Correcting the Record About Social Security Direct Deposit and Telephone Services
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 26, 2025
Recent reports in the media that Social Security plans to eliminate telephone services are inaccurate. SSA is increasing its protection for America’s seniors and other beneficiaries by eliminating the risk of fraud associated with changing bank account information by telephone.
SSA continuously investigates and analyzes potential threats to strengthen and secure our programs and protect people who receive benefits. Approximately 40 percent of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with someone calling SSA to change direct deposit bank information. SSA’s current protocol of simply asking identifying questions by telephone is no longer enough to prevent fraud.
If someone needs to change their bank account information on SSA’s record, they will need to either:
- Use two-factor authentication with SSA’s “my Social Security” service; or
- Visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity.
These methods align with most major banks.
All other SSA telephone services remain unchanged.
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Corky G.
Maybe you aren’t changing the telephone access- because people protested-
It wasn’t the media making that up-
Beulah M.
Who do social security recipients believe? Dudek, a Republican Trump appointee. The party that has claimed S.S as an entitlement program instead of a publicly funded system that we the people have put our trust in for over 80 yrs to secure some financial stability in our retirement years.
Concerned
I live 1.5 hrs from my closest social security office. I am disabled. I have to renew my social security application once a year. I use the phone service to contact my case managers with questions. There are no options for transportation to and from the facility for me within my budget and I do not have any living family.
If you shut down the closest facility (many facilities are shutting down) and shut down phone service… I have no idea how I will be able to access my benefits.
Please stand up for the disabled and the Americans in rural communities.
Everything's O.
You can verify this information online, you do not have to go in person. That is false information. Did it for my disabled mother in law.
Deb c.
Do you have to prove identification if you’re already getting direct deposit for social security and disability
James
Visit a local office?!!! Insane advice considering that the Trump administration is aggressively eliminating offices and cutting back on Social Security staff. Be wary of communications like this during this administration, often propaganda spin on efforts to cut our benefits, one more of Trump‘s broken promises.
David M.
I don’t know of any promises that president Trump hasn’t kept ? some things aren’t happening because democrats stonewall his every intention but anyway I’m permenitly disabled and not worried about it everything will be fine as long as you’re really disabled and not being a lazy pussy you’ll get your checks.
Don F.
How about his oath of office?
LezlyeeA.
When you cut funding or eliminate positions in Social Security, you create bottlenecks that slow down the processing of claims, leaving seniors, disabled individuals, and other beneficiaries waiting longer for the support they need. The system relies on trained professionals who handle complex tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Firing these workers without fully understanding the day-to-day operations results in delays, errors, and frustration for millions of Americans who depend on these benefits.
Similarly, reckless downsizing in other industries—such as Elon Musk’s approach to mass layoffs—undermines essential functions. Musk’s decisions at Twitter (now X) have demonstrated how carelessness in leadership can weaken an organization’s ability to protect user data, maintain security, and provide reliable services. When someone with such a record has access to vast amounts of personal and financial information, it raises serious concerns about privacy and national security. Americans deserve leadership that prioritizes stability, security, and the well-being of its citizens over hasty cost-cutting measures.
ERICK G.
Your Tax Form SSA-1099/SSA-1042S
✔ Important Information If you are using a public computer, please be aware that when viewing, saving, or printing any documents, the computer you are using may store a temporary copy.
Download a Replacement Copy
You may download a copy of your SSA-1099/SSA-1042S for any of the past 6 years for which benefits were paid. This is a document that Social Security provides at the end of each year for tax purposes.
Choose a year:
2024
Download Erick Glen Gabriel
Veteran FBI SSA
Your Tax Form SSA-1099/SSA-1042S
SSN]382-980288
DOB 12/01/1986
✔ Important Information If you are using a public computer, please be aware that when viewing, saving, or printing any documents, the computer you are using may store a temporary copy.
Download a Replacement Copy
You may download a copy of your SSA-1099/SSA-1042S for any of the past 6 years for which benefits were paid. This is a document that Social Security provides at the end of each year for tax purposes.
Choose a year:
2024
Download
• If you have income in addition to your Social Security benefits, you may also need Notice 703, the IRS Worksheet for SSA-
• If you have income in addition to your Social Security benefits, you may also need Notice 703, the IRS Worksheet for SSA-
Patricia V.
Use your own private WiFi or cellular smartphone service to download data, never from a public desktop or laptop so data cannot be transferred to fraudulent activity.
Patricia V.
If you do not have a private internet service, an office visit may be necessary. Telephone waits are long due to staffing shortages, so please be patient.
I’d like to write the the Commissioner requesting that they hire back all their help as some service has to be done in person, such as to verify who one is in elder age to continue more benefits.
Jody J.
This process has left my husband without medication! His pharmacist notified us late Friday that he could not receive his medication because we had to prove his identity! This is putting him at health risk. It is a weekend and we are unable to get in touch with anyone! He has received his medication and Medicare for 20 years without any difficulty until now!
Very poor enactment for seniors!!!!!!!
Brad S.
Visit a local office? Have you tried making an appointment with a local office? It’s extremely frustrating and takes hours on the phone.
Pearl
If my local office closes, I will not be able to appear in person. And, I have friends who do not use a computer, so they will be left with virtually no options. PLEASE make sure that the Grand Junction, Colorado office remains open. Thank you
Gayle
Dear Acting Commissioner Dudek: It is suggested that you review and update the activities of the FBU staff at their offices attached to US Embassies to process and handle claims outside the US. It is extremely difficult to obtain Application Status from them. A case in point is the UK operation that first seemed very helpful in advising the claim processing. Specifically a claim filed in 2022 was approved pending the request for a Direct Deposit form 1199 which was submitted by the bank in early March 2025 and when queried if it was forwarded to US the response was that the claim was suspended despite the January request for it. We are stuck in The Gambia without any offered recourse? What to do?