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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J o.
How can I get a printout for my award letter
V.V.
Hi Jovonne, thank you for your question. You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. To set up your account, visit the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” You will need to provide some personal information to verify your identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating your account. Once you create your account, scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where you can instantly view, print, or save your official letter. If you are unable to create an 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.
Ty D.
Im a parent how do I make a online account for my child?
V.V.
Hi Ty. Our current policy does not allow people to set up my Social Security accounts for others. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old to create a my Social Security account. If you have specific questions, please call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and speak to one of our representatives.
Gregory B.
My wife and I have been the victims of identity theft. This morning I received a call allegedly from Social Security saying there is a legal proceeding against my social security number and that I need to call them at 915-799-0272.
Would your office call me to inform me of this? I am very suspicious of this call.
V.V.
Hello Gregory, Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes. An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
If you have 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). Individuals may also report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Connie S.
8/23/18 Received a call from
240-551-5781. Saying it was SS
calling – there is suspicious activity
on my account – I returned tt call
and spoke to someone with a thick
accent – I immediately hung up and
checked SS phone. # in my contacts.
That no. above NOT listed. I think it was a scam. I didn’t give any info
except when I called SS Administration at 1800-772-1213.
I did give my SS No.
Pls call me at 954-349-7770
Thank you
CS Battista
R.F.
Thank you for sharing this information, Connie. Social Security Administration (SSA) employees occasionally contact citizens by telephone for customer-service purposes.
An SSA employee may call you in limited situations, such as if you recently filed a claim or have other Social Security business that are pending. In only a few limited special situations, usually already known to the citizen, an SSA employee may request the citizen to confirm personal information over the phone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which receives and analyzes public complaints related to identity theft, recently reported to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) an increase in reports of suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be SSA employees.
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). Citizens may -also- report this information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Harold M.
I have power of attorney for my older sibling who lives in Wisconsin and I want to know if I am allowed to set up online access so I can monitor my siblings benefits from my home in Florida. I already use online for my own account information
R.F.
Hello Harold. As a reminder, you can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission.
When a beneficiary needs help managing his or her Social Security benefits, we recommend that relatives (preferably living with or near by) apply to become that person’s Representative Payee.
Please note that having a power of attorney, or having a joint bank account with the beneficiary, is not the same as being a payee. These arrangements do not give you legal authority to negotiate and manage payments for someone receiving Social Security or SSI payments. As a representative payee, you will be able to talk with us and have access to the beneficiary’s records. In the future, it will make it easier for you to update that person’s account information.
We understand how inconvenient this may be, but we hope that you understand our role in protecting everyone’s personal information.
If interested, you will need to contact your local office for a face-to-face interview.
If you have specific questions, or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Alastair L.
I want to change the bank in which my benefit is deposited.
R.F.
Hello Alastair, if you already receive benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) and you have a bank account, you can start or update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
SUSAN J.
I have never opened an account with social security but I am suspicious
How do I find out if someone else has opened an account with my social security number.
ie. relative that was executor of a parent estate and received my ss# and knows my email and cell phone number. therefore, your extra layers of security aren’t that secure.
R.F.
We understand your concern and appreciate your feedback, Susan.
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.
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”, and speak to one of our agents for assistance when creating a my Social Security account. Thanks!
Ramilaben B.
I want to change Bank Information for my direct deposit of my Social Security benefit.
R.F.
Hello! If you already receive Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) and you have a bank account, you can start or update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account.
Bipinchandra K.
I want to change bank information for direct deposit of my Social Security Benefit
R.F.
Hello Bipinchandra, if you already receive Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) and you have a bank account, you can start or update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Ruth W.
I cant get into my social security at all & i have did forgot username & forgot password & when it prompts me to enter my social security number & birthdate it says information can not be verified or something to that affect. Its been almost a year since ive been able to get into my social security & i dont know what else to do.