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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Ryan M.
Thank you ya’ll
Mitchell B.
Hi, I am 19yr American Citizen living outside the US for sometime now. When My SS card was issued and sent to the address we were living, we had already moved, and I never got the card (I was a toddler then). Even until now, my relatives never sent my card , and have a negative attitude whenever my mom would ask for it. I do not know what I should do – whether to try to get it from them, or to apply for a replacement one. What benefits are available to me if I am living outside the US ? Also how can I lock my SS number from outside the US ? Thank you
R.F.
Hi Mitchell! Please contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance related to Social Security benefits.
Jfree
I am a victim of identity fraud, I am receiving calls from creditors asking me to pay back loans I did not take. I have bank accounts open in my name which has since been closed, as well as credit cards. I received a weird e-mail and phone call asking me to pay or else I will go to jail. I have reported it to identitythef.gov, file a police report and reported to the 3 credit bureaus. However I am still concern this will continue to occur, I want to know how I can get a new social security number? We are in the process of purchasing a new home soon and this could harm us, I am government employee and work really hard, I never had any issues like this before. However this all started with my husband about 6 years ago now its happening to me, when we file our taxes IRS had to give us a special number to prove our identity, because someone had already file taxes using my husbands number. We had to change our phone numbers because we got calls day and night from all over claiming we owe them. We change e-mail address, I’m in the process of changing my cell number, I even got a call at work. This is really scaring me, is there a way my SS number can be change?
R.F.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for information on this topic.
Juanita
I am abroad with my husband who is working. I managed to freeze my Equifax account. Do I have to travel to Dublin to establish My Social Security account? It’s very expensive to call the help desk number when I’m not sure they can help me from here.
Thank you. I’m really at a loss for what to do from Europe.
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us, Juanita. The “my Social Security” authentication system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for issuing an account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address yet. However, you do not need a U.S. address to access our website or to file online for benefits. Please contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to your Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.
Juanita
Thank you for your clear and thoughtful guidance.
It is very much appreciated. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Margolit H.
How can I request a paper SS statement, without online access/account? Not yet close to age 60 to automatically receive the paper statement.
R.F.
Hi, Margolit. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to get a Social Security Statement. Thanks!
Mariano
Thank you for another informative site. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
http://blogs.rediff.com/loanstoday/2016/08/23/how-you-can-find-out-more-about-cheap-holidays-in-bulgaria/
LA S.
My husband and I both attempted to Create an account and was asked credit questions that neither one of us recognized. We do not have car loans or credit cards that were listed. SSA would not let us move forward with the Create mode. Do we need to go to SSA and dispute this?
R.F.
We apologize for the inconvenience. We have established a dedicated My Social Security – Hotline to assist customers with access to their personal 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. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance. Thanks.
Rick
Has anyone on this Blog recently received emails that a Social Security was made on their account? I have and I am concerned it’s a scam. Trying to get thru to SSA but have been on hold for over 15 minutes 2 days in a row.
TJ
I do not remember my logon information from a few years ago. However, the email address I associated with my social security online account has been compromised. I do not want information to go there. How can I find my logon information without using the compromised email address associated with my account? Is there a way to switch to my work email without known my logon information?
R.F.
We have established a dedicated (My Social Security) Hotline. If you need assistance, please call 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance.
John D.
I lost my 8 digit reentry code. I tried to get it online but alas it is not there. I called 1-800-772-1213 and they could not find it either. Is there anything to do to get that number so I do not have to call to get access online. It sort of defeats the purpose to save time if I have to wait on que on a phone to save time on a computer. What do I do on off hours when no one it there to answer the phone. As you know the wait imes are long as the amount of service help is low and a bit deficient. The automatic system is jus frustrating.