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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THOMAS U.
I wanted to change my banking info for direct deposit, thinking that the change would now occur in one day, but the SS website only gives me the option to have the change implemented in June or July. That is 2 or 3 MONTHS in the future. What gives?
Mark
I just called in a bank account change yesterday I have done this before and it always takes effect the next day. The agent said if you do it online it is supposed to make the change the next month no more.
Heather
Same here. Did mine on march 31, change will occur in july.
Margaret R.
I am still confused about this new change for April 2025. I have been receiving social security for 7 years, I have no change in my direct deposit accounts and no change whatsoever regarding anything to do with my account. No name change, no address change, everything is status quo. Do I have to go down to the Social Security Office in person for any reason? Do I have to go down and prove who I am all over again? This is scary and confusing.
LC
NO!!
Richard S.
I get my deposit at the end of the month. I just received a deposit on the 4th of April for only 33 dollars in my bank with a different ID number than had previously been used. i recently had checking accounts opened in another bank account that i dont use. They took a cash advance from a credit card connected to that account. Im concerned if my regular Soc Sec deposit will be affected.
Ronald W.
Live on balanced budget now ss is changing my direct deposit date how am I going to pay my bills on time
Ronald W.
I been drawing ss 2yrs will this affect my direct deposit date
Frank R.
It shouldn’t change. But if it does, you can try talking to Social security, or probably A LOT easier would be to talk to your utilities and other places you pay bills to, explain the situation and have them change your Billing Due Dates to a few days AFTER your new direct deposit date for your Social Security bank deposits. They can prorate your bills to help you cover the cost of the days between your old and new Direct Deposit, so you won’t be paying the entire difference at once. Unfortunately you will spend some time on the phone doing it Either way. Good luck to you sir.
Thank the chaos of the times and the “Aliens” we didn’t Invite or Welcome, no matter What Planet they live on.
Cynthia A.
It’s not so easy to change your billing date! I have tried…
Deborah B.
I applaud the changes to SS policy to protect those of us who receive benefits. The two factor authentication works well and makes things safer. It is also actually faster to go to a local office than it is to ever get a call back from SSA. We can even assist my 97 year old Mother to access her online mySSA account. Not nearly as hard as people make it out to be.
Vicki
Has anyone else noticed their deposit date being changed from the 3rd to the 9th with no notification? Also, past deposit dates are incorrect.
NowStupid
yes vicki – i did notice
Meleaha H.
Yeah, I called my card company and they said checks will go out as normally they got the information from Social Security office.
Melissa D.
My mother and I both, have yet to receive our deposit today. Has never NOT been there in the morning. I have ZERO confidence it will be there tomorrow.
C.B.
Hi, Melissa. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. If you did not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
Cynthia
I called to and I get two days early pay. Mine was late but figured banks are safe guarding their money now in case we get cut off? Hands off mine Trumpty Dumpty!
Don B.
Have you EVEN READ what the posts are saying ?? This is simply one more lie that the left idiots are trying to use to blame on Trump…..So childish. Do you want your social security wide open for any hacker ? They’re trying to help you KEEP your money. Are you not capable of understanding that ? Just get Chime account or a Credit Union and stop whining about it.
Ronald W.
Yes no notification from email or letter in mail
Frank
Sorry this is happening to you. I don’t work for THEM. I am not trying to make you more upset….but are you SURPRISED!!?? Im sure both Yes and No. Why is it the people who write here, (average folks) have more sense than THEM and 99% of the Powers that Be and Work for Thee?? I do hope it gets better for you. Me? Well as they say, I will potty in one hand and hope into the other and see which fills….you know..
Theresa D.
I have been getting the sempty posit in the same bank for years. Do I have to go to North Platte to schedule an in person verification of my social security deposit?
S.D.
Hi, Theresa. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You do not need to visit a Social Security office to verify your identity if your direct deposit information hasn’t changed. For more information, check out our What to Know about Proving Your Identity webpage. We hope this helps.
Sally B.
I understand about SSA direct deposit fraud and 2 factor authentication. What if a fraudster creates an online account (instead of calling) and tries to change the direct deposit to another account or to a paper check but does it in 2 steps: first changes the mailing address and later changes direct deposit to another account or a paper check? If the person has been getting SS for many years and there’s no cell phone or email address on file, how does SS do a 2 factor authentication? Thank you.
JoeF.
online accounts require id verification through id.me- which requires copies of your id(drivers license) and a selfie- to match the photos- so your theory isn’t going to happen
Sully
Lolololol what if but what if but but but
Pat M.
Your comment is very informative because it’s the “what if” scenarios that fraudsters look for.
Frances G.
I am scheduled to get my first SS check on May 3. I have not received the letter you supposed to get 30 days ahead but my online account says I am appproved. Do I need to go in person to provide identification since I have not received any payments yet?
S.S.
Hi, Frances. Thanks for using our blog. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove your identity if you’re not applying for cash benefits and if you’re not changing your direct deposit information. You will continue to receive your benefits on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security’s records without needing to prove your identity. We hope this helps.
BST
How do I check to see if someone fraudulently changed my 99yr old mother’s direct deposit information? She does not have an online account. She did not receive her direct deposit this month, but did receive her other 2 federal pension deposits on time.
Jakleen S.
Same thing happened to me. I did not wait for their letter, i made an appointment and went to the ssa office and and took care of the matter. Then it took 30 days after that to receive my first check.
Bryan
Can you link to the research paper and statistics where this 40% of fraudulent calls is coming from? A claim like that needs through vetting and there is nothing listed here were an informed citizen can follow up with. Thanks for the transparency!
Nubia R.
Hey boys. Why are you posting answers to other comments that came in after this one. WHERE ARE YOUR SOURCES? Back up this claim please.