To protect your personal my Social Security account, secure the Login.gov or ID.me account you use to sign in: choose a unique password, enable a supported multifactor authentication method, and keep recovery details current. Start at ssa.gov, review your account and earnings information periodically, and contact the sign-in provider and Social Security Administration (SSA) promptly if anything looks unfamiliar.
How personal my Social Security account access works
Personal my Social Security accounts use Login.gov or ID.me for sign-in. The SSA says Social Security username sign-in ended on June 7, 2025. If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, you can use it; otherwise, create one through the SSA account page. Login.gov is a government sign-in service, while ID.me is a separate identity-verification and sign-in service. Neither is an SSA-owned product.
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Go to the SSA account page and follow its sign-in or account-creation link. Do not use a link in an unexpected email, text, or social-media message to reach the sign-in page. The SSA recommends Login.gov for many people in the United States and says ID.me serves users inside or outside the United States. Requirements and provider options can change, so consult the current SSA comparison and the provider’s own help pages before setting up an account.
| Setup consideration | Login.gov | ID.me |
|---|---|---|
| Already have an account? | You can use an existing account. | You can use an existing account. |
| Materials listed by SSA | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and phone number. | Email address, government-issued photo ID, and a camera-equipped device. |
| Location noted by SSA | SSA recommends it for many users in the United States. | SSA says it serves users inside or outside the United States. |
| MFA and recovery | Options depend on the account; check current Login.gov instructions. | Options depend on the account; check current ID.me instructions. |
These are setup details described by the SSA, not a guarantee that a given method will be available to every person or remain available indefinitely. The practical choice is often the provider you already use, or the one whose identity-proofing steps, authentication methods, recovery process, and support are workable for you. The SSA page lists different materials for the two providers, so check whether you have access to the email, photo ID, phone, or camera-equipped device needed for the route you choose. For the current comparison, see SSA’s account page; for sign-in help, use Login.gov Help or ID.me Help.
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Secure the sign-in account that controls access
Use a unique password
Choose a strong, long password that you do not use for email, banking, or other websites. Reusing a password creates a route into your Social Security sign-in if another service suffers a breach. If you suspect the password has been exposed, change it through Login.gov or ID.me using a page you reached independently, not a link from an unsolicited message.
Because Login.gov or ID.me is the sign-in account controlling access to my Social Security, securing that provider account is the central account-protection step. The SSA account page remains the safe starting point for reaching the sign-in route. If you already use one of the providers for another purpose, make sure you know which email address and recovery methods belong to that account before you begin changing settings.
Turn on multifactor authentication
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires another proof of identity in addition to a password. Choose a method currently supported by your provider and account, and follow that provider’s setup and recovery guidance. SSA says a mobile phone number is not required. Its July 2025 FAQ names security keys, landlines, and backup codes as phone-free options; actual availability depends on the provider and account.
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A security key is optional, not a requirement. Before buying or setting one up, confirm that your Login.gov or ID.me account supports the device and follow the provider’s instructions. A key can help authenticate a sign-in, but it does not secure a compromised email account or replace account-recovery steps. Free alternatives listed by SSA include a landline or backup codes when the provider makes them available, so do not assume you need to buy hardware to protect your account.
Keep recovery information current and private
Make sure you can access the email address and recovery methods associated with your sign-in account. Protect the email account with its own unique password and MFA where available. Do not share your sign-in account or email address with another person. The SSA says each customer must have a unique account and unique email, and warns: “You should not share your account or an email address with anyone, including a spouse or other family members.”
That rule matters even when a relative is trying to help. Sharing one account or email address can undermine the individual account setup and make it harder to know who controls recovery details. Each person should use a separate account and email address. Keep recovery methods private, and update them through the provider’s official settings or help process rather than responding to a request that arrives unexpectedly.
For accounts created on or after September 18, 2021, SSA says contact information must be updated through Login.gov or ID.me, rather than through SSA. Provider support can help with password changes, email or phone updates, authentication methods, face or touch unlock, and identity proofing. SSA itself can help block or unblock electronic access, deactivate an account, and provide phone identity verification for most users. See SSA’s account help information and the relevant provider’s current instructions.
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Can you protect your account without a cell phone?
Yes. SSA says a mobile phone number is not required for either sign-in provider. Depending on the provider and the options currently available on your account, a security key, landline, or backup codes may allow authentication without a mobile phone. Check the current provider instructions rather than assuming every option works with every account.
Store backup codes somewhere private and separate from your phone, if your provider offers them. Do not send them to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly or enter them on a page you reached through a suspicious link. If you have lost a phone or changed your number, use the provider’s official account-recovery process; provider support can assist with updating contact details and authentication methods.
