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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , , , , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Wm W.

    He should be fired for never building a defense alone. Can Falcon fans be expected to put up with mediocrity forever?

    https://www.cbd-king.net/publisher/peak-distributors-llc

  2. Joann B.

    I asked a question, “why is my check amount less in 2018 than 2017”? I gave the amounts, etc. The site asked for a $5.00 “good faith deposit and additional a t. Of $33.00 after their answer. iS THIS A HOAX? Awaiting your reply, Joann Ovack.

    • Joann B.

      I asked a question, “why my check amount less in 2018 than 2017”? I gave the amounts, etc. T site asked for a $5.00 “good faith deposit” and an additional amount of $33.00 after their answer. IS THIS A HOAX?

      Awaiting your reply,
      Joann Booth Ovack

      • R.F.

        Please be alert, Joann. Keep in mind that most of our services are provided free of charge. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the company. Avoid providing personal information unless you are certain of a person’s authority to have the information.
        Representatives at our toll free number 1-800-772-1213, are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!

  3. Sheila F.

    Hi there Sheila Farris will like to know where she’s sending it with receiving benefits how soon will I receive it my email is Miss Sheila theris. Com Gmail Sheila Farris Gmail Wait a Minute message Sheila Farris Gmail dot-com

    • R.F.

      Hi Sheila. We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email.
      You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, for assistance in your case. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day, or later in the week. Thanks!

  4. Abeer

    I have baby 5 months old I wearing to send ssc but I never get anything so I could apply for ssc by online

    Second question
    My husband change his name and ssc it too old he want upgrade so I could apply for the both by online
    Best regards

  5. Eddie E.

    how do I cancel the withholding to the IRS

  6. Kelly S.

    Hi! I’m Kelly Sparks. I live in Johnson City, Tennessee. My civic duty is to tell all the services about a person who changed his name and forged fake documents. We know a man who has lived in Erwin, Tennessee, for more than a year, initially called himself Walter Shkrobut, born on May 24, 1960 In Ukraine. He lived in Chicago, Illinois, until 2012. He then lived at Union Pier, Michigan, and in 2016, he came to Erwin, Tennessee. He settled in a suspicious face of Deena Armstrong. I know that she had problems with alcohol and drugs. Recently met them at Johnson City. They made a loan in a bank. This was told to me by a relative of Deena Armstrong, who came from Erwin. His name is William Valdez. He told that Walter Shkrobut had problems obtaining US citizenship, driver’s license and he had no money. Problems with Walter’s documents began because he had 9 arrests in Chicago because of the beating of women and the image of a policeman. Not finding a way to get credit and documents, Walter Shkrobut fake documents with Deena Armstrong and her cousin William Valdez. He made changes to the name and fingerprints of the computer system, he told me about this, and I was able to get from the child a photo of Walter Shkrobut real documents – this is an old Green Card and a new one with fingerprints. William Valdez did not name his fake name Walter, the only thing he said was picking and adding letters. It may be like Walter Hkrobut, or Walter Chkrobout. Its true SSN ***-**-****. But I suspect that Walter Shkrobut uses someone else’s stolen SSN. I send you a copy of his Green Card. I hope my letter will save an innocent person whose name and social number is used by the nonsense person Walter Shkrobut to receive loans and social benefits.

  7. Grace P.

    Received my Social Security Retirement Benefit today.
    Why was only $384.00 Deposited in my account?
    I am supposed to get $786.00 which includes the 2.0% increase. I received my statement for 2018 in 2017 and it states on their that I will receive a 2.0% increase and my 2018 benefit amount will be $786.00 per month.
    What is going on?
    Why can’t I talk to a person when I call the toll free national number? Why do I get only a recording and then it hangs up? What is Social Security Administrations problem?
    Why are you denying people their benefit amount?
    Why don’t taxpayers have accessibility to call and/or E-mail Social Security Administration?
    Where is this open government? All I see is non-open government and more like closed off government!

    Reply.

    Thank you.

  8. Ronald P.

    My wife and I did not receive our ss benefits letter for 2018

    • J.Y.

      Hi! If you are referring to a benefit verification letter, we have good news! You can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter using my Social Security online. To get your verification letter, visit: http://ssa.gov/myaccount/, to set up a my Social Security account. Thanks!

  9. Terry

    Can you keep personal information private from other people putting false information in other people.

  10. Kathryn R.

    I received my Social Security statement and I didnt know I was not taking out taxes from my check. I tried to log in to my account but was unable. Its been a long time since I have accessed my account. My password would not let me get passed the login. Can I reset my user ID and password. My email is KathyRFielder@aol.com or my phone # is 903-880-5353

    • R.F.

      Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. 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.
      Also, visit our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits.
      Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email. Thanks!

Comments are closed.