topic Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀 in Community Chat

😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

newziesuzie — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:45:00 GMT

Following up on this topic

discussed here in the past

I saw this on Facebook today.

😊

http://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/2016/08/a-tgb-extra-good-news-about-social-security.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TimeGoesBy+%28TIME+GOES+BY%29

"Good News About Social Security...
...and you helped make it happen.

Remember two weeks ago when I told you about a new requirement at the Social Security website? Here it is as explained in an email from that federal agency:

“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."

Because only 27 percent of people 65 and older own cell phones, this was idiotic; it locked millions of people out of their own information.

I gave you a couple of email addresses where you could send your objections, including the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Now look at what has happened.

Yesterday, a press release arrived from that Committee. Let me quote some of it --

”Following efforts from U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Claire McCaskill, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, seniors will once again be able to access their Social Security accounts online without needing to have a cell phone.

“Senators Collins and McCaskill sent a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) last week urging immediate action to roll back a new policy that required text message authentication for seniors to access their “my Social Security” account online.

“While noting the need for enhanced security, Senators Collins and McCaskill were concerned that using text message authentication as the only means of guaranteeing an individual’s access to their account put an undue burden on seniors, many of whom do not own a cell phone.

“Following the letter from Collins and McCaskill, as well as feedback from customers around the country, the SSA announced it is rolling back the policy that would have limited access for some users."

Letter Senators McCaskill and Collins sent to the the acting director of Social Security here [pdf - https://www.collins.senate.gov/sites/default/files/SCA_SSA_COLVIN_08_12_16.pdf].

Pertinent blog post at the Social Security website - http://blog.socialsecurity.gov/update-to-new-online-security/#more-1637.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

chickenbutt — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:48:08 GMT

Thanks for that update! That's good news, indeed.

I have a cell phone, and have had one for over 22 years, but I still don't give that number out frivolously. I wouldn't give it to any business or gov't entity, just because I don't want my number used without my permission.

Of course, that matters less now days. I've had the same cell phone number for those entire 22+ years and never, until this year, have I gotten spam calls. Now I get at least one almost every day and some days more. It ires me to no end.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

CelticCrafter — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:02:47 GMT

Glad to see that because I don't give my cell number to anyone but immediate family and extremely close friends. That happens to be about 12 people.

I did get the email but ignored it. If I needed to access my account I would have had to call them.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

KingstonsMom — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:13:31 GMT

@newziesuzie

Yay! Further proof that the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

I can see where this would be a real hardship to seniors and the disabled who may not have cell phones or texting ability.

Thanks for the update!

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

sunshine45 — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:16:27 GMT

actually, i like the cell phone feature for an extra layer of protection!

nice though that they made it accessible for those who dont have cell phones or who dont want to provide their cell phone number.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

chickenbutt — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:23:05 GMT

Sunshine45 wrote:
actually, i like the cell phone feature for an extra layer of protection!
nice though that they made it accessible for those who dont have cell phones or who dont want to provide their cell phone number.

Yeah, that's the thing - choice. I like that very much and think it's appropriate to offer it, but not make it compulsory.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Mz iMac — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:50:08 GMT

Thanks for the update @newziesuzie. Very informative.

I received the email but ignored same. Matter of fact I deleted it.

I do not have a cell phone nor do I plan on ever getting one. Landline w/answering machine suits me just fine.

I wonder how long it will take SS to send out another email advising us of the "rollback????"

I know quite a few seniors who actually deleted their SS account because of the first email........no cell phone.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

sunshine45 — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:53:00 GMT

my mom is 75. about five years ago or so we FORCED her to get a cell phone and now she realizes what a good thing it is to have, especially when you are in a car or out and about. or traveling.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Mz iMac — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 18:07:20 GMT

I cannot FORCE my 92 yr young mother to do anything. She doesn't have a cell phone either. When my siblings & I told her we would like her to have a Jitterbug cell, she told us all don't bother.....

"you don't miss or need what you never had" was her response.

My baby brother turns to me & says, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Thankfully, my mother is very healthy. She's currently in RIO enjoying the Olympics as well as learning how to Samba.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

SharkE — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 18:25:08 GMT

Thanks for the follow up !

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

sunshine45 — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 18:25:50 GMT

@Mz iMac

that is wonderful that she is in RIO...i am jealous. is she enjoying the sights and the games?

i definitely dont believe in "you cant teach an old dog new tricks....." my mom didnt know anything about computers and now she uses one all day long!

we just dont feel safe with her driving (especially longer distances) without her having a cell phone and AAA. it is also great for when her electricity is out. she has a simple flip phone that she can take pictures with or get simple text messages.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

maestra — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:13:14 GMT

Thank goodness! DH and I had to resurrect our Tracphones to get set up for SSA accounts online.

All I could think of was my 94 year old mother, who has 2 cell phones and lost both somewhere in her home.

It seems my brother and I both gave her a cell phone at 2 diferent times, thinking it would be a good idea for her. It wasn't.

Forget computers. She's been through 3 of them and all the free tech assistance both her 20 something grandsons could give her. Nope.

Phones (rechargable types in the house) are also becoming a challenge. Try to tell her that, tho.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Mz iMac — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:34:55 GMT

@sunshine45

My mother is a world traveller. Not her first trip to So. America but her 2nd to the Olympics. She also went to the Beijing Olympics. She is having a ball. Rio is one of her favorite countries because of the carnaval atmosphere.

"it is also great for when her electricity is out."

Landlines work when the electric is out. At least the ones using Comcast or Verizon FIOS.

The only thing my mother uses her comp for is video chats w/her greatgrands & grandchildren. That's it. She perfers to write letters to rest of the family. She has a Senior Comp which she got from AARP for free on her 90th birthday!

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

sunshine45 — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:50:37 GMT

@Mz iMac

my mom has comcast......her landline phone will last about 8 hours with a battery backup if the electricity/cable goes out. after that they are dead.

that WOW computer looks nice!

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

cecesnana — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 18:49:35 GMT

Thanks for the update!

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Allegheny — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 21:25:48 GMT

@sunshine45 @Mz iMac

Hey ladies, I need some information. We have Comcast (xfinity) service for phones, TV and computer. During power outages everything does down. No service to our phones, even when I remove the cordless phones and plug in an old type phone.

What are we doing wrong?

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Allegheny — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 21:42:30 GMT

@newziesuzie@Mz iMac

Never mind I just figured it out. We just switched to Comcast 2 years ago and didn't even realize that we had to purchase back up batteries to put in our modem for back up phone service during power outages.

My husband is looking into this, it gets complicated, because we also have xfinity voice service and there appears to be provisions if you have that service also that we weren't aware .

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Mz iMac — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 21:49:48 GMT

@Allegheny

You need to contact Comcast to let them know. Ask to speak to a Tier 2 or 3 representative.

Depending on which state or city you live in, the landline (cordless) cable batteries are suppose to last from 8-24 hours from continious usage during power outages.

I live in Comcast country - So Jersey. It's headquarters are in Philly. Local customers get the latest equipment available from them.

EDIT: OOPS! You type faster than I do.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

nomless — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 21:47:48 GMT

@Allegheny wrote:
@sunshine45 @Mz iMac

Hey ladies, I need some information. We have Comcast (xfinity) service for phones, TV and computer. During power outages everything does down. No service to our phones, even when I remove the cordless phones and plug in an old type phone.
What are we doing wrong?

To use an"old type" phone that you plug into a phone jack in the wall, you need landline service. If you have landline service through Comcast or another provider, call and discuss the problem with them. Maybe try a different phone cable first.

Re: 😀CELL PHONES NOT REQUIRED FOR SSA SITE ACCESS😀

Allegheny — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 22:00:58 GMT

@nomless @Mz iMac

Lol, I think I am getting too old and feeble minded for all this stuff.

Based on a 2013 article in Consumer World most cable companies were no longer providing the original phone back up battery. You now have to purchase it.

So guess we will either buy one from Comcast or find one that fits the modem and purchase elsewhere. DH is actually looking to purchasing our own modem rather then paying the monthly rental from Comcast. We know an installer for Comcast and will probably hit him up for advice on which modem to consider.