One unfortunate part of our lives nowadays is that we have to be skeptical of any email, text message, or phone call we receive. Often, the random messages we receive are from someone trying to sell us something or get us to click on a link that will let them steal our personal information. Safeguarding our privacy has become a full-time job.
The downside of this distrust is that sometimes we will receive something that looks like a scam but it turns out to be a legitimate communication. If we’re lucky, a brief internet search will provide clarity on the message. However, verifying a potential email or text message can be time-consuming and frustrating.
This situation occurred recently when the Social Security Administration (SSA) changed how individuals access their website. For years, you could access your social security information through the SSA website (SSA.gov) by registering and using a simple username and password. Your login gave you access to your annual benefit projection and other information, allowing you to verify that they were tracking your wage information correctly. Verifying the accuracy of this information is very important since it directly impacts your benefit at retirement.
The U.S. government has slowly changed its login requirements to strengthen their security and prevent data breaches as well as adhering to federal authentication standards. The two primary tools that are in use currently are Login.gov and ID.me. Here is a quick primer on those options:
Login.gov: this is a secure sign-in service used by the public to sign in to participating government agencies, allowing you to log in to multiple agencies with one credential.
ID.me: this is similar, but it requires you to upload pictures of government documents (passport, driver’s license) and a selfie. The system then uses AI algorithms and facial recognition to authenticate the documents and compare those pictures to the selfie submitted. It’s a little more invasive than Login.gov which is why two systems are available. If you don’t want to upload pictures and documents, use Login.gov instead.
If you tried to access the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website in the past couple of years, you would have been prompted to register under one of those two systems. Once you register through one of those two systems, that new authentication will allow you to access most government sites. It’s a good idea, one authentication to rule them all.
That brings us back to the recent email communications that sparked some concern. The SSA decided to update their systems and switch everyone to the new authentication, syncing themselves with the other government sites. They put a notification on their website and sent emails out to anyone who was registered originally with a simple username/password combo. Unfortunately, their email looked like a scam and many Americans worried that someone was trying to get them to login to a fake SSA website which would then steal their personal information.
Rest assured, this change is real and it will happen by the end of the year. You don’t have to click on anything in the email that you received. However, if you want to continue using the SSA website (and, frankly, most government websites) you will want to sign up with one of the new authentication systems as soon as possible.
The SSA website has instructions for transitioning your account using your current login information. If you go to the “sign-in” section at the top of their website (www.ssa.gov), you can select “sign in with social security username.” After you sign in, you will be asked to create an account with login.gov, which is the easier place to start (without requiring facial ID). If you get stuck, login.gov has 24/7 customer support and can assist you with the process.
If you decide you want a higher level of security, you can sign up for an ID.me account as well. This choice is entirely up to you and based on your own personal comfort level. If you have already signed up for one of those two systems previously (because you were trying to access the IRS website, for example), you don’t have to do anything – just keep using that login when you go to the SSA website in the future.
Life can be scary at times, and we have to be alert, especially when it comes to electronic communication. There are a lot of bad people out there who want to trick us, so just be careful and know that there are still some legitimate emails that come through your inbox – like this recent one from the SSA. Register today so you can keep reviewing your retirement information – this will be extremely important for you now or in the not so distant future.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to one of the advisors here at John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc. – we are always here to help.
