Social Security no longer accepting bank account changes over phone to combat fraud

The Social Security Administration is no longer accepting bank account changes over the phone to combat fraud.

"To protect you from fraud, we will no longer accept changes to bank account information over the phone," the agency wrote in a post on X.

The agency elaborated on the change in a blog post this week.

"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," the post read. "These methods align with most major banks."   

The agency said other phone services remain up and running. 

"All other SSA telephone services remain unchanged," the agency said.

Media reports had indicated that the SSA was going to end phone support services as a cost-saving measure.