Cell phone required to access your 'My Social Security' account

Sounds phishy to me.

It might be, I went to the Social Security website and there was no info there about this being a new universal process.

The email you mention didn't originate at SS. It's "subscription services", a well known phishing originator. List it as junk and then block it forever.

That is scary and people are going to fall for that! My husband has been getting emails a lot lately that appear to be from accounts that he uses such as Amazon or ebay telling him he needs to log in and update things. The email addresses are always crazy sounding though...you have to check who it comes from. Then only go to your accounts via your web links that you always use, never through an email link! You should report that email as a phishing scam.

Wow. That doesn't even remotely sound right!

What does lend it some credibility is that on the Social Security website, if you click on 'learn more' for info on how to set up an account, it shows how to request 'extra security':

What is extra security?

You can opt for extra security to provide your account with an extra level of protection. If you’d like to add extra security, you must use a cell phone with text messaging each time you sign in. This extra protection ensures that you are you. Because no one else has access to the text message we send to your cell phone during sign in, this adds even more security than a regular secure sign in.

If the following statements are true for you, the extra security is an option for you:

• I am comfortable answering an identity verification question online
• I have a cell phone that I use regularly
• My cell phone can receive text messages
• I’m comfortable receiving a security code on my phone each time I sign into the system

Each time you want to access your account you will:

• Enter your username and password.
• Request a new security code be texted to your cell phone. (You will just have to click one button.)
• Enter the security code sent to your cell phone.

Remember:
The code will expire after 10 minutes, so you will need to have your phone nearby when you try to sign in to your account.

Remember entering your cell phone info is a way for your account to have EXTRA Security. Not a must have to access your account.

Many websites will send a code (through cell phone) that you use when you have forgotten your password. The code is used as a temporary password so you can reset yours.

I think Maddielee is right - it is an extra security step. I remember doing that last year when we looked up our accounts. Have not logged on since so don't know how it works going forward.

I just spoke to an SSA rep (I got the email this morning) and this is TRUE. If you wish to access your account after 7/30/16 you will need a text enabled cell phone number. You will log in as normal, then you will receive a one time code to enter in order to continue to your information. If you do not have text on your phone, or no cell phone, you will have to call for your information.

As my fathers phone does not handle text, I can use my phone number for receipt of the code.

IMO, it would have been nice to have had more notice, but the rep told me that they just got training on it this morning!

I got that email this morning too, PK. I was wondering if I needed to go in now and put my cell phone number on there. I don't know if it is there now or not.

2 factor authentication is a good way to keep your account more secure. I would encourage others to use it whenever possible.

Old Lady here. Why do you access your Soc. Sec. information online?

My husband got that yesterday and I was all over it checking out if it was legit. It is as pkramer said. Yes it is a hassle but it is a protective step. The problem with it is that a lot of people still don't have texting abilities even if they are able to get online. My husband hates texting but I have been trying to get him used to it because even work uses texts now. His work bank account which he is one of the few with direct access has been using various methods of authentication. So that part is not new to him. My email accounts ask for a cell phone number for the form of security. To let you know when strange activities occur on your account.

"2 factor authentication is a good way to keep your account more secure. I would encourage others to use it whenever possible."

How about 2 passwords? Or, 3 passwords. Or 4 passwords? All FREE!!!

You don't get it. A mobile phone costs money therefore the government is discriminating against poor people. It would be a different story, if the government supplied free mobile phones and service but they don't even allow it as a tax deduction. That is hypocritical and immoral.

I received it too. We rarely go to the SS website, maybe a couple times a year or not at all. Why would a person need to do this? Chisue wonders as well.

It's true, what aruzinsky says, not everyone has a mobile phone.

Using 2, 3, 4 or more passwords does not make your account any more secure. Someone that can hack into your account using one password could just as easily do it with multiple passwords.

2 factor authentication guarantees that, after entering your password, a secret code is sent to a second device (your phone) which you must enter within a certain amount of time.

A hacker can't easily get this unless it is someone who has stolen not only all of your login credentials but also managed to steal your personal phone.