If you do not want to enter a cell number at all, begin at the SSA account page and review the current provider choices and instructions for phone-free authentication. The SSA lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes as possible options, but which ones appear depends on the provider account and its current support. If you cannot complete the sign-in or recovery steps with the methods available to you, contact the provider directly for help rather than trying links in unsolicited messages. For accounts created on or after September 18, 2021, SSA says changes to contact information go through the provider.
How to recognize a fake Social Security message
Use the address bar to verify that you are on an official SSA page. The agency says official Social Security links begin with https://www.ssa.gov/ or https://secure.ssa.gov/. Type ssa.gov yourself or use a saved bookmark, then navigate to the account page. A familiar-looking display name or caller ID does not prove a message or call is genuine.
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- Stop if an unexpected caller, email, or text pressures you to act immediately, share sensitive information, or send money.
- Do not reply to an email requesting personal information. The SSA says most of its email comes from a .gov address and advises caution with a sender that does not end in .gov; sender details alone are not proof that a message is genuine.
- Find contact information independently on the official SSA site before responding to an unexpected request. Do not use the phone number or link supplied in the message.
- Report or review suspected impersonation using the SSA’s scam guidance.
The SSA’s scam-awareness guidance dated October 1, 2026 describes impersonation attempts designed to get people to share information or send money. Treat those demands as a reason to stop and verify through official channels. If you are unsure whether a message is real, do not decide based on its logo, tone, display name, or caller ID. Leave the conversation and independently open the SSA site or locate its contact information there.
Links in unsolicited messages can appear to lead to a familiar service while taking you somewhere else. The safer sequence is simple: do not click; type the SSA address or open a bookmark; navigate to the account page; and look up contact details yourself if you need to verify a request. The same caution applies to messages claiming that an account will be suspended or that you must pay to resolve an issue. Verify before sharing information or sending money.
What to check in your account
Review your my Social Security account periodically, especially after a suspicious message or a notice that your sign-in details may have changed. The account can show earnings history and benefit information and, depending on your situation, can be used to change direct-deposit details, address, or phone number.
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- Look for earnings or benefit information you do not recognize.
- Check contact information and direct-deposit details for changes you did not make.
- Pay attention to unfamiliar account activity, such as a changed email address, phone number, or authentication method.
Check the details relevant to your situation, not just whether you can still sign in. For example, someone who can access the account may have changed contact or direct-deposit information without making an obvious change to the earnings history. If a detail is unfamiliar, note what it is and when you noticed it, then contact the appropriate provider, SSA, or bank through official contact information.
The reviewed SSA guidance does not establish that the agency sends an alert for every account change, so do not rely on alerts as your only check. A missing alert is not confirmation that nothing changed. Periodically reviewing the account and staying alert to information you did not authorize are useful complements to securing the sign-in itself.
What to do if someone accessed your account
- Use a trusted route to reach your provider. From the official Login.gov or ID.me site, begin account recovery if you cannot sign in or believe your password, email, phone, or authentication method was changed. Provider support can help recover access and update sign-in details. If you can still sign in, use the provider’s official process to review or update your password, contact details, and MFA methods. Do not use a recovery link supplied in an unexpected message.
- Contact SSA about electronic access. Ask the agency about blocking or unblocking electronic access or deactivating the account. SSA can also provide phone identity verification for most users. Its listed number is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; check the current SSA contact information before calling. Provider support handles sign-in recovery; SSA handles its own account-access actions. You may need to contact both.
- Address unfamiliar direct-deposit information quickly. Contact SSA and your bank using independently verified official channels. SSA’s April 28, 2025 identity-proofing guidance says that a person unable to access an account who needs to change direct deposit must visit a Social Security office to prove identity. It says benefits continue to go to the bank account already on record while that verification is handled. Confirm current instructions with SSA because procedures can change.
- Secure related accounts. Change any reused password, particularly for the email address tied to your sign-in, and update its recovery methods. Review financial accounts if you see signs that the same credentials or personal information were used elsewhere.
- Separate account access from SSN misuse. If you find evidence that someone used your Social Security number to open an account or make a purchase, follow the identity-theft route below as well. A suspicious sign-in and broader identity theft are connected possibilities, but they are not the same issue and may require different next steps.
If you need to speak with SSA, use the number and office information listed on its official contact page rather than a phone number in a suspicious email, text, or call. SSA can help block or unblock electronic access and deactivate an account; the provider is the place to resolve a Login.gov or ID.me password, email, phone, MFA, or identity-proofing problem. Knowing which organization handles which part can prevent a delay while you are trying to restore access.
If your Social Security number may have been misused
Unauthorized access to your my Social Security account and misuse of your Social Security number (SSN) are related but distinct problems. If someone used your SSN to open an account or make a purchase, SSA directs people to IdentityTheft.gov for an identity-theft recovery plan and Federal Trade Commission reporting guidance.
