I have some follow up about Social Security.

[yellow dahlia]

There have been a few threads about Social Security in the past couple of days.

I started paying close attention, because I got a (supposed) email from Social Security on Saturday.

I called my local office today. I used the phone # for the local office, which I had in my file.They answered within a few minutes.

Here are some things I learned;

1) The information officer said - SS did not email me. That's what I thought. She said I could report this to the IG. I am holding off for now, because I do not know that I can trust the management at SS - so unfortunate.

I explained to her that yesterday I logged into my account w/ the username and password I created, when I signed up for SS a couple of years ago. (As part of that process, I received a verification code on my phone.) Once on my portal page, I was instructed that I should change my sign up method to login.gov or ID.me. I did not do so, because I had seen on this forum that people were being required to upload a photo of themselves. I was not going to provide Eloon and his hacker punks with the ability to use facial recognition on me. (After they also have all my personal info also - no way.)

2) The woman at SS told me - I do not have to change my log in method. She said I can continue to use the old method of logging in w/ username and password.

3) She said I will not be required to upload a photo ID for identification.

She has answered some questions. But other questions remain. Why are people on this forum having experiences contrary to her information?

I have heard one DUer say they received a text inquiry from SS - that should not be so. I have heard more than one person say they were required to upload a photo. One DUer mentioned uploading a video, and doing a virtual interaction of some sort, as well.

I am not sure of the complete story about login.gov. I spoke to someone at my Congress critter's office, and they were able to determine that it is. Here is what I may have figured out. It is a log in provider for many governmental agencies, that has now been incorporated into the Social Security sphere. How that happened, I don't know. Whether or not it is the best option for us to use w/ SS - I don't yet know.

I plan on pursuing this further, and will keep you all informed.

If you have any unusual interactions to share, please do. I will try and "catalogue" them.

[marybourg]

1. Thank you for this unusually accurate and easy-to-understand OP

[yellow dahlia]

3. Thank you!

I believe we need to be accurate and informative, especially in this circumstance.

[Chemical Bill]

2. I wonder if the...

Muskovites are sending out emails without telling anyone else at Social Security.

[FHRRK]

4. Thanks

I was one who posted about the original login not being accepted.

When I get home tonight I will give it another try and post update.

[yellow dahlia]

6. I am interested to hear.

If you can stick w/ the original username and password method, that would be my inclination...for now. And I would absolutely discourage providing photos...but I am not an expert in any of this.

We need to figure out what is going on.

[FHRRK]

66. No luck - now I am NOT currently collecting SS Benefits

When I go in using the old method it does require me to enter username/password then sends a security code to my phone.

Once I enter the code I get the page that states I MUST create a login.gov account.

Able to create a login.gov account but during the process it wants to send a text to complete process. That is the issue, a text is never sent, tried a phone call option, no luck. So next I will try a Authenticator app.

So it could be due to me NOT currently collecting SS so they are pushing me to new platform.

[FHRRK]

70. So I finally got in - Using id.me

Took a phone call to finally get CA Drivers License validated.

To add to this complete shit show - I can't believe any MFER is stupid enough to let Mango Mussolini and team to cut benefits.

[Attilatheblond]

48. My log in doesn't work all the sudden. SSA says snail mail with code is coming.

I have a security key to use for US GOV sites as I get a small OPM widow's pension and the key works to get my 1099 form. That worked a couple months ago, but it won't get me on to gov SSA site.

Elon just loves screwing things up for kicks, causing panic and stress. He needs psychiatric help. Wish he would ride his damned atmosphere damaging roman candles into space for his thrills and leave the rest of us alone.

[yellow dahlia]

5. I forgot to mention - the website has been sketchy in the past month.

It has been down on several occasions. I have no idea why.

[wishstar]

7. Back in January I had to wait almost 2 weeks to get a password code in the mail

to set up the SS account and thought that was strange, but I was never asked for photo ID. I already had a Medicare account and a login.gov for FEMA application. The code worked fine but sometimes the SS website is down and then if I wait a while, its back up. A friend told me today he is having problems getting his SS account active and that he was going to have to provide photo ID.

