Claim your my Social Security account (before a thief does)

What to have ready

• Social Security number
• A government photo ID
• An email address
• A phone number
• A phone or webcam for the ID photo step (ID.me needs a camera)

Step by step

1. Open ssa.gov/myaccount. New accounts are made through Login.gov or ID.me. If unsure, pick Login.gov.
2. Make the Login.gov account (email, phone, photo of your ID) and follow the steps.
3. Return to my Social Security and sign in with it.
4. Prefer that nobody, including you, can use your account online? Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (or visit a local office) and ask to block electronic access. You will be asked to prove who you are. Check this phone number on the official site before you call.

Open the official page

Opens ssa.gov, the official website.

Good to know

• Only use the ssa.gov address. SSA never asks you to pay to open an account.

How to undo it

To use the account again, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to lift the block.

Sources

We checked these steps on November 7, 2026 against:

• ssa.gov
• ssa.gov
• ssa.gov

Companies change their pages often. If something looks different, follow what the official page says.