This is not a scam: SocSec requires new log-in process

L

Lethe200

Senior Member
Location
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Bruce Arends is one of the most respected financial columnists today. I ran across this in the MSN News, where he's occasionally quoted. Please do share this with anyone you know who has an SSA account that was set up more than 3 years ago but has not yet set up the new log-in!

FYI, I just finished doing this, so a few tips:
  • The blue link simply leads to the SSA website login page – be sure to click the bottom button to update your account to the new login.gov site!
  • The log-in process will do 2 verifications: it will send an email with confirmation code to whatever email you designate as your contact email, AND then it will ask you to set up a secondary authorization method. There are several choices; if you pick a phone/text option, be sure to have your cellphone with you as SSA will immediately send a second confirmation code to that phone # to continue. You will also have the option to pick a third authorization method, but can skip this if you wish. The first two confirm steps are mandatory.
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This is NOT a scam: Social Security needs you to update your account
Translation: They are phasing out the old usernames and passwords. To maintain access to your account, you’ll need to log in using your old username and password and then follow the prompts to set up a new sign-in using Login.gov.
MarketWatch by Brett Arends 12July2024

You may have received an email recently from the Social Security Administration, telling you that you need to log in to your online Social Security account and update your details. It even includes a helpful link.

Many Social Security scam and phishing emails have made the rounds in recent years, so you may have assumed this was just another one. But as it happens, there is a genuine email landing in inboxes. We checked — and after we did, the Social Security Administration put a press release up on its website to make matters clearer for everyone.

The message? If you created an online Social Security account through the Social Security website before Sept. 18, 2021, you will need to log in and make changes.

“Customers who created an online account (e.g., my Social Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services,” the SSA says in a statement. “The agency is making the changes to simplify the sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services.”
 

papa tiger said:
Once a person is entitled to SS why keep an online account?
Even AT&T got busted into. The Government was proven to be archaic.
SS knows when you are dead.
Click to expand...
Oh no they DON'T.
When my wife died, I went to the SS office and was told in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS.....
....that....
IT'S A GOOD THING YOU CAME IN BECAUSE IF WE HAD PAID ANOTHER MONTH, WE'D HAVE TO GET IT BACK!!!

No wonder the waiting room is PATROLLED BY AN ARMED GUARD !!!!

THIS is the crap we allow our... 'public servants" ..... to abuse us with. :poop::poop::poop:
 
Earlier this year, I had trouble logging into my SS account with my ID.me account. Required about a half dozen attempts going around in annoying circles, uploading the same documents multiple times. I left some criticisms on the SS page explaining how their new system was flawed and confusing and they needed a better webmaster that could write clear instructions from the perspective of their audience and not just those familiar with the process. The process never up in summary front explained the steps that would be required and instead led me through an endless maze of NEXT...

As someone during my career often writing technical instructions and documents for others, I have a low opinion on how poorly even most supposedly educated intelligent people create instructions.
 
Thanks @Lethe200 for the heads up. I thought I was good to go but my email had changed since I 1st set up the login many years ago. I finally got in & changed my profile to show the proper email & login link to .gov. Tested twice OK.
 
I just searched for this news item at other reputable places.

IMO, MSN is NOT the most reputable place for news. Microsoft kind of sucks overall, IMO.

If this is true, why can’t I find article after article about it from CNN, NY Times, Chicago Tribune, etc. when I search for the topic of Social Security asking everyone to change to login. gov?

I would not panic about this everyone. If SSA issued a Press Release to tell all news outlets, I think they would all publish it, right?
 
Your new Bank can automatically move your IRS monthly benefit to your Debit / checking account.
Check your bank monthly to see the installment. Give the government your new phone number and
you automatically start receiving 10's of spam calls within a week and for months after. Same with land
lines. You sit down for dinner the calls begin. They have said that virtually no internet or Cellular is free
of intrusion now. Maybe the panhandler and homeless life is good now?
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the heads up Lethe200. I vaguely remember either receiving notification from SS via email or reading about this change a few months ago. It was long enough away that I didn't think any more about it. I went on to sign up for the new system. I got as far as them asking for a phone number, then I got an error message. I was relieved to find that after I disabled my VPN and went back to the verification email and clicked on Login.gov/help, it took right to where I left off. I chose only the "text me" feature for 2 step verification. I am glad I got this done before needing to access the site for something!

SS New Login.jpg

SS New Login 2.jpg
 
papa tiger said:
Once a person is entitled to SS why keep an online account?
Click to expand...

I've used mine a number of times. Once was to get the letter about my benefits that I needed to get a mortgage, then to change my address to the new address.
I also used my account to remind myself how much the Medicare part b cost (when it was increasing).
And I used it to put my daughter in as a person who can deal with them if I become incapacitated.

I haven't had to do it, but you can also change your bank account that you want the money sent to.
Could also be useful if you need a new copy of your Social Security or Medicare cards.

So, lots of reasons to have an online account.
 

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