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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Susan D.
My brother, 88 and visually impaired has bern scammed by a caller declaring him the winner of a big prize. He has very small pension and soc sec and does not believe this is a scam. Has begged me for thousands, his own bank accounts are subject to electronic theft including his soc sec checks. He was tricked into making calls to an overseas number and owes almost $2000 in phone bills, facing a cut off of service. He asked SSA to send his check to his home but when the “contact” heard about it he intimidated my brother into using a bank acct. # in South Carolina! I want to make sure his check does not get stolen through that bank account.
Thomas M.
Otostrase 34 Starnberg 82319 Germany.
R.F.
Hello Thomas, we recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefits Unit or U.S. Embassy for assistance with Social Security matters. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels.
Thanks!
Thomas M.
Thomas Makos 01-01-1970 Germany .Have SSN Cardgut tu return back tu the Usa fur work only plase chek maine case S S N-***-**-**** have ID card Mass gut tu return back tu the Usa fur work only S65509268 plase call DHS fur maine case thanks thomas makos Germany.
Flora L.
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you Nevertheless I’m experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting equivalent rss drawback? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Steven J.
I would hereby comment that this day I am almost at receiving my reinstatement via help.
steve adlawan
Darren M.
The user name for my account has one capital letter and the rest are lower case. When I enter it that way, your page automatically makes the user name all capital letters. This is the sixth time I have tried to get into my account but you suspend it for 24 hours. I need to change the bank on my social security disability check.
R.F.
Hello Darren. 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 “help-desk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Misty P.
Can my son’s Father and his attorney contact Social Security and find out what I get disability for he is threatening that he is going to I thought that was against the law I need a response ASAP
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Misty. Social Security records are confidential and we do not disclose information, unless we have the proper authorization or consent. The Privacy Act is a federal law that governs our collection and use of records we maintain on you. We may not disclose your information without your consent unless certain exceptions apply to the disclosure.
Janice R.
I could not create an account with SS.
R.F.
Hello Janice, 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. Thanks!
Marybeth H.
My abusive ex is was using my computer so my info does not go thru. I need a statement of my Ss for housing I am currently staying with someone to be safer
Alice B.
I need to change my address.
R.F.
Hello Alice, please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!