[Rebl2]

62. Wonder why

some are being asked to provide a photo, and others like me aren’t asked to provide a photo. I set mine several years ago. Makes me think it’s only people just now setting up their accounts that have to provide a picture of themselves.

[RandomNumbers]

8. Never click links in email or text from Social Security or IRS

or pretty much anywhere, actually. Go to the legit website and find the function you need, or support for whatever it is that the email or text claimed you needed to do. 99% these are going to be scams.

Heck, I followed above advice for a letter I got in the snail mail a few years ago. (I forget if it was IRS or SSA). Turned out that one was legit but I was able to do what I needed to do by going through the website.

Sorry if this is pedantic at this point. Apparently scammers are still able to catch some people with these tricks.

All that said, one of my big concerns about the Musk bullshit is that they make it less easier for people to get help the safe way, and thus might help the scammers out because people will be more likely to click sketchy links when they can't get through in other ways.
But Musk doesn't give a shit WHO he hurts. Fuck him and his minions.

[slightlv]

21. With all the data they have on us,

Musk and Doge will BE the hackers that attempt to scam us!

[Trueblue Texan]

42. I was the one mentioned about uploading my DL...

I would never click a link in anything unless I was doing a secure verification...I can't remember what it's called, but you have to initiate the verification. When I had to re-verify my account--though I already had a login.gov account--I was trying to log in to SS. They required me to get the ID account.

[anciano]

9. Thanks for the OP.....

I set up a login on login.gov recently. But a few days ago when I tried to log in, I got a screen that said I had to verify my identity. It required a photo of the front and back of my DL and a facial photo. A screen then came up with all my info, including my phone number. But when I had to reenter the phone number for the final code to be sent, I got a message that the phone number was invalid (the same number they just indicated that was my phone number on file).
So I called the SSA folks (had to wait about 4 hours for a return call), explained the situation to them and they advised me to contact the support team at login.gov. But the issue with that is you only get an automated menu with no option to talk to a real person.
So I tried to sign in the old way, and got a message that since I had previously signed in with login.gov, I could no longer use the old way.
So I then went to ID.me and created an account with them, but they also now require the photo ID, etc. procedure like I experienced with login.gov. But at least I can now access my account again.
It seems at this point that everyone is having a different experience of some sort.
So I am totally confused and frustrated.

[yellow dahlia]

10. Interesting. I will add your story to my "catalogue".

Some things aren't matching up. I am trying to get to the bottom of it.

[anciano]

12. Thank you again, please keep us updated!

[yellow dahlia]

13. Will do.

Can you believe this is where we are at this age?

[Attilatheblond]

49. Seems Elon is breaking things internally and then will call us all fraudsters for trying to do our legitimate business

He wants to demand we go online, but keeps us from doing so.

[dcweed]

11. One view on the log-in issue

I had to create a Login.gov account a few years ago to obtain a government security card. I also used it to create a SS account last year. It has always worked, including 5 minute ago. It does require two-factor identification, so I have it text me the code. No problems to date. W

[Random Boomer]

51. This was also my experience

I created the Login.gov account to access my social security, a transition that was fully explained on the SS website (not from an email).

My impression is that they are (desperately) trying to streamline the login protocols to one standard, but that means shifting people away from the other means of doing this. Always painful for everyone, but ultimately for the better.

[Chemical Bill]

58. If that's what they want,

why don't they let everyone know?

[Random Boomer]

68. As I recall, it's right there on the website...

On the page where they describe your options. If not, then I'm probably just filling in the blanks. To me, as an IT-adjacent person, it seems self-evident. For people who are not IT savvy, I'm not sure that explanation provides much clarity cause "technical".

