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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Susan D.
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Kaykavous K.
My Address Change
V.V.
Hi there. If you get Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can create a my Social Security account to change your address online.
If you get SSI, do not have a U.S. mailing address, or are unable to change your address online, you can:
•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.
If you do not receive Social Security benefits, SSI or Medicare, you do not need to change your address with us.
MaryKayMiller
Can you send me to a Webb site so I can find employment. On straight social security. MaryKayMiller
V.V.
Hello MaryKay. The Ticket to Work program provides Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to work with access to free employment support services. Please check it out!
SUSAN A.
I received a phone call today that said they were from social security with the #800-772-7218 that told me my number was compromised and that my checks would be suspended. I hung up on them and tried to call SS but could not get through.
R.F.
Hello Susan. Unfortunately, there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about.
See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Thanks!
Wilferd A.
On this date Nov. 26th at about 8:30 am I received a call
on my cell phone telling me of a law suit by the Social Security against my social security account from a telephone numbered prefix 218 with no other identity which I prom[tly hung up on.
On this Date Nov. 26, 2018 I have received a telephone call from a 218 prefix saying that the Social Security has a suit against m e or my Social Security Account to which I did respond as I promptly hung up.
My question is: Is this an honest call, are ever subject to telephone calls or is this a fraudulent instrusion?
V.V.
Hi Wilferd, thank you for checking in with us. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our two recent blog posts:
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-oig-impersonation-schemes/
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-public-about-caller-id-spoofing-scheme-misusing-ssa-customer-service-number/
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). You may also report the information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Dora J.
Need to change my bank account number.
V.V.
Hi Dora. Thanks for the question. If you’re receiving Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability), you can start or update your direct deposit information by using your personal my Social Security account.
If receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or unable to conduct business online, you can start or update your direct deposit by contacting the bank, credit union, or savings and loan association or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information.
Mary M.
I have forgotten my username, Password to create an online app. How can I get into the system.
V.V.
Hi Mary: See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to retrieve or change your password. If you 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”.
JUN T.
SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH ANYONE TO INQUIRE ABOUT A PROBLEM!!! TRIED FEW DIFFERENT OPTIONS. I GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOPEFULLY IT WAS A SCAM.
BOOKER S.
I BOOKER T.,SIMMONS, do appreciate the service from your office the social security department. I can not thank you and your staffs for such an outstanding work you do for all those who are depending on your service..
Again, thank you, thank you. My pleasure.
V.V.
Thank you, Booker! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.
Romindo A.
I got a letter from Social Security Administration, Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center with the address PO BOX 5888, Wilkes Barre PA 18767-5888 regarding Beneficiary Recontact Report.
Just want to know whether that letter is legit or just phising? I tried to check the address of Wilkes Barre Direct operation center, but it is different than the one mentioned above.
Please let me know
Thank you
V.V.
Hi there. Thank you for checking in with us. Social Security automatically sends form SSA-1588-SM to all eligible young surviving spouses. The young surviving spouse has 90 days to complete and return the form to the Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center (WBDOC) at:
WBDOC
PO Box 5888
Wilkes Barre PA 18767-5888
For additional questions, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.