If personal information was lost, stolen, shared, or exposed but you have no evidence of misuse, SSA says you do not need an FTC Identity Theft Report just because of the exposure. Consider checking your credit reports, placing a credit freeze, and monitoring for unfamiliar activity. The distinction is practical: known use of your SSN calls for the FTC recovery plan and reporting guidance, while exposure without known misuse calls for checking and protective steps rather than filing a report solely because the information was exposed.
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SSA also describes electronic-access blocks. An eServices block prevents online viewing or changes, which means you will also be unable to use those online services until access is restored. This can be a protective measure if you believe someone else is accessing the account, but it also restricts you as the account holder. Ask SSA about available blocks and the process to restore access before choosing one. Review SSA’s fraud guidance and contact SSA to ask which block, if any, fits your situation.
Credit checks, freezes, and monitoring are steps to consider when information has been exposed; they do not recover access to Login.gov or ID.me and do not replace contacting SSA about suspicious changes. Start with the free SSA and FTC guidance that matches what happened. The reviewed guidance does not establish a need to buy a monitoring service, and no paid product can substitute for account recovery or official identity-theft steps.
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Keep the recovery route matched to the problem
| What happened | First response |
|---|---|
| You cannot sign in or suspect the sign-in credentials changed | Contact Login.gov or ID.me through its official recovery process; contact SSA about electronic-access options. |
| Direct-deposit information looks unfamiliar | Contact SSA and your bank using contact details you verified independently. |
| Your SSN was used to open an account or make a purchase | Use IdentityTheft.gov and follow the FTC recovery guidance. |
| Information was exposed, with no known misuse | Consider credit checks, a freeze, and monitoring; an FTC Identity Theft Report is not required solely because information was exposed, according to SSA. |
| You want to prevent online viewing or changes | Ask SSA about an eServices block, understanding that it also prevents you from using those online services until access is restored. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I protect my Social Security account from hackers?
Use a unique password for the Login.gov or ID.me account that signs you in, enable an MFA option supported by your account, and keep recovery information current. Start from the official SSA site, do not share the account or email address, and periodically review earnings, benefit, contact, and direct-deposit details for changes you did not make.
What should I do if someone accessed my my Social Security account?
Use the official Login.gov or ID.me recovery process if you cannot sign in or suspect sign-in details changed, then contact SSA to ask about blocking electronic access or deactivating the account. If direct-deposit details are unfamiliar, contact SSA and your bank independently. If your SSN was used for a purchase or new account, use IdentityTheft.gov as well.
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Do not rely on a display name or sender address alone. SSA says most of its email comes from a .gov address and advises caution with senders that do not end in .gov, but that does not establish that a message is genuine. Avoid replying to requests for personal information. Navigate to SSA by typing ssa.gov or using a saved bookmark, and independently find official contact details to verify an unexpected request.
Can I protect my account without a cell phone?
Yes. SSA says a mobile phone number is not required. It lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes as possible phone-free options, depending on the provider and account. Check current Login.gov or ID.me instructions for the methods available to you.
Who should I contact: SSA, Login.gov, or ID.me?
Contact Login.gov or ID.me for sign-in recovery and help changing a password, email address, phone number, or authentication method. Contact SSA to ask about blocking or unblocking electronic access, deactivating the account, or verifying identity by phone for most users. Use both when the problem involves both sign-in access and the SSA account.
Should I report exposed information to the FTC?
If someone used your SSN to open an account or make a purchase, SSA points people to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan and FTC reporting guidance. If information was exposed but you have no evidence of misuse, SSA says an FTC Identity Theft Report is not needed solely because it was exposed; consider checking, freezing, and monitoring credit instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I protect my Social Security account from hackers?
Use a unique password for Login.gov or ID.me, enable supported MFA, keep recovery details current, avoid sharing the account, and periodically review your SSA account details.
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What should I do if someone accessed my my Social Security account?
Recover access through Login.gov or ID.me, contact SSA about electronic-access blocks or deactivation, and contact your bank and SSA if direct-deposit details changed.
Can I protect my account without a cell phone?
Yes. SSA lists security keys, landlines, and backup codes as possible phone-free options, subject to current provider and account support.
How can I tell if a Social Security email is real?
Do not rely on the sender name or address alone. Avoid replying or clicking unexpected links; navigate to ssa.gov yourself and verify through official contact information.
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Contact the sign-in provider, Login.gov or ID.me, for account recovery. Contact SSA separately about blocking or unblocking electronic access or deactivating the account.
What if my Social Security number was used by someone else?
Use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan and FTC reporting guidance if your SSN was used to open an account or make a purchase.
The Bottom Line
Protect the Login.gov or ID.me account behind my Social Security with a unique password, supported MFA, private and current recovery options, and periodic account checks. Reach SSA and the provider through official channels if access or account details look wrong; use IdentityTheft.gov if your SSN was actually misused.
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