I'm sorry that it frustrates you but I don't see this as the government discriminating, I see it as the government doing everything they can to keep your account secure for your protection.

How angry do people get when they find out that their accounts have been hacked? This is just an additional security measure.

I just logged in to my SS account. No where did I see anything about changes being made that require a cell phone. (I am another one who does not understand the need to check the account, never have had a problem with the benefits being correct and on time.) Neither my husband or I have received an official email stating the changes. Be sure it's not a phishing attempt.

I'm not understanding why I would want to sign up to access my Soc. Sec. info online. We even froze our credit reports a decade ago to lessen 'exposure'. All these passwords and triple-checking are not going to make 'online anything' safe.

I still think the email is a phishing scheme!

contact your Senators and Representatives in Congress. They can fix this. Quite frankly, I don't give my cell # to anyone but friends and others I choose, so am not giving it to SS.

I have had to access my acct online before, like once when I was gathering info for my CPA at tax time and had not yet received my statement from SS (it arrived 2 months later) with my income info for the year. I was able to print it off the website.

eta: I just checked my gmail account that I use for things like this and I do have the email. It is from an address at ssa.gov, so I believe it is legit.

If enough people get up in arms about it, Congress can set SS straight.

Well, it is possible that it is both true, and a phishing scheme. It seems I remember an announcement on the Social Security site that they would be inaccessible for some hours in the next day or two. If you can't access the site and you get the email, some people might be tempted to use the link.

Olychick, you are not required to give your cell phone number, if what they are saying is true, it is only needed if you want to access your account online.

"If enough people get up in arms about it, Congress can set SS straight."

If it is real, and it sounds like it may be, why get up in arms about it?

Either supply your cell # for Security or don't. If you don't, call them to get the info you may need.

Much ado about nothing much.

If you've EVER tried to call SSA by phone you might be a little less flippant about it. Last time I called I was on hold for 75 minutes AND the person I talked to couldn't help me - she was just able to make an appt for me 3 months in advance! And that was just for a phone appt. If this new requirement increases the # of people using phone contact, I can't imagine how long the wait might become.

I just wrote this to my Senators and Congressional Rep, if anyone else is interesting in copying and pasting some of it:

"Dear Senator____, I just received an email from SSA that beginning soon, no one will be able to access their account online unless we provide a cell phone with text messaging capabilities as a security measure. They will text a temp code to access your account.

This is outrageous, as many, many people do not have cell phones with text capabilities. They can have any number of ways to provide an access code
including a voice message to any phone, just as many other companies do. Too many elderly folks are already subjected to 60 minute waits to access a live person at SS. Online access is one way around that. Unless the US govt is going to provide text enabled phones, I think this is really a bad, bad idea.
Thank you for your time."

After reading about this on HT I called the local office to check it out. Wait time was 35 minutes or I could've scheduled a call back. I hung up instead.

I've also had to schedule a phone appointment a month in advance. Since it wasn't about anything pressing it was no big deal. We have cell phones, but don't pay for texting. Now that we're enrolled and getting automatic deposits I can't foresee a need to contact SS. If I have to I'll just call. No biggie.

As far as enrolling, although I could do that online I still had to visit the office to complete the process.

This is not a phishing scheme but legitimate from SSA. I spoke with them just this morning. I did not use any of the links in the email, but rather did a Google to get there and obtain the phone number.

Olychick, my wait time was less than 5 minutes when I called at 8 am.

Maddielee, they told me that the systems will reflect the new change on August 1. Downtime will be on Sunday, 7/31 as they update the system.

Fully 92% of American adults own a cellphone, including the 67% who own a smartphone.

Much ado about nothing indeed. The few who are too stubborn or bullheaded to use this security measure can simply go back to standing in line or waiting on the phone for hours, as everyone always had to do before internet access was widely available.

If you want the convenience of online access, you should use the security measures that go with it.

I'm sure they'll find a way around the phone security measure. What then?

Some of my accounts at other places allow you a choice of how to receive the security code, phone, text, etc. I don't understand why SSA cannot do the same. And just because a cell phone has text capabilities doesn't mean that the owner is paying for text services.

