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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Kate
I applied for social security on February 1, 2025 at age 68 1/2. The ssa website says I will receive a letter within 30 days regarding approval or if they might need more information. It is March 14th and I have received nothing in the mail. My ssa account shows the application in process step 2 out of 3. I started calling ssa last week and have called every day this week to get a message that says the wait time is more than 120 minutes and they would call me back. Not one call back. Today I was put on hold for 4.5 hours listening to their music before I gave up. I want my money!
S.S.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Kate. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor during your next call or visit. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can also submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this is resolved soon.
LeRoy E.
I just hope I can qualify for some food assistance soon. It costs me so much to try to eat healthy because of my heart failure and now gas costing so much to drive. But I pray for every one to be blessed too. Especially Pres Trump and his family it must be hard for them to listen to nothing but complaints! But at least the excessive unnecessary spending is being ended to protect our future!! God bless all and socks sec workers too!! 🙏
Nunya B.
Social Security was already understaffed. You’re just trying to ease us into no longer getting what we paid into.
Paula M.
I am sickened and angered by the actions of the current administration. He must be stopped. We Americans have worked all of our lives to receive the social security benefit. I have paid into the system since I was 16 years old. Unfortunately for us, it only seems natural for this convicted felon wants to do more damage to the country and the people. Dismantling 50 yaers of work around the world to raise the standards of all. He must be stopped. Look at the impact his policies have had around the world now because of USAID, and here with the destruction of Dept. of Educaiton, not to mention the negative impact of all the other Executive Orders. Plus the fool embraces our enemy–Putin. What is wrong with this fool who has all this power to hurt our country. Stop him now!!!
LC
SSA is firing thousands of employees even though wait times when calling are already a problem. You’re telling seniors, many of whom aren’t comfortable with computers, to use 2 factor authentication. That’s not going to go well
And if they don’t use the SSA website, they’ll have to go to an office in person. When you are closing offices. Terrible.
DOGE isn’t cutting fraud and waste, they’re just slashing the number of employees at agencies Musk doesn’t like.
AL
Can’t even contact local office by phone anymore…it just disconnects after waiting in queue for so long. National Line has estimated 3 hour wait…it’s absolutely ridiculous to have to go and sit for 3 hours in line at the office just for something simple. They are quick enough to take money away …..but don’t give you reasonable opportunity to contact them. I filed an appeal in 2023 on an overpayment decision…still waiting for it to be adjudicated. Just had my ssdi switched to ssi with no explanation and cannot find out why…..leaving me out over $1000 each month. How am I supposed to report changes as required under these circumstances???
S.S.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, AL. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor during your next call or visit. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can also submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this is resolved soon.
Gloria J.
I think it can be a lot better to go to the local social security office and make the changes needed.
Lewis W.
Not so. Finding waste, fraud and abuse will keep SS strong for decades to come.
Joyce
I had what I considered a special need and so I walked into the office a few days ago and I was told that no walk-ins are now allowed. I would need to make an appointment and that they were 10 days out before I could make an appointment. I went home and called Social Security, and it said that I would be number 70 on the waiting list of people to be called. That meant That I could not expect to be called at all, and I have not been since I went into the office until and then called when I return home! Inefficiency really is very prevalent with many people suffering as a result‼️
Sarah
I was awarded a certain amount from social security but they said there keeping the change.. I ask why since I was AWARDED this money and I worked for all of it and there response was because they can.,,,, I want all my money back plus interest!!
Becky
Do not mess with my social security. I paid into this for 50 years. Tell Musk rat to leave us alone.
S. L.
Not used to senior population showing rudeness towards a person trying to stop fraud and waste in our gov’t agencies. SSA reported themselves, that 40% of their fraud is from people calling in and changing bank info. of recipients, therefore, eliminating phone in changes. Any changes have to be in person at SSA, or done @ bank. 🥲 Muskrat not problem!
Lewis W.
Dodge is only after waste fraud and abuse. They will not cut any legal recipients of SS.
Lois W.
I think that only the rich matters, to take money out our money is horrible, because we are already having a rough time making ends meet. This is unbelievable, because only the rich matters
Eric J.
Elon and Trump are cutting out the fraudulent waste. Good job !!
Dick
YOU are a Dick Head
Samantha H.
May your benefits be the first cut, then.
John B.
The more they cut the more taken from decent hard-working people and goes in their pockets in the form of more shameful tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. Billionaires welfare sickness.
Theresé
How?
Barb
BULL! They’re looking for $$$ to give to their rich buddies as tax cuts. I no way will the deficit be reduced by them stealing from the less fortunate to give to the rich.
Me
What a joke! They ARE the FRAUDULENT WASTE!