Update to New Online Security
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: November 3, 2023
On July 30, 2016, Social Security began requiring new and current my Social Security account holders to sign into their account using a one-time code sent via text message. This second layer of security that requires more than a username and a password is known as “multifactor authentication.” We recently mandated this second layer of security to comply with the President’s Executive Order on Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions. We implemented it aggressively because we have a fundamental responsibility to protect the public’s personal information.
Our aggressive implementation resulted in some of our customers being unable to access their personal my Social Security accounts. We listened to the public’s concerns, and have temporarily rolled back this mandate.
As before July 30, current account holders will be able to access their secure account using only their username and password. We highly recommend the extra security text message option, but it will not be required. Now, we are developing an alternative authentication option, besides text messaging, that we will implement within the next six months.
We strive to balance security and customer service options, and we want to ensure that our online services are both easy to use and secure. The best way to secure your information is to create a personal my Social Security account. If a person already has an account, a fraudulent attempt to create an account would be unsuccessful. The my Social Security service has always featured a robust verification and authentication process, and it remains safe and secure.
We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced. Open or access your personal my Social Security account today.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Barbara S.
Can I use my email address to get my access code? My phone sometimes does not get signal in rural Florida and you are not letting me access my account without cell phone. Please advise how to change to my email address. You are making it harder for Seniors to get information!
linda s.
Received a temp. password from you by mail on 10/5/2018, tried to use it but it won’t go thru, system doesn’t recognize password. help!!!
R.F.
We are sorry that you’re having difficulties accessing your my Social Security account, Linda. If you are still having trouble accessing your account, please 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”. Or you can contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
robert m.
i have move need to give my new address .my medicare claim number is *** – ** – ***-A my old address was 3057 hidden forest dr snellville ga. 30078. my new one is 2101 broughton rd newborn ga 30056.
V.V.
Hi Robert. 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.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels. Thanks.
Peggy O.
Please call as I have tried several times.
R.F.
Hello Peggy. If you already receive benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) and you have a bank account, you can start or update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Peggy O.
I want to change my direct deposit account number.
R.F.
Hello Peggy. If you already receive benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) and you have a bank account, you can start or update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Frank H.
My wife Mary and myself have not yet received our NEW SS NUMBERS. The official telephonline (1/800/633/4227) is constantly busy and a given internet line (www.medicare.gov) does not appear to be helpful.
We are an elderly couple and …yes, we are not up to par with using the internet.
Please help!
Thankfully, Frank & Mary Hodel
Eddie K.
The questions to open my social security account are ridiculous. An example; Name of the company that you paid off a loan in 1998. The answer was a company that bought out a company that bought out the company I owed the loan to. How am I supposed to keep up with that. Experian didn’t even have this loan listed on my credit report. I had to research all of the answers to discover who the company way. This is insane!
Roy Q.
Will not accept my SS number? Cannot access my account.
R.F.
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. Thanks!
Marian V.
Your two-layer security is crap. I have wasted immense amounts of time on you people. And I’m sick of it. Sending me another letter via mail, with a code, for which I have to wait for than a week won’t cut it.
I CANNOT GET CELL PHONE SERVE WHERE I LIVE (on the Canadian border, where cell phones have to be set so that Canadian cell towers don’t interfere.) We’re hardly the only people in the country that applies to. What universe do you people live in?
If you want to send a code to my home phone, fine. But not to a cell phone. I NEED to get into my account, and I can’t wait more than a week to do it.
I would appreciate if some live and at least mildly sentient human being would reply to this/ fix this situation.
Marian V.
… Or: why can’t you send a code to my email address?
Shelley
I got a forum for a review of my benefits. I lost the paper work and need to get another one. Anyway to have another one mailed to me. Or print out the form?
R.F.
Hello Shelley, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. 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 in the week. Thanks!