitted the form it said my credit was locked. What is going on?
R.F.
Thank you for using our online services, Mike! 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.
Summer313
Actually there is only one correct answer to each question. Either it is an address you used any time in the pasts, who you once had a mortgage from, and questions such as that. That information comes directly from your credit report who also has the information listed from the past about you. You need to select the correct answer, if none are correct you select “none of these”. If you fail to identify the correct answer, you will be blocked as the program will determine fraud.