We can just disagree about whether or not this is an undue burden on people without a text enabled phone. And I am fully aware that I can chose to do this or not.

"I'm sure they'll find a way around the phone security measure. What then?"

Good question. But it seems that in terms of security, the bad guys are always just one step behind the good guys. I guess it is a never-ending process.

Regarding the post above about "poor people" - there are Obamaphones for that.

Quote

"Additionally, to protect citizens’ personally identifiable information further, we continue to improve authentication for our online services. In compliance with Executive Order 13681 (“Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions”), we are changing our current multifactor authentication process formy Social Security from optional to mandatory for all users. Upon implementation this summer, all customers must enter a username, password, and a one-time passcode texted to a registered cell phone in order to access their my Social Securityaccount. In the future, we expect to offer additional multi-factor options, pursuant to Federal guidelines. The National Institute of Standards of Technology is working on a revised guideline, and we are providing input into that process."

https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_052616.html

It isn't an undue burden on anyone because accessing your account online is a convenience that is offered, NOT a requirement.

The government has NO obligation to make a convenience equally available to all by providing cell phones, etc.

I'm sure there are millions who never access their social security online, this will have no affect on them.

As I said before, if you want the convenience of online access, you should use the security measures that go with it.

Does it even have to be your own phone? As long as you send the phone number in, and have that phone handy to retrieve the code sent, do they actually verify whether the phone is yours or a relatives or a friends?

The subscription scammers have been around a long time.

Look at your email. Is it from subscription.service@ssa?

It's a SCAM! Ignore any SS clerk that says it's valid. Sheesh!

Scam, Scam, Scam

Chisue many do not have the ability to go to a SS office to take care of things which is the main reason to have an online account. I have used mine to change my bank account and to change the amount of taxes being taken out of my SS. Like a lot of people 85% of my SS is taxed and I do not want to worry about saving enough to be able to pay when tax time comes around.

Brushworks,

Did you see my post where I surmised that it might be valid and a scam at the same time? If the program is valid , the scammers still could send out phishing emails dovetailing with the date this is all supposed to start. The scammers just want people to click their link and provide info.

They seem to have skillfully timed their emails to coincide with SSA downtime, making it more likely that they will get some clicks from folks that can't access SSA because it will be down.

Bushworks it's not a scam did you read the link I provided above? Directly from the ssa.gov.It's going to be implemented in August. I was screaming scam too but I did the work to actually find out that it's not, just Google it and there's plenty of information about it.

I don't know how great the use of the cell phone will be since they just said how easily cell phones are being hacked these days. My husband has had to access his account online but not often, however it was so much easier and definitely faster than the other methods. I agree not everyone has text on their phone, my mom never had a cell phone. I know a lot of seniors that don't have cell phones but most of them would likely not be accessing the site online. You are the one that provides the cell phone number for your account it's not up to them to make sure it's your phone and like was mentioned earlier you can use your son or daughter or someone else you trust if you don't have your own cell phone. They can't do anything if they don't have your user name and password for your ssa account. The bank issues my husband a little device that will provide him a one time unique numerical code which he must enter with in a few seconds or its no good and he has to get a new one. I guess something like that could be an option instead of cell phones.

Maifleur -- Thanks for telling me how you use the online option. I asked 'why'; you're the first to explain how it's useful to you.

http://www.techlicious.com/tip/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cell-phone-account-identity-theft/

Good information to glance over, we want to at least try to keep our cell phones secure. I don't lose sleep over it but stay updated.

Just be aware that it could be a scam email and not the real deal...be sure who is sending it. Better yet, go directly to the website yourself and go from there...don't access it through a link in any email. This makes it even riskier because there is a real email going around and now there's going to be fake scams sending out emails also...sheesh! What a CF!!!!!

The email is a scam.

If it's SSA, they use https, not subscription.services@ssa.gov

"

Texas_Gem

Fully 92% of American adults own a cellphone, including the 67% who own a smartphone."

That's irrelevant. What percentage of people over age 61 own cell phones? I bet not much.

