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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David
Safety is above anything else. I am happy you are doing this for us. SS Benefits are our base income in retirement stage so we cannot take the risk of been victims of fraud. Thank you for taking care of us.
Dianne S.
I’m sorry, with everything going on I have no trust in SS now and fear that saying this will put me on a list of people along with lawyers and other people who use freedom of speech and words that have been eliminated from our vocabulary.
Michael
Everyone has a family member or friend who can help them. All the negative comments remind me of people who live to complain without considering the true problem. But as soon as they are a victim they will be the loudest demanding reform and blaming those who tried to make the necessary changes.
Jim H.
I support efforts to identify and reduce waste/fraud/abuse. I DO NOT support the way that DOGE is going about it.
Debbie
Instead of cutting resources provided by an already over-whelmed service to taxpayers, reduce the outsider people and use the employees who know the system to look into all the fraud you say is there. That way people keep their jobs and find the fraud faster?
Jim H.
“Use two-factor authentication with SSA’s “my Social Security” service”
Many seniors have no idea what you’re talking about
“Visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity.”
Easier said than for many seniors, due to mobility issue or distance to an office.
Dexter F.
With fraud everywhere being a big problem, staying ahead of fraudsters is paramount. However, there are seniors that aren’t computer literate or cannot drive to social security offices. Seems like there has to be a way to make telephone usages more secure. Also, with the reduction of 7,000 workers I feel the reduction will result in how it used to be at the social security offices whereas offices were very overcrowded with customers and it was nearly impossible to reach social security by phone which is another big blow to the elderly.
Terry W.
Thank you for thinking of security and fighting scams by phone. It may not be convenient for some, but it is necessary to prevent fraud and abuse. People don’t like change but in this fast-growing technological world it is required to combat the criminals.
Also thank you for trying to root out the fraud and mistakes that are wasting tax payer money. I hope something can be done about some people scamming the Social Security Disability system.
Ann E.
How much direct deposit fraud is actually happening? During the 40 years I worked for the agency it was very rare.
Mark B.
If 40% of direct deposit fraud comes thru phone calls, how is the other 60% happening? Teleservice agents carefully screen callers—maybe improving the screening process makes more sense than eliminating a convenient way for people to access SSA services—obviously another way for DOGE to destroy SSA
Terry W.
Sometimes security is needed over convenience. Would you rather the Social Security Agency do nothing and still let 40% of seniors get ripped off? They can still go to the local office and also do it online.
Bettina
A lot of comments on here misunderstand the information in the blog post. It says 40% of fraud is done over the telephone. It does NOT say that 40% of Social Security recipients are defrauded. The amount of fraud is not mentioned at all. The 40% figure is a fraction of an unknown fraction.
Social Security offices may remain open but the employees who work there are being eliminated.
I’m very concerned about destruction of systems that vulnerable people rely on. People who can’t drive, and struggle to use computers rely on the phone system.