Setting up online access to your Social Security account offers many benefits and prevents cybercriminals from opening an account in your name. It is easy to do online.

Go to Social Security Administration

You will be asked a series of questions that only you should know the answers to.

You will select a username and password and verify your account by entering a security code that they send to you.

If you have a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports, you will be required to temporarily lift those to create your account. Once your Social Security account has been successfully created you can secure your credit accounts again.

If you don’t want to provide this information online, you can visit your local Social Security office in person, and they will assist you in setting up your account.

Registering for an account prevents someone else from setting up an account in your name. If you have been part of a data breach and your name, Social Security number and other personal information has been stolen a scammer can use that information to impersonate you.

Benefits of Setting up your Social Security Account

Access to current and past statements.

Estimate your monthly benefits if you claim them early or at the full retirement age.

Update your contact information such as your address and phone number.

Verify your lifetime earnings.

Check for any errors in your statement and take the steps to correct any mistakes that are found.

Setup direct deposits.

Check the status of a pending claim.

Request a verification letter as proof of income.

Request replacement tax forms.

In the past Social Security mailed you a copy of your statement annually a few months before your birthday. They no longer do that. Now they only mail statements to workers aged 60 and older who do not have a “My Social Security Account”

You can file a request to have your statement mailed to you. Go to Social Security Forms and fill out form SSA-7004. Social Security Forms

If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, go to the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity theft website and file a report. Federal Trade Commission

Also file a report with the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. https://oig.ssa.gov/report/

Additionally, notify your bank, credit union and credit card companies that you may have been a victim of identity theft.

Points to Remember

Social Security will never ask you to verify your identity by giving them your Social Security number over the phone or in a text message.

They will never ask for your bank or credit card information.

They will never ask you to send them money or any type of payment.