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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monicadri
I need a social security award letter.
V.V.
Hi there, thank you for your question. You can get a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. To set up your account, visit the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” You will need to provide some personal information to verify your identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating your account. Once you create your account, scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where you can instantly view, print, or save your official letter.
If you are unable to create an account or 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” or you can contact your local Social Security office.
kennith p.
i cant get in my account is there a way to stop it and start a new one
V.V.
Hi Kennith, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties accessing 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.
Hua c.
My parents ( both 90 years old )lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they will move to Fremont, California January 12th, 2019, and stay with their oldest son which is I. How should I transfer their Medicare from Pennsylvania to California??
V.V.
Hi Hua, thank you for using our blog. Because of privacy and security concerns, you will not be able to conduct Social Security business on behalf of your parents unless you are their representative payee. Having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or having a joint bank account with them does not authorize you to access information on their Social Security record. If they do not have a representative payee and are not capable of managing and directing their Social Security benefits, someone should consider applying to be their payee. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” or visit our Representative Payee webpage. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to request an appointment.
If they are capable of managing their benefits, they can create a my Social Security account to change their address online.
If they are unable to change their address online, they 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 their local Social Security office.
Ted p.
I received my new sis car, but l missed place my old card. Please contact me about the missing card.
Melody h.
1-3-2019 i was hacked on my lap top and am afraid my information has been compromised and now I can’t get into my account
R.F.
Hello Melody!
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.
Rita A.
I lost my
social
I lost my social Security cards (stolen) and I need to include James Moore, Cornerstone, My Son , Paul Koss, and me on a different bank account so that all all the Social Security deductions will come from a US bank account approved by the three of us. Please reply to me as soon as possible.
R.F.
Hello Rita, to see if you and your son are eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page.
To establish or update your direct deposit information, you can use your personal my Social Security account. You may have to speak with an agent when establishing multiple (direct deposit) accounts on the record. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Robin M.
My friend has been incarcerated for 20 years and he needs a new social security card. He went to the SS office but they need a birth certificate To get a copy of my birth certificate he needs a social security card. He tried to get and ID from DMV but they need prof as well like a pass port, social security card , birth cert. Can any one help him get a new social security card since he was let out of prison. Thank you Robin mesman
Phyllis M.
I would like to know if people like me on 1-3-2019
daniel p.
hello
i am trying to access my account to change the direct deposit but my wife account keeps coming up
daniel p morrell
032344217
Samuel L.
An unauthorized credit card application was filled out with my soc sec number what can I do to protect my social security?