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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Tony R.
I filed for disability last week and I looked up my account and it says they are processing it. I went to Kaiser because I was told I was supposed to go through them and they take care of the process but I already filed it. They said they needed a R1000000 number? Said I would have gotten it when I filed? I can’t find this number anywhere. Can you help me?
Ray F.
Hi Tony, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to assist you. 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 during the week. Thanks.
Sharon R.
Bank of America
Sharon R.
Tried to sign up for my own SS account but said thy could not verity my account. Will this mean I cannot access my own account?
Frances E.
I am trying to change where the direct deposit is going from the Soc. Sec. Dept. How can I do that. They ask for a password, I don’t have one or know what it is if I gave one…please respond.
Ray F.
Hi Frances, if you receive Social Security benefits you can start or make changes to your direct deposit online. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for additional information. 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!
Margaretrose M.
My S.S. card, Medicare card, birth certificate, credit card, supermarket check cashing card, ATM card, free Safelink Wireless telephone, driver’s license, library card, were all stolen twice. Once on 11/1/11 in Westerly, Rhode Island and once in Norwalk, CT 06853-1240in 2007, 2011 and 2017 several different people learned my name/ss #, date of birth, unpublished telephone number, place of birth, address, and medical information. I cannot obtain annual credit histories from any credit companies. I cannot order anything online from any company. I cannot obtain social services or even open a social security account because I am always told: Your name and social security number do not match. You address does not match. You home, landline telephone number does not match your name or address or social security number. I want to change my social security number due to people impersonating me in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and any one connected with Stony Brook University in 2007.
Ray F.
We do not have access to personal information in this blog. Please be cautious about posting and communicating personal information in social media. Generally, reports and investigations of identity theft are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information from their website: http://www.idtheft.gov. If you have reportable information on the victim; from the website, please go to “Get Started” and select “I want to report identity theft” then choose the options that best fit your issue. Or you may call them at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on when we can assign a different Social Security number. Thank you.
Kenneth H.
Change of address
FL. 33884
Ray F.
Hi Kenneth. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media.
If you get Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by using a my Social Security account. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information.
Summer313
So much issue that’s been made regarding posting private personal information on public sites I do not understand why people still do it. Perhaps a way to block a comment that includes private information would be a necessary security method for people who do not think when they just publicly display their private information–then we hear the whining about somebody that had their info stolen. They actually gave it away freely thinking that nobody else can see what they typed. Security needs to be better for people like that, maybe banning them for their own good.
LORA E.
I NEED TO SET UP MY ACCOUNT, BUT YOU SYSTEM COULD NOT VERIFY ME. IT ASKED ABOUT MORTGAGE AND LEASE INFO THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD AND IT LOCKED ME OUT. I HAVE MOVED AND I NEED TO UPDATE MY MAILING ADDRESS.
Ray F.
We apologize for any inconvenience, Lora. 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.
R. R.
I could not create My Account . Said information was wrong. How do I get this straightened out?
Ray F.
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!
Kate H.
My name is Kate and I am the the POA and Guardian for my brother, Michael. I need some information regarding applying for additional benefits for him and I would like to set up an online account. He would not be able to do this on his own, and it would make my live a bit easier. If I set up an appointment at my local office, does my brother have to come with me? I could bring proof that I am his Guardian or whatever documents are necessary.
Ray F.
Hi Kate. You can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission.
Please note that having a “Power of Attorney” does not give you legal authority to manage payments for someone receiving Social Security or SSI benefits. If your brother needs help managing his benefits, you may be interested in applying to become his representative payee. As a representative payee, you will have access to your brother’s records and the ability to update his account information. A face-to-face interview is required when applying to be someone’s representative payee. If your brother cannot be present, a statement from his doctor would be helpful. The statement should say that your brother is not able to -mentally and physically- manage his Social Security benefits and identify you as the person responsible to keep his finances in order.
Please read our publication: A Guide For Representative Payees for more information. If you have specific questions, or to make an appointment with the local Social Security office, please call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks
Drew
I can not create an my social security web account because it states that it can not validate my information. What do I need to do to get this fixed?
Ray F.
Hello Drew. If you are having difficulties with your personal my Social Security 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.