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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Andrea
My information was shown to be compromised during the Equifax breach. I froze my credit through all three credit bureaus. Now, I cannot open a “My Social Security” account. Is there a way that I can still open an online account? Do I need to call or go into my local Social Security office?
R.F.
Hi Andrea! Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks.
vonnie
Can’t set up MY Social Security. My card says First initial, middle name, last name (e.g. M Jane Doe) Set up page won’t take that. Help??????? Thanks in advance.
R.F.
Hello Vonnie. For assistance 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.
H M.
Hello,
Do you have to be a certain age or receiving / getting any kind of Social Secuity or Medicare benefits to set up a social security account online ?
Who is allowed and what age is eligible to set up ” My Social Security Account ” I’m in my late 50’s just reading this information and wondering what / when to set one up? Thank you
A.C.
Hi. Great questions! To be eligible for a mySocialSecurity account, you must be age 18 or older, have a valid email address and a U.S. mailing address. Visit our mySocialSecurity page to find all of the services available and how to set up an account. Thanks!
Tim
When singing up for the online account I was asked if I needed extra security. There is no explanation of what this extra security is, how it works or what happens after I apply for it. I received the letter with the number on it but I’m reluctant to enter the number because I don’t know what I am setting up. Can you explain what this is?
R.F.
Thanks for your concern. If you select the extra security option, then you are required to provide additional information. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page in regards to Enhanced Security“. We hope this helps. If you need further assistance, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Tim
Not sure how you can possibly verify someones identity online now that virtually everyones information has been stolen from Equifax. Criminals now have the same information that Equifax has. This is the information you are relying on to verify I am who I say I am. Moving forward I would think its best to force people to set up their initial online account in person at a Social Security Office with the proper documentation to prove they are who they say they are, and then allow them to choose a question only they would know the answer to (not something thats resides in one of the credit bureaus).
I just set up my online account but it looks to me like it would be very easy for a criminal to pose as me and change my address and phone number if they had the stolen Equifax data. This is very scary. I hope SSA is mindful of these possibilities and places strict requirements for changing address or phone or other personal data after an account is setup online.
An earlier suggestion makes sense, sending an email or text message to the original email and or text contained in the account as warning or confirmation would at least give some piece of mind to the account owner and let them know if they need to take action. Virtually every institution including my banks, credit cards and online accounts do this.
R.F.
We understand your concern and appreciate your feedback, Tim. Social Security continues to evaluate and improve how we protect what’s important to you. We take this responsibility seriously, and we have a robust cybersecurity program in place to help protect the personal information you entrust to us. Adding additional security measures to safeguard your personal information — but making our services easy to use — is a vital part of keeping you safe and secure.
We recently added a second method to check your identification when you sign in to my Social Security. This is in addition to the first layer of security, your username and password. When you sign in, you will be able to choose either your cell phone or your email address as your second identification method. Using two ways to identify you when you log on will help better protect your account from unauthorized use and potential identity fraud. Thanks!
Karen
I really like the new 2-factor authentication; however, there is a problem with it. You can type a new e-mail address into the system to have the security code sent. So someone could have the code sent to an e-mail address that isn’t mine. The system should only use the phone number or e-mail that is already listed on the account.
N
Will my son’s information and SSI account be ok in the end? I am an unemployed college student; I fear we may not be able to pay bills or get groceries next month if this issue isn’t resolved soon…
J. C.
If I am retired and already receiving social security, do I still need to create a SS account or do I already have one?
R.F.
Great question! If you receive benefits or have Medicare, you can manage your benefits with a my Social Security account. To create an account click here.
The M.
Question: Why are you lying to the masses about the number starting with a letter that’s found on the back of SS card and that number correlating to each citizens own Birth Certificate and that it’s connected to accounts at the Fed Treasury? Can you explain that?
Mary
I called the local Social Security office and asked the person if he would change my address and other information if someone called there with my information and he said “if they were convincing enough I would.” What good is all of this online security? Would blocking my SS number stop him from doing that?
Mildred F.
I need to change my address how do I do it?
R.F.
Hi Mildred, if you get Social Security benefits or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by using a my Social Security account. Go to our Frequently Asked Questions web page to learn more.
Tom L.
I am a perm total service disabled vet I receive SSDI and VA support. Because I remained in Germany my last military assignment I can not use “Medicare” which I’ve paid into so long.
Moreover, because I’m receiving my Social Security benefits, which I paid into, I can not receive the full Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) which I paid into. Additionally, because the government allowed me to pay into BOTH plans, and anyone needing money from there SAVINGS accounts, The Civilian Personnel Offices made the mistake, we get to pay for. I used both, now I have to pay BACK the FERS account, MY money I used (FERS). I am not the only one who had this problem.
The point is, Social Security is getting better and keeping up, I couldn’t do it with out them.
Question;
1. In the US & Germany agreements where there is lateral agreements with SSA and SSDI. Why can I not use the MEDICARE or other Social Security programs? Or, how can I use them?
2. Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Correction Act (FERCCA): Agency Administrative Issues
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/benefits-administration-letters/2004/04-106.pdf
It was not an error on my part, but my spouse will pay for it in Life Insurance used as collateral when I die. As a Service Disabled Vet can I get this revoked?
Everything is rotating around the Social Security Disability retirement benefits, which I never figured I would need.. can anything be done?