Restricting internet access to SS accounts only for those with both internet access and mobile phones will mean that more tax money will have to be spent employing people to answer phone calls.

Funny you should ask, 78% of adults 65+ own a cellphone. Interestingly though, only 55% of that same demographic own a computer.

I wonder how many of those who own phones but NOT computers use the internet to access their social security?

I think SCAM! I haven't gotten any such email... yet?!? Sounds like something aimed at someone who probably knows just enough about internet and cell phones that they believe it's true! I would print out a copy and go TO the SS office for advice.

I posted a direct link to the ssa.gov stating that this is legit. What more do y'all want? Go to the ssa.gov site your self and Read. I would never use a link in any email to get to a site that's common sense always type in the address in the url box. Not this email or any other emails just don't do that. Here you go and look! It's https and ssa.gov!

https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_052616.html

My email doesn't look very professional. Kinda home made-ish.

"Some 78% of adults ages 65 and older own a cellphone, compared with 98% of 18- to 29-year-olds."

Those cell phones must be to talk to their children because most of their friends are dead. So SS is discriminating against old people without friends and children to talk to. How thoughtful of SS!

Aruzinsky, you've made a false assumption that older people only have older friends.

Has anyone looked into whether one even needs to own a phone, or whether with their permission, the phone of a friend, neighbor or relative can be used as long as you send the number in and have the phone available when you want to check your account?

raven, what we are saying is that it could be a fake one pretending to be the SSA and really be a scam.

After a long conversation with an SSA agent and having it verified that the email is legitimate, I can only say that come Monday you should try for yourselves and see if you need a cell number to access your information.

I just can't get over all this "it's a scam" denial. I never anticipated it because there is no way that a scammer could profit from this. To these people, please, pretend that it is real and tell me what you think.

"Aruzinsky, you've made a false assumption that older people only have older friends."

Some of them only have older friends. While attending a funeral of an elderly neighbor, I heard an old woman crying that all of her friends were passing away. These are the people who are collaterally damaged by SS policy.

>> That's irrelevant. What percentage of people over age 61 own cell phones? I bet not much.

>> While attending a funeral of an elderly neighbor, I heard an old woman crying that all of her friends were passing away.

WHAT?!? Aruzinsky, how old are you? You seem to have a seriously flawed impression of people that are no longer in their 50s.

And of course the elderly have friends that are passing away. What do you consider elderly, anyway? Anyone over 61? I can't imagine that, with what I'm reading into your attitude about age, you're out of your 30s yet. Maybe even your 20s.

I can't believe that August is almost here! What happened to the rest of the year to pass so quickly.

"with what I'm reading into your attitude about age, you're out of your 30s yet. Maybe even your 20s."

I'll be 70 this September. And, you seem about 12 years old for even caring.

Can't we discuss this and exchange opinions without resorting to personal insults?

Haha.

The email is clearly real. I got one and thought nothing more of it until coming upon this thread.

There's an irony with this. Two-step authorization measures are implemented, in part, precisely because people get hysterical about security and perceived risks. So the very measure used to address those who are worried about security, is distrusted by those same people and leads to more feelings of risk and insecurity.

Too many folks, especially oldsters, don't want to be confronted with truth or fact that conflicts with a view they've reached and want to cling to. It's unbelievable. Those of you who want to think of the email as being phony are entitled to do so. Just don't be shocked with what happens the next time you try to sign in to the SSA website (you'll be asked to supply a cell phone number to receive a text). I just tried it out, it works fine.

Those who don't have a cellphone can call or visit a SSA office. This isn't a big deal, it's just an added security step for web access. Yawn.

"The email is clearly real. "

The policy seems to be real. Whether the email is real or phish isn't as clear.

I got the email. Questioned it at first. Did research. Lots of info about it on the web.

It's legit. No big deal.

One reason to use the site is to get proof of your SS income.

I heard on NPR yesterday that Social Security has rolled back the requirement to receive a text to access your account online. Apparently there was a huge uproar about it from recipients, so sometimes complaining (even to the gov't) works.