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.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Mr. P.

    My bank account was hacked last week leaving me with no funds whatsoever. The list of culprits included overseas thieves. All of these frauded receipts occurred two days after I received my monthly entitlement. How did they obtain my card….and worse….how did they know when I receive my check? There is a possible breach with the social security administration. Please check your security measures. This is devastating to me as I am not a wealthy person.

  2. Ruben S.

    If cyber security protection is necessary to prevent or safeguard my info. then, is not more secure get all info. by mail?…(statement, increase of payments, etc.). I create an account by I noticed that I can not get acces to my account even if I wrote down the correct username and password.

  3. KATHRYN L.

    I AM NOT RECEIVING MY SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS. MY ENTRY DATE IS -2-16-18
    MY ENTRY NUMBER IS 13318482

  4. Geraldine B.

    My husband and I has been for 4 years. He was marry to his first wife for 10 years. She remarry to another man before she passed away a year ago. Is my husband entitle to her social security or the second husband-

  5. Lois A.

    Does Social Security have my current address?

    It is 4515 Willard Avenue, apt. 1809 S
    Chevy Chase, MD 20815

  6. Donna L.

    Dear Sirs:

    I was recently threatened with a lawsuit which has not materialized. Unfortunately, shortly after I received the notice of the pending lawsuit, I sent my tax returns to their attorney and now he has my social security number. I sent the tax returns to prove there was no available money to pay any potential lawsuit money (bad advice from a friend). How can I make sure the attorney cannot use my SSN now?

  7. B b.

    I have been trying to get social security office to put my middle name on any correspondce that is sent me like my 1099r because the post office is sending my mail to a nother bernard benson then when i finally got my 1099r ba k in march it was opened now my ss number is out there

  8. Laryy B.

    I created an account on 4-22-18 @ 7:02 PM. I tried opening account 5-10 minutes later, and it said no account was created. Re-entry # : on my file, but did not want to publish on this post for security reasons

  9. Agnes W.

    How can my 17 year old granddaughter get a replacement social security card, father knows her number but cannot find her card

  10. Prima B.

    I wish to request a change of address please
    My new address :
    Prima Buckley
    Santa Clarita Lane
    Puerto Real, Tabuc Suba
    La Paz, Iloilo City
    Philippines 5000

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