How to Protect your Social Security Account

"...The massive Equifax data breach has exposed 143 million Social Security Numbers. Armed with those nine digits, an identity thief can go online and take control of your Social Security account and have your benefits sent to them.

Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum, says there is a way to protect yourself.

"The Social Security Administration has a really good online system that allows you to watch your Social Security information like a hawk,” she said.

Open a my Social Security account and you will block the crooks from creating an account in your name...."

Read more at KomoNews.com

Social Security Backs Off Cellphone Requirement

"...After an outcry from older Americans, as well as a letter from two United States senators, the agency backed off the cellphone-based code requirement.

“Our aggressive implementation inconvenienced or restricted access to some of our account holders,” said a statement emailed by an agency spokesman, Mark Hinkle. “We are listening to the public’s concerns and are responding by temporarily rolling back this mandate.”

The change means users can log on to their online “mySocialSecurity” accounts as before, with just a username and password. If they want, they can choose the text option as added security feature, as has been the case since the accounts were first offered in 2012...."

Read more at The New York Times

Social Security Accounts Online Now Require Cellphone

"...For some seniors, their texting skills -- or lack thereof -- are locking them out of their Social Security accounts because of a new security measure added this week.


It's a security practice most of us are familiar with. When you enter your username and password, a text message with a code is sent to your phone. You then enter that code on the website to get access to your account.


In the case of the Social Security website, a new code is required each time you log in because it expires after 10 minutes. So if you don't have a cellphone that receives texts, you can no longer log in to your account...."

Read more at CNN Money