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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Nicholaus R.
Looking for my status of my claim having lots of trouble going crazy they have me a confirmation numbed 73848199plz c
Someone help me thank you Lots
R.F.
Hello Nicholaus. This online service allows you to check the status of your completed application. Please allow 5 days from the date you originally filed your application before you use this service.
If you are experiencing a problem with your my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”.
If you are unable to open a my Social Security account, you can still call 1-800-772-1213 to check your claim status by using our automated system using the confirmation number you received when you filed your claim. We hope this helps.
george j.
how do I up-date residence address for medicare summary notices
R.F.
If you get Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by using a personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Evelyn M.
I tried to log in tonight and i received a message saying i was locked out because I had tried 3 times and to try again in 24 hours. I tried one time and got this message. I haven’t logged in since July of 2015 so I am thinking that might be the reason why I got the message. Do I need to reset my password ? I saw that screen but wasn’t to sure about having to put my ss number and date on birth on it.
R.F.
Hello Evelyn, long periods of inactivity may require you to have to contact us for assistance. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Dwight B.
I have forgotten my username and password to get back into my account. If you can help it would be appreciated my address is 7077 NC 242 hwy s Dunn, NC 28334
R.F.
Hi Dwight, if you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
Please be cautious about posting personal information on any social media channels. Thanks!
Dwight B.
I have forgotten my username and password to get back into my account. If you can help it would be appreciated
Annalee C.
I tried to go in to my account – requested the security acct no which was emailed to me but I still could not get into the account. When I sign in the user name, password it then takes me to request a secondary account number … but I already received it. How do I access my account
R.F.
Hello Annalee, if you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
C.F. G.
I just received a recorded call suggesting something about social security fraud and asking me to return a call to 281 617-2523 in Houston. I am aware that this is a scam.
J.Y.
Thanks for your question. We do not usually make random calls requesting your personal information, such as address, bank account or any other private information. If someone calls you saying that they are from Social Security, do not give them your personal information. Instead, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether we really need any information from you. To find your local office, check out: http://ow.ly/RKT130ckvn7. Hope this helps.
R.F.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy (TTY number at 1-800-325-0778). Thanks.
C.F. G.
I just received a recorded call suggesting something about social security fraud and asking me to return a call to 281 617-2523 in Houston. I am aware that this is a scam. My email is : cfgrevstad@gmail.comC.F.
Daniele M.
I need to change my bank
R.F.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic.
Duane E.
If s.s. is a independant angency,how can Congress take the interest from our deposits since 1939,and not repay it? and still ask for more by taxing our benefits.and yet when some of us really need help you refuse to stand-up to your mission. thank you for your ear.