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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Deshun B.
I think that the government needs to protect people job offering scam through hatredsum opportunities from professionals of opportunity to block hate a racism, for the betterment of co-operations.
Cult other word/ polarizer. Incomplete men from others property.
Mary S.
Received a call this morning from 800-772-1213 that was identified by my caller ID as Social Security. I think your number is being spoofed. I did not answer the call.
Thought you should know.
Dwana W.
I lost my Medicare card and would like to get a new one
Heaba A.
I’m heaba elsyyadI want the number of social security number.all my papers for the office for social security office.since four weeks
I’m amricane sitizen l born in Florida 1977 so please I want my social security number .My full name Heaba abdel auty Ahmed abdelmegd elsayyad.
A.C.
Hi, Heaba. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with their local office on specific questions about their case. You can also call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps!
Blu E.
My identity may have been borrowed. A background check revealed I had purchased Allstate Insurance a few years ago. Recently I received a call from Allstate which I did not answer.
About the same time as the revelation, I discovered I had a free cell phone I could not account for when I was asking about sending my free phone back to the service once I had my own phone which I paid for.
This is not enough information to conclude my identity has been stolen.
Does SS have a method to verify if my number is safe or has been used by another person? This question would be a good one for your list of possible inquiries.
Thank-you.
A.C.
Hi, Blu. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information on their website: http://www.idtheft.gov or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). To learn more about the steps individuals can take to prevent or resolve issues of identity theft, read our publication: “Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number”. Thanks!
Susan r.
I received a call that there was fraud on my account and all my benefits were suspended. What do I do now?
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
Eugene B.
I have attempted too sign up for My Social Security and I keep getting a response that my social security number is not valid. Please explain!
R.F.
Hello Eugene. 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!
Maria H.
Are you calling people about suspicious use of my social security number I just received a call I hung up thinking it was a scam
R.F.
Hello Maria. 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 or the OIG, 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. Thanks!
Mark f.
AW TTT
Celia R.
I understand new s.s. cards have been issued. I never received a new card. My phone no. is5613384784.
Please send me a new card. Celia R. Jacobs
V.V.
Hi Celia, thank you for your question. Medicare will automatically mail your new card to the address you have on file with Social Security. As long as your address is up to date, there’s nothing you need to do. If you need to update your address, you can use your personal my Social Security account.
Mailing millions of Medicare cards takes some time, so you might get your card at a different time than friends or neighbors in your area.
Visit Medicare.gov/NewCard and sign up to get email alerts from Medicare. Medicare will send you an email when cards start mailing in your state. Thanks!