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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Kamber h.
Hi i have a recive phone call from fraud today i hope my ss account still great im worry All day they ASK me qwestione im not told them nothing but Im still worry pls can u e-mail me
V.V.
Hi Kamber. Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here.
Deborah C.
Spam cal!er. .806 5411861 leaving msg about fraud o n social security called back woman said don’t call us
V.V.
Hi Jody. Thank you for letting us know about the call. Unfortunately there are some Social Security impersonation schemes that we are warning citizens about. See our most recent blog post:
Inspector General Warns Public About Caller ID “Spoofing” of Social Security Fraud Hotline Phone Number
Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams here.
William E.
I received a phone call today on my cell phone, I did not answer but they did leave a message and said my SSN had been suspended for questionable use of my SSN, I do believe this is a scam.
A.C.
Hi, William. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
V.A.Russell
Dear Sir or Madame; Am a woman in my 60’s who worked for more than thirty seven years, and when married kept working to help support the son of my new husband, The marriage ended long ago, and I never sought alimony, I just needed to escape. Now, having suffered a stroke, I am constantly abused and robbed, both by my neighbors (commanded by the landlord, Jubilee Housing), and also was attacked by my only sibling, who was armed. Despite the protective order I had on my sibling, she entered my apaprtment when I was out, accompanied my a friend in the DC Police force, and by what appeared to be a rifle, still in its vynil case when I entered my apartment. (I left, immediately). Over the past 2+ years, I have given applications with commensurate application fees sometimes as high as $125. dollars. I suspect the renal offices are enjoying charging fees, refusing to rent, and taking a loss in their taxes, much as was done to cause the “Great Depression”. Shuols I ask again at HUD for a lawyer? This landlord has kille three different cats, and stolen all my furniture. I know if I die there, they will put me in the dumpster, out back, where they threw my collection of books, last week.
Rita R.
I am receiving 10-20 calls a day concerning Medicare. I am on a do not call list. When asked how they got my phone number, I was told that Social Security gives out phone numbers. Is there any truth to this?
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, Rita. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
India F.
Hi so if the CPN is legal, who issues the number?
Marjorie D.
I want to alert you to this operation that leaves a recorded message left on my voicemail — from this #, 1-800-772-1037 — alleging that “your social security account has been suspended due to suspicious activity.” This is the second such voicemail message I have received with this information meant to alarm me. I didn’t respond. I do not pick up calls from numbers I don’t recognize. But I thought you might be able to do something to track down this operation. I blocked the caller but these operations cycle through phone numbers.
Karen L.
Good Morning, I would like to change my address but I am unable to change it online since I am not receiving benefits. Please provide me a phone number so I can make the change without visiting an office.
Thanks!
John O.
I keep getting phone calls on my cell phone from 800 numbers claiming to be your organization. They said that my number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. I’m sure that it’s a scam but could you help shut them down… There return numbers are: (800) 772-1069 and (800) 772-1071.
Thank you in advance,
A.C.
Thanks for checking in with us, John. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying that they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams, here. You can find additional information here. We hope this helps.
Lynn G.
I don’t want my account information available on line to anyone, including myself. You’re inviting problems.