The first problem here is that people old enough to be on social security are less likely to have the kind of phone required—partly because we can't see well enough to use smart phones and partly because we don't need it for business purposes and aren't on the road as much.
The second problem is that it looks like the authentication method they just started using is in the process of being banned by the National Institute of Standards and Technology because it isn't secure anyway. If someone steals your phone, they've got the keys to your kingdom.
I contacted someone in the agency responsible for policing the accessibility of federal websites; and he says he is attending a meeting later today about this problem. I got the impression that the online account access system may have been done by a subcontractor who didn't know what they were doing.
We have the same problem. Only use voice for phone. Funny. Google has a fix for this. If you don’t text, they will call your phone and leave a voice message.
And if you ever saw the movie “Cinder House Rules” - the main message is - Those that make the rules don’t live here!
You don’t ID to vote
Why do you need ID to collect social security?
I don’t have a cell phone of ANY KIND.........................
so they can monitor your calls and if you say “Gun” they can cut off your benefits
This is why I use a lockout code for my phone. Nothing’s 100% but it beats having a phone people can just swipe and get to everything in it or that it has access to.
Having an unsecured smart phone today is the equivalent of having an open wi-fi at your home.
For anyone who's curious, following is the text of the email notification that was sent out by the SS people:
Starting in August 2016, Social Security is adding a new step to protect your privacy as a my Social Security user. This new requirement is the result of an executive order for federal agencies to provide more secure authentication for their online services. Any agency that provides online access to a customer’s personal information must use multifactor authentication.When you sign in at ssa.gov/myaccount with your username and password, we will ask you to add your text-enabled cell phone number. The purpose of providing your cell phone number is that, each time you log in to your account with your username and password, we will send you a one-time security code you must also enter to log in successfully to your account.
Each time you sign into your account, you will complete two steps:
Step 1: Enter your username and password.
Step 2: Enter the security code we text to your cell phone (cell phone provider's text message and data rates may apply).The process of using a one-time security code in addition to a username and password is one form of “multifactor authentication,” which means we are using more than one method to make sure you are the actual owner of your account.
If you do not have a text-enabled cell phone or you do not wish to provide your cell phone number, you will not be able to access your my Social Security account.
If a “textable” phone number is required, Google Voice ought to work.
I tried this when I first got the email. They sent the code, but when I entered it the system said it wasn’t working currently and to try again later. Lol....about what I expected.
Tying access to a cell phone is absurd.
According to this study:
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http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/29/the-demographics-of-device-ownership/
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70% of American adults over age 65 DO NOT have a smartphone.
Please ping when you get anymore info. I very seldom give my cell phone number out.
Now this new rule -- people [read OLD, WHITE, REPUBLICAN, VETS] need to jump through a special (jammable) hoop to get funds -- while all the illegal Rat voters continue to pour across border, unfettered by forms, fees, requirements for their automatic benefits & Motor-Voter cards. Like we can't SEE that all this is happening...
In my 70s I’ve been receiving SS retirement benefits for years. I have an old TracFone that stays in my vehicle for emergencies only. I normally use my land-line. I can’t say I remember ever doing anything over the internet with the SSA. When I applied for retirement benefits, I went to a local Federal bldg. My benefits are direct deposited every month and any notice of change to my benefits or Medicare premium and my SSA 1099 are mailed to me.
How will this effect me if at all?
And it doesn’t work with Verizon Wireless phones.
I know, I am currently locked out of my account, because I use Verizon.
They don’t need to steal your phone. Call forwarding, Soviet.
We got emails saying they were implementing it - sounds raciss against minorities to me - they need to get the “judges” that find such proof of who you are to vote to be unconstitutional to review this plan.....
I know cell phone providers advertise that they serve everywhere—but they lie.
Here in NW CT many of us do not have cell service at home.
So this discriminates against rural people as well—jerks.
Hmm, just managed to sign up for an online account,
You have to have a good memory and access to prior years w-2s on hand. I’d bet that most people won’t have the necessary information available at their fingertips like myself.
That isn’t fair.
Our President doesn’t even HAVE his own SS number but WE THE PEOPLE need to jump through hoops. I am not seeing any difference between the serfs working the king’s land in return for one spot of land for themselves, and us today.