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I recently received an email asking me to update my online Social Security account. Is this real or a scam?
The Social Security Administration sent out a legitimate email in July to inform recipients that it is making changes to the way you access Social Security online services, including your personal My Social Security account. The changes will simplify your login and comply with federal authentication standards, as well as ensure secure access to your account and other online services.
If you created a My Social Security online account before September 18, 2021, you must go to a Login.gov Account to continue to access your account. If you already have either a Login.gov or I am account, you do not need to do anything.
Through My Social Security accounts, both beneficiaries and those not yet receiving benefits can access services such as requesting replacement cards, estimating future benefits, checking the status of benefit claims, and managing current benefits.
The online services are designed to save time for both current and future beneficiaries, as well as the Social Security Administration (SSA), which has struggled with excessive wait times on its toll-free hotline. The average response time to those calls was about 36 minutes in the second quarter, according to the SSA. The agency’s goal is to reduce the average wait time to 12 minutes by the end of September 2025.
Update your account If you already have a My Social Security account, go to SSA.gov/myAccount and log in with your Social Security username. You will be guided through the process of creating a new account with Login.gov. Once you have successfully linked your personal account to this new account, you will receive a confirmation screen and have immediate access to online services. In the future, log in to your account via Login.gov.
Beware of fraud To make sure you are taking the correct steps to update your account, it is important to check any websites or links that take you to the Social Security website. The legitimate link to the Social Security Administration website is www.SSA.govand the agency link to “my social security account” is www.SSA.gov/myaccount.
It is very important to be on guard against potential scammers who will send you fraudulent websites claiming to direct you to the Social Security website. These websites closely mimic the format of the agency’s links and try to trick you into entering your personal information. If you see a suspicious email or link, it is best not to respond to it or click on it. Instead, you can report it on the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General website or call the fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.
“Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to NBC’s “Today Show.” This and similar columns can be read through the American Legion’s Planned Giving program. This allows you to establish your support for the organization while also providing for your current financial needs. Consider naming the American Legion in your will or trust fund as part of your personal legacy. For more information on the process and the various charitable programs you can benefit from, visit legion.org/plannedgivingWhen you click on “Learn More,” you will see an “eNewsletter” button that you can use to sign up for regular information from Planned Giving.
