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

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer accept banking information changes over the phone for direct deposits, starting March 29. Beneficiaries must now use an online process with two-factor authentication or visit a Social Security office in person. The measure seeks to prevent certain types of 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 Social Security Administration provided more details about the change in a blog post this week.

To protect you from fraud, we will no longer accept changes to bank account information over the phone. Check out today’s blog to learn how you can change your direct deposit: https://t.co/Q77nEEQzuo pic.twitter.com/U203QL6s4t

— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) March 12, 2025

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.

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

Some media reports had suggested that the SSA was planning to discontinue phone support entirely as a cost-saving measure, though the agency has not confirmed such claims.

"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," the agency clarified. 

Late last week, the Social Security Administration announced it would resume withholding entire benefit checks from recipients who have been overpaid, undoing a Biden-era policy that had capped monthly clawbacks at 10%. Officials say the change will help the government recover an additional $7 billion over the next decade, according to Yahoo Finance.

For years, Social Security deducted overpayments in full, leaving some beneficiaries without any income until their debt was repaid. That changed in March 2024, when the Biden administration implemented a 10% limit, ensuring that affected individuals could retain most of their monthly benefits while gradually repaying what they owed.

The latest decision rolls back that reform, reinstating full withholding for new overpayment cases starting March 27. The 10% cap will still apply to recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which supports the nation’s poorest elderly and disabled individuals.