[Chemical Bill]

71. Some of us don't go to the website...

but I'm saying why don't they tell workers in the local Social Security office who answer the phone? It seems that not everyone at Social Security is on the same page.

[Random Boomer]

72. If you don't go to the website, then you don't need login.gov

This discussion is about login credentials for the online SS website. The instructions for what logins to use are on the website, right where you would need them. If you don't want to use the website, then none of this discussion about login.gov credentials applies to you.

As for why workers may not have consistent answers, SS is understaffed and overworked. That situation is about to get 10 times worse.

[JMCKUSICK]

14. Thank you Yellow Dahlia

I've bookmarked your post.

[vapor2]

15. I tried to use login.gov

and went around in circles. Website said I needed an activation code so referred to a recent letter from them with that code. There was NO code on this letter but after a zillion steps I managed to acquire login.gov

[StarryNite]

16. My old username and password no longer worked.

I was told I had to start using either login.gov or that other one, whatever it's called. So today I took on the task of switching to login.gov. I was prepared for it to be a real hassle. It wasn't. I had to give them a new email address because my old one that I created my original SS account with didn't work. Then I gave them my cell number and they texted me a code number. I got right into my account with no issues. I did not have to provide a any other ID and no photo. It was very simple. I just hope it keeps working.

[RobinA]

63. I Had This Exact

experience about a month ago. I had an account for years but I had to start over with login. I had no problem at all, possibily because I already had an account. I just figured it was the usual rush to privatize and make everything much more cumbersome.

[StarryNite]

64. With this bunch we have to assume they are up to no good.

[Joinfortmill]

17. I've used login gov. since last year.

No issues. I think it is/was very secure They did not ask for a photo. Never had/used a video or even knew there was such an option. That sounds very suspicious.

I've been collecting social security for 10 years. The only way they have ever contacted me was by mail using the address on file.

Be very careful out there, people. If you receive anything saying it's from Social Security, don't respond directly or click on any link. Instead, login to their site.

[Trueblue Texan]

43. All the stuff I had to do began with the SS site.

I would never click a link in any email, website, or text.

[SharonClark]

18. I got one of those scam emails this morning.

Started out by stating it was from the “official” Social Security office and there was a link to click on. Instead of clicking on the link, I went to the legitimate Social Security website, tried to log into my account and there was a message that the system was down.

[yellow dahlia]

35. Yes. The system was down for a bit this morning. The person at my Congress critter's office

told me that.

Good for you for not clicking in the wrong place.

Let me know if you get through w/ your sign in procedure - using the "old school" username and password.

I am trying to get the picture of what is going on. Some things are not "adding up".

[yellow dahlia]

36. I just had a thought.

Does your last name actually begin w/ a C? My last name is early in the alphabet. I am thinking that we are getting the emails first. Mr. Dahlia's last name is later in the alphabet...and he didn't get an email yet.

[calimary]

19. Wow! Thank you, yellow dahlia! That's A LOT of work you did there!

Thanks so much!

Seems to me this “deep intel” stuff should be shared WIDELY! Knowledge is power. And in cases like this, knowledge is protection!

Knowledge is the BEST defense.

The more you know, the less the bad guys can victimize you.

[yellow dahlia]

33. Thank you!

I say, knowledge is power...all the time.

[relayerbob]

20. Watch out for scammers.

I received a legit letter from them a day or two ago, and it was plastered with warnings about scammers. Just because someone says they are from somewhere, doesn't mean they actually are.

[yellow dahlia]

31. Exactly! n/t

[BidenRocks]

22. I use the VA for health care.

They changed from myhealthevet login to ID.me or Login.gov. I picked ID.me.

I received an email from SS telling me I had a message. unrelated.
I could have used my old SS login but went with IDMe.
Now I'm good across all government sites.
It was a January message showing the paydays for 2025.

[Puppyjive]

23. Here is the deal

I work for social security until April 18th. I am done after that. They want you to do most of your business online. In order to confirm your identity, you have to show your id. They are trying to go appointment only. It's not perfect or ideal for some people. If you have listened to the previous commissioner, the problem is and has always been staffing. Staffing is getting worse every day. The wheels are falling off. It takes people to manage your social security benefits, and people are leaving. The job is getting hard to do when you don't have the staff to do it. The programs are delicately intertwined with different systems and agencies. There are too many inexperienced hands in the cookie jar now. The jobs are difficult and hard to learn and turnover is high. Social Security needs a lifeline. Elon cannot fix it overnight

[yellow dahlia]

26. I will not provide a picture ID (online) for SS!

That will enable Eloon and his hacker punks to have the ability to use facial recognition on us.

The woman I spoke w/ in my local office today said we will not be required to upload a picture.

I am concerned that you are providing a counter narrative to that information. Why would you think it is okay to provide the ability for facial recognition to the same hackers who have just accessed every bit of our personal and protected data?

I plan on following up on this, as I stated in my OP.

[Puppyjive]

57. You don't have to upload your id

You just won't be able to use the online services. You can't get information from the agency without proof that you are you. I'm not a hacker, but believe what you want.

[yellow dahlia]

59. What you are saying is contrary to what the woman at Soc Security told me yesterday.

As I understand it, I will be able to continue to access "My Social Security" account online by signing in w/ my username and password. I am concerned that you are encouraging people to do things that are counter intuitive.

[Puppyjive]

61. The people that answer the phone

Don't always get it right. There is very little training on how the online services operate. You can believe who you want. The people who do answer the phone are underpaid and overwhelmed with their very difficult jobs.

[yellow dahlia]

30. And another thing - Elon should not be involved AT ALL!

He is not trying to "fix" anything. But he is surely trying to break things.

If Eloon and his goons break Social Security, then they can justify selling it off in privatization.

[Rebl2]

24. I switched

over to login.gov last fall, but it never asked me to upload a picture. I have never even heard of that. That part sounds like a scam.

[PragmaticLiberal]

34. Its not a scam.

My mom had to do it during the Biden administration as well.

SS required an ID a few months after my mom switched over to login.gov

[pfitz59]

25. Never reply or click a link on an SS Email or text.

Always go to the website. ALL SS correspondence is recorded there.

[NewLarry]

27. I've been using login.gov

since I first signed up for SS, about 2 years ago. It's worked well so far. I've also used it for some VA stuff with no issues.

Of course, YMMV

[Alice Kramden]

28. TY for this info - n/t

[littlemissmartypants]

29. Thanks so much for sharing this, yellow dahlia. ...

I have been so hesitant to make any inquiries because I am afraid of calling attention to myself. I am just being paranoid, I guess. Thank you.

[Chemical Bill]

38. Just 'cause we're paranoid...

Musk could still be out to get us.

[choie]

32. I'm surprised there's still an IG to tell.

Thanks for such an informative post.

[yellow dahlia]

39. Well that is a whole other story.

I researched who the IG is. The organizational chart shows that the acting IG is someone named Michelle Anderson, who is several tiers down the hierarchy.

You will probably not be surprised to know that many of the upper level positions are currently unfilled.

Here is the organizational chart url, in case you are a wonk, like me.
https://www.ssa.gov/org/coss.htm

[choie]

44. That be a whole lot of vacancies!

Thanks for sharing.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

37. Social Security keeps saying that they

will stop allowing the old username and password logins at some point, and only allow logins using either ID.me or Login.gov credentials.

But they have been saying this for months, and still haven't disallowed the old logins (usernames created before September 18, 2021). At some point they will stop allowing those usernames, but with millions of people still using them, that may be difficult.

If you already verified your identity with them, the SSA has a short video that shows you how to convert it to a Login.gov account.

[yellow dahlia]

40. And apparently there are conflicting answers to this status.

When I logged in yesterday, I didn't opt for going to login.gov. What if I got part way through, and they asked me for a photo...and I didn't do it? Would I lose the ability to access the "old way"?

I will keep on this.

[RobinA]

65. Maybe Thery Are Phasing

in using login. Two months ago I logged in the old way, no problem. A month ago I couldn't log in the old way, I had to start over with login. It was not a problem, no picture required.

[Americanme]

41. I've been drawing social security for about a year

I switched to login.gov last year, no picture was required. So far, I have had no problems.

[swong19104]

45. Just a quick note regarding facial recognition

Facial recognition, as used on some iPhones (and, I’m guessing, Android devices), uses. LiDAR technology, which maps a 3-D image of your face. You can’t scan a photo with facial recognition because a photo is 2-D.

[yellow dahlia]

46. That makes sense. Thank you.

One of the DUer's the other day said he/she had to share a video of themselves in order to accomplish the ID process. I thought that was very sketchy.

Isn't it unfortunate that we find ourselves in these dubious times?

[Attilatheblond]

47. Upload photo? Elon's hackers have all our data. Maybe some of the kids went rouge and are making fake ID's on the side?

Wouldn't put it past 'em. Not gonna upload any photos for those budding criminals to use for what ever.

[yellow dahlia]

55. My concern is facial recognition.

These guys are also linked to AI. Where is that all going?

Remember the movie Minority Report?

[Attilatheblond]

56. AND, the computer whiz kids might be able to put our faces on videos of crimes caught on cameras

I remember Minority Report AND Enemy of the State.

[Random Boomer]

50. The login.gov transition is at least a year old

I changed to the new login method last year, well before Trump took office. There's nothing the least bit nefarious about it.

[BajaDoll]

52. Problems logging in to SS

I just tried to log in to SS using my login.gov name and password that I have used for 10 years and it let me in. When I got into SS it was wanting me to verify my ID with a picture among other things. I got a "your camera is blocked" message when I tried to take a picture (tried about 5 times, restarted my phone ...). My camera works fine, has all the right permissions enabled and has never encountered a problem before uploading ID's. I am hoping that there is still something wonky on my end and I will try again tomorrow but I have a feeling this was not a glitch. As of now I am unable to access my account that I have had for over 10 years.

[Prairie_Seagull]

53. Doing yeoman's work yellow dahlia. Thank you.

man am I getting old or what. Yeoman, who says that.

[yellow dahlia]

54. Thank you.

It is a familiar phrase to me.

[Smokster]

60. This might be helpful ?

https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2024/#7-2024-1

Friday, July 12, 2024
For Immediate Release
Mark Hinkle, Press Officer
[e-mail]

Social Security Announces Upcoming Changes to Accessing Online Services

Agency Transitioning Authentication Services to Login.gov

Today the Social Security Administration announced that 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. Over five million of these account holders have already transitioned to Login.gov.

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.

“my Social Security is a safe and secure way for people to do business with us,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley. "We're excited to transition to Login.gov to access our online services, streamlining the process and ease of use for the public across agencies."

Account holders are encouraged to sign-in now. When the user logs in, they will be presented with an option to easily transition to Login.gov. Once their account is successfully linked, a confirmation screen will appear, and they will have immediate access to their personal my Social Security services or other service that they were attempting to access.

Existing Login.gov or ID.me account holders do NOT need to create a new account or take any action.

[yellow dahlia]

67. Thank you.

I am wondering why some people report that login.gov is requiring them to provide a photo ID.

I am wondering if some of the process was changed by doge influence of late.

I will continue to try and get answers.

It is unfortunate that there is so much uncertainty regarding our Social Security. I still need to figure out why I got an email from them that appears dubious.

[mucholderthandirt]

69. I was not able to log in the other day with my old username and password (made five years ago).

I had to make a new Login.gov "account" to sign in. I did not want to have to do this, as I fear it is only going to be used against me, and now they have my cell phone number. Before I got a code through email (which I don't care they have, it's always at home). I didn't have to upload anything. I think this part may only be for new to SS people. The government knows damned well who I am.