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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Jackie m.
I’m trying to see the message that Social Security sent me,but forgot my password and can’t get the sign in to help ! It says to try later at regular business hours from 5:00am to 1:00am Eastern time ! I’m trying right now ! Please HELP !
R.F.
Hello Jackie, please call our call our dedicated my Social Security-Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 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”. Thanks!
Victoria M.
I have used the website for a few years without any problems. Today I can’t log in because the second line of security is not working. Therefore I can’t even log into my account. What’s up with this?
R.F.
We apologize for any inconvenience, Victoria. If you encounter a problem with your personal 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!
Anna A.
I have been denied access to my SS .
Nancy W.
Cannot find where to change my address in Prescott, AZ from XXXX Prickley Pear to XXXX Hornet in Prescott, AZ
Dariel F.
I haven’t used my online account in a few years and I’ve changed e-mail information, I need help with getting back to my online account. Apparently I’ve been locked out.
V.V.
Hi Dariel. We are sorry that you are having trouble with your my Social Security account.
For assistance with your 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.
Chelveat M.
I need to know if my so security can be transferred to Oklahoma City oklahoma my live in oklahoma my new address is 5212 Brookdale street Oklahoma City OK 73135
V.V.
Hi Chelveat. 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.
Lily
I have filled out Request for Reconsideration on line, but can not find out how to email it to you.
V.V.
Hi Lily, thank you for your question. Typically, once you click on the Submit button, the application is sent. You can check the application status in your my Social Security account . If you do not already have an account, you can create one.
If you’re unable to check the status online, 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. or you can contact your local Social Security office.
Sheri
I am concerned that I am required to enter my Social Security number prior to creating an account with a password. How safe is it to add my whole # on an unprotected format? We are taught to only give out our last 4 unless we are password protected.
V.V.
Hi Sheri. We understand your concern and appreciate your concerns. 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.
karim K.
i got call from social security office about some one using my social security number please call me 512-206-6852 my name is karim karerdia!
V.V.
Hi Karim, 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.
Kyra T.
At 3:10pm Pacific time today, Thursday, 29 November 2018, I received a call from a number that appeared to be from a Social Security Administration representative with whom I worked to set up my account when I reached eligibility. However, this number was now showing as I listened to a very threatening, fear-mongering recorded message that claimed that my Social Security benefits would be blocked if I didn’t press 1 and take their survey. Suspecting a scam, but confused that it was originating from a person’s number that was actually a number I had called about 2 years ago. Suspicious, and very wary, I pressed 1, and did NOT get the person whose number was showing on my caller ID. The person who answered had a very heavy accent to the point I didn’t really catch what he said before saying he was with the Social Security office. I asked for his name, and he became very upset and asked why I wanted his name and why I pressed 1. I told him I was curious whether I would get the real Social Security Office, and he became angry, and twice angrily said: “Are you an asshole? Are you an asshole?” I hung up and immediately went to the SSA website, and am currently on “hold” to try to speak with a REAL Social Security person. Again, this occurred on my cellular at 3:10pm on Thursday, 29 November 2018.