Online Social Security Accounts & Threats to Your Identity

When it comes to especially sensitive data – like someone’s social security number that can be used for identity theft, it’s especially critical to know the dangers and how to best protect yourself.

Thanks to constantly expanding infrastructure and new technological innovations, more people across the globe can now connect to the Internet. Most would agree that the benefits far outweigh the risk, as going online has increased business reach, broken down communications barriers and changed the way we do just about everything today.

Then there’s the dark side. Everyday people become victims of identity theft and other online scams and threats. From large businesses to consumers – no one is safe from fraudsters.

To ensure the Internet remains a safe and acceptable place for work and play, it’s vital that everyone is aware of specific threats and safely protect the information they share via the Internet.

When it comes to especially sensitive data – like someone’s social security number that can be used for identity theft, it’s especially critical to know the dangers and how to best protect yourself.

Online social security accounts can mean more efficient access to data and services, but it also leaves an open window for theft. With more than 35 million Americans choosing the online option for dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the fact that they are no longer sending out regular statements, it means greater awareness of safety measures to take when using the Internet is key.

So how can you safely use the online channel for communicating and conducting business with the Social Security Administration? Here are our top 3 tips:

  1. Don’t Stay Away

Contrary to what might seem like opening up the opportunity of a breach, the SSA itself advises people to create an account. Instead of staying away and thinking that inactivity will keep you protected, it says it makes better sense to log in online and claim your account so no one else can.

  1. Stay Abreast of the Latest Security Breaches

The only way to protect yourself from new breaches and security attempts is to spot them and know what they entail before they make their way to you. Keep up with all security warnings, updates, patches, and fixes so your computer and network are never compromised. There are already confirmed phishing emails out there so be sure to check that the sender’s address is in fact from a .gov email and be cautious about opening any links or attachments.

  1. Use Extra Security Feature

The my Social Security site also offers extra security for those who want the added peace of mind. In addition to two-factor authentication when logging in, those who have provided financial information will also receive a written letter in the mail within 5-10 days requiring a response to add extra security to their account to protect their data. If you’re worried about your private information getting into the wrong hands, take the extra time to sign up for this feature.

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Online Social Security Accounts

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