The Social Security Administration sends people letters about their benefits for many reasons. Some of these letters confirm that action was taken to change something, such as your address.
Read these letters. They are important. Especially if the letter is confirming a change made to where your Social Security payment is sent, for example, to a different bank. The letter is sent as protection for you.
For example, if you contacted Social Security to change where you payment goes, such as to a different bank account, the letter is confirmation that action was taken and tells you the effective date of change.
What if you received a letter like this but did not make any change? Do not ignore the letter. It might mean that thieves are trying to hack into your Social Security record in order to have your benefits sent to an account they control. There have been instances of this across the country.
Contact Social Security immediately if you receive a letter about a change in your bank direct deposit that you did not authorize. If phones are busy, be patient. Call the national Social Security toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 / TTY 1-800-325-0778 (hours of 7:00am – 7:00pm, local time) or contact your local office. SSA national and local representatives use the same computer system to help you.
Protect yourself. Social Security does not send email asking for personal information nor do representative’s cold call for information. When you contact us, information is needed so that your questions can be answered. The difference is that you made the call, it was not unexpected.
Do not ignore letters from Social Security about your benefits, especially one about a change that you did not authorize.