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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Michael R.
THIS NUMBER CLAIMED TO BE YOU GUYS BUT THEY ARE CLEARLY SCAMMERS THOUGHT I’D SHARE THIS NUMBER FOR YOU GUYS TO LOOK INTO THIS…916-742-6918
R.F.
Hello Michael. 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.
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 type of information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report. Thanks!
frances h.
I would like to get my social security payment by mail & not use direct deposit
V.V.
Hi Frances: As of March 1, 2013, if you receive your benefits by paper check, you are out of compliance with the law. Social Security will send you a paper check only if you meet one of the exceptions. The Treasury Department will grant exceptions to the rule only in rare circumstances. Check recipients living in remote areas without sufficient banking infrastructure may apply for a waiver, as well as check recipients for whom electronic payments would impose a hardship due to a mental impairment. Automatic waivers are granted to people born on or before May 1, 1921, and people who qualify for this waiver do not need to submit an application.
Justin M.
Is there a way I can get information of past employment? I have held several jobs since I was 14. I need to get a list of every job I have ever had. Does the SSA have that information? If so, does it have the dates I started and left those jobs? If so, how do I get that information?
V.V.
Hi Justin. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how you can obtain a detailed statement.
terry w.
I can not get the form for medicare only to come up , this is two weeks trying
V.V.
Hi Terry, thanks for the question. If you’re asking about how to apply for Medicare only, see our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to sign up for Medicare.
Our Frequently Asked Questions web page also has information on the forms that are needed to enroll in Part B when you already have Part A.
For additional questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or contact your local Social Security office.
Tetesa
How do unblock online services
R.F.
Hello Tetesa. If you block access to your record and then change your mind in the future, you can contact Social Security and ask us to unblock it. Thanks!
Beth A.
I got a reset code by mail, but I don’t know where to enter it into the system. I followed the instructions in the letter, but to no avail.
R.F.
Hello Beth. 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!
ALLEN S.
Every time I try to log into my account I can’t get in or have to change my password. Why is this? I write my password down so it should let me in. Don’t like changing password every time I want to access. Now I’m locked out for 24 hours which I understand for security reasons but it”s frustrating. Thank you
Rao u.
Fraud alert please my social got hacked months ago
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Toni F.
I received two calls today telling me my social security account may be compromised and I should call 430-808-1703. Is this legit.
R.F.
Hello Toni. 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.
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!