When you’re keen to log into your My.SSS account to check contributions, apply for a salary loan, or handle essential transactions, encountering the “Your Account is locked” message can be quite frustrating.
It’s a common issue among new users of My.SSS who get locked out due to mistakes in login credentials or forgetting them altogether. If you’re facing this problem, you’re likely not alone.
But don’t fret. This article will walk you through straightforward steps to regain access and unlock your SSS account.
Why Is My SSS Account Locked?
Your.SSS account can be locked if you enter an incorrect user ID, password, or both, at least five times consecutively. This is often due to unintentional errors in login details.
SSS does not display the password entered as dots, making it difficult to confirm its accuracy. Members may also need to remember their user ID or password and make several attempts to guess them.
If you have forgotten your password, follow these steps to reset it instead of risking locking your SSS account through incorrect attempts.
If your SSS account is locked, here’s what you can do.
The first step is to stay calm. With most SSS transactions now conducted online, unlocking your account can be done without visiting an SSS office.
Whether you’re an individual member or an employer, the process to unlock your account is similar. You must provide your CRN or SSS number (or Employer ID number for employers) to recover your account online.
Your CRN is on your UMID card, while your SSS number is the unique number assigned when you first registered with SSS. If you need clarification or need to remember your SSS number, refer to this guide for different ways to retrieve it.
Steps to Restore a Locked SSS (Member) Account
If you’re an individual SSS member with a blocked or inaccessible account, here’s how you can reset or retrieve it:
- Visit the SSS website and access Member Portal
- Select the “Forgot User ID or Password?” link.
- Select Your Preferred Account Recovery Method
You have two ways to recover your account:
Using Your Email Address
The first choice involves receiving a link to reset your account via your registered email. To proceed, you’ll need to input your CRN/SSS number and solve a captcha. If you forget or misplace your SSS number, consult a guide for assistance in retrieving it.
Ensure there are no spaces or special characters in your CRN or SSS number. If the system returns an error stating that your number isn’t on record, try submitting it again—it might take a few tries for the system to recognize it.
Answering Security Questions
Alternatively, you can answer security questions you set up previously. Before proceeding, provide your CRN/SSS number and respond to these questions.
I personally set up two security questions while I still had access to my account. If you haven’t set up security questions yet, it’s advisable to choose Option 1 instead to avoid being locked out.
Check the Email from SSS and Reset Your Password
Make sure to check your spam or trash folders if you haven’t found the notification in your inbox yet. Notifications may take some time to arrive, so please be patient. In my case, I received the notification around 20 minutes after requesting it.
Once you receive the email, keep in mind that the password reset link will be valid for 120 hours before it expires.
Option 2: Answering Security Questions
Another way is to answer the security questions you previously set. Before proceeding, you’ll need to provide your CRN/SSS number and your answers to these security questions.
When creating your new password, make sure to follow these guidelines:
- Your password should have 8-20 characters, combining letters and numbers.
- The first character must be a letter.
- Avoid using any special characters in your password.
- Ensure your password is different from your user ID.
After confirming your new password, click Submit. You’ll then be able to log in to your account using the updated password.
