Frauds & Scams

Update to New Online Security

August 15, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

MFAOn 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

  1. Business N.

    A lot of usefull information in those links, Thanks

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  2. Jacob A.

    A second level of security is great, but the whole idea is to send the code to the email id on record. If you allow the user to select ANY email id to receive the code, you have NOT, repeat NOT, added any more security, only the appearance of same.

  3. Wayne

    I would like to add this extra security, but your validation requirements do not include options available to me. I don’t have a recent W-2 form. I’ve been retired for over five years and no longer receive them. I don’t have a the other tax form either and your system cannot confirm my credit card numbers. I spoke with one of your agents today and was told he could not activate this for me, that I would have to do it on line. So what am I to do? Other organizations that do this just have you enter your cell phone number and then they call to verify it. If that isn’t secure enough, how secure is this process?

    • Jenna Y.

      Great question, Wayne. Thank you for your comment. We take protecting the public’s personal information very seriously. All of our online applications use an identity verification process to protect the privacy of your identity and your Social Security information. Using our online services to file for benefits is safe and secure. In addition, our goal is to provide helpful information to as many people as possible. Sometimes, we use Facebook ads, like this one, to share this information with millions of people and provide you quick and convenient access. Our ads are legitimate and trustworthy.

      Creating a mySocialSecurity account is safe and secure. You can create an account to review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. Thank you for signing up for an account with us!

      • Wayne

        This didn’t answer my question. How do I activate the extra security so that my cell phone is called whenever I or anyone else attempts to log into my account. I am unable to use the three options provided by your system to verify my identity when trying to sign up for the extra security. So HOW CAN I GET IT STARTED?

        • Wayne

          Finally got an answer from another phone call to SSA. After going to great pains to help, unsuccessfully, one of your agents advised me to try my local SSA office. I called them today and was told to bring some ID to the office and they can activate the multifactor authentication (text to cellphone) option for me. I was very happy to finally learn that SSA had implemented this capability and that I can now get it implemented on my account.

          • Ray F.

            We appreciate your feedback Wayne. Thank you for your support!

  4. Tony S.

  5. Morgan R.

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  6. Pa T.

  7. Love

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  8. Mitchell T.

  9. Oneida R.

    Nice post and information.

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  10. John T.

    If SSA wants me to text to them maybe they should give all of us a phone and pay our bill every month but don’t take it from our SS. What a bunch of dumbies

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