Frauds & Scams, Online Services

Protecting Your Social Security

September 15, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man and woman sitting at table, looking at laptop

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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. David F.

    On line is useless. Enter user name, enter password, enter security code which is e mailed to you. I have to leave the SS page to get e mailed code. When I return I have to start over. When I get to security code the one you sent is no longer good so it sends another. Can’t log on. Please phone me to set up benefits.
    301-834-8665 Thanks, Dave Federline

    • A.C.

      Hi, David. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still unable to access your account or 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 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. Either can also schedule an appointment with your local office. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media.
      We hope this helps.

  2. William D.

    I have had a Social Security card since I turned 13….worked many years without any contact from the administration. I applied for social security 16-17 years ago. I found the administration very stoic and not very helpful. This past year my younger wife applied, and to my surprise and pleasure, the individuals, who helped her were pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable about the process. Congratulations to the Social Security Administration on the grownup, helpfull. sincere, attitude.

  3. GRUBE U.

    My wife Catherine Grube will be 61 years old on 13 October. We have been married for over 5 years, but she does not have a SSA number. She has not worked in the USA, but has worked in Germany were we now live. Could you please let us know how we can get a Social Security Number for her. I am retired from the US Army and my wife has a Military ID Card. Would appreciate a reply. Thank you.

  4. Margaret S.

    I have received calls saying from the social security office that my social security number has been compromised.I have hung up on them. Is this a scam?

  5. Barbara P.

    I received an automated call from a Chicago number which came up on my phone “Scam Likely ” Stating my SSN is now blocked. Do SS Administration have anything in place like this?

  6. Henry G.

    I would like to keep in contact and recieve important information that will be beneficial to me , , to my email address if it is o / k once a weak

  7. Whats A.

    Best vendor I have ever purchased cold lead email contacts off

    https://www.fiverr.com/tenreasons/provide-phone-yell-business-numbers-for-sms-marketing

  8. Carma

    Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne has argued that as a luxury brand, it should trade
    at a higher multiple than the roughly 10 times earnings we’d
    expect of an ordinary automaker in good times.

    That’s a fair point.

  9. William F.

    Recently I tried to go to SSA online but I have misplaced my password. I submitted my name and address and was told that it would be sent to me. I will soon retire from my job so I need to find out how much is available in my SSA account. Please let me know if I can use my previous password (what is it) or should I create another one. Thanks

    • A.C.

      Hi, William. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still unable to access your account or 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 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Juanita F.

    Every time I try to log into my SS Account my pass word is never excepted. This is a very annoying issue and time consuming as every password I’ve tried to use I get an error. I know what my password is for this site. Please explain why this continues to happen as it is very annoying. Thank You

    • A.C.

      Hi, Juanita. We are sorry to hear you are having difficulty accessing your my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or 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 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.