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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Thomas M.
Thomas Makos Germany have SsN card plase call DHS tu apruvet maine SSN card tu return back tu the Usa fur work only SsN XXX-XX-XXXX thanks thomas makos germany
Jeasnnette L.
cannot sign in it says info isn’t right, talked w someone 2 weeks ago and supposedly it was fixed, obviously it was not. now what?
R.F.
Hello Jeasnnette. 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!
Robert W.
Can’t get online and login system gave me my user name but did not recognize my password or when requested newt password, tried the retrieve that didn’t work either gave social # everything required, would not recognize, need help, tried to call, on hold for 1hour and a half, have up, did everything right, system problems and got locked out till tomorrow.
Robert W Avila
ADRA M.
I HAVE NOT ACCESSED MY SSA ACCOUNT IN YEARS, THEREFORE I NEED TO CHANGE MY EMAIL ADDRESS, SIGN IN AND PASSWORD. I CANNOT DO IT ON THIS WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diego
Legal adorei!!!
Gary H.
I have forgotten my previous email address and password because I rarely log on. I have a new email address, and I have also moved and need to report this information. What is the best way to communicate this to SSA?
R.F.
Hi Gary! 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.
Patricia D.
please help me to change address and transfer social security benefits to our new bank
R.F.
Hello Patricia, if you get Social Security benefits, you can change your address and update your direct deposit information by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Gregg L.
Not able to access Social Security info through “my Social Security” account. How do I reset?
Johanna R.
I received an email from saying its an annual reminder to review my social security statement. Is this legitimate. ? The address given to respond is http://www.socialsecurity.gov/review your statement. I am retired and dont see how this would apply to me.
It says I wont receive a statement periodically in the maill, saving money and the environment.
R.F.
Hello Johanna. You can get your personal Social Security Statement online by using your my Social Security account.
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.
Germayne T.
I am trying to replace my SS card. I will mail my submitted application with a copy of my license. Will that work? Also, when I tried to receive information about my benefits, it said the information that i was submitting was not valid. Since I do not have my SS card, I am not sure if I used my middle name initial or my last name (prior to my married last name) as the initial. Both attempts were rejected.
V.V.
Hello Germayne. All documents that you submit must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Any documents that you provide will be returned to you. To learn more on the Social Security replacement card process, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page.
If you are unable to create a my Social Security account or encounter a problem, 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 you can contact your local Social Security office.