Social Security Announces Halt on Accepting Bank Changes via Phone

As of March 12, the U.S. Social Security Administration has announced that it will no longer allow individuals to change their bank account details during phone calls with the agency.

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), all other phone services will remain available, countering inaccurate reports suggesting otherwise.

The SSA’s investigation into fraud concerning direct deposits found that approximately 40 percent of such cases stemmed from individuals calling to modify their bank account information.

“The current method of simply asking identifying questions over the phone is inadequate for preventing fraud,” the SSA indicated.

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“These measures are consistent with those used by most major banking institutions. All other services provided via telephone by the SSA will remain unaffected,” the agency emphasized.

“Social Security is safeguarding seniors by ensuring bank accounts are not modified with minimal authentication,” DOGE added.

Services still available by phone include the ability to change one’s address and phone number or to request updates on benefit application statuses.

The SSA has previously urged individuals to make use of the agency’s website instead of calling.

Social Security benefits are provided to retired individuals, their family members, people with disabilities, and survivors of deceased individuals who had paid Social